Blog 6

C. How do you think the story (what you read so far) would have changed if Scout and Jem had a mother present in their lives? Would it change for the better or for the worse? Explain your thoughts.

I think it depends how the Mom would be raising the children at the moment like there would be a different influence in their life.

If their mother was like Aunt Alexandra or most Maycomb women. They would probably agree that their father shouldn't defend Tom Robinson. The reason why I say that is because the type of influence that is in their life. They'd also probably be racist to negroes. I'd imagine the mom almost the same as Atticus, because I doubt Atticus in the first place would be with a women whose racist or any type of disrespectful actions. Things would change as Aunt Alexandra wouldn't have come to live with them. Another good thing is that the femine influence on Scout and the grown up influence on Jem would come in effect, because Atticus is away a lot and she could take care of Scout and Jem. I know Calpurnia usually takes the motherly role which is good because it makes Scout and Jem less racist but the book wouldn't have a good climax anymore if the mom was alive. I think that Calpurnia symbolizes more than a mom or guardian to Atticus as she takes care of them beyond a mom (hard to explain). But than again I believe Scout and Jem would become even better children with the mom being there.

In conclusion it really depends on how Scout and Jem's mother was. Like I said it depends on the influence she would give.