Ch 11: Mrs. Debose = The 3 dimensional character

The 3D character

      Like all of Harper Lee's characters, although fictional, Mrs. Dubose is a believable character.  She has flaws and failings; while still illustrating a realistic personality and persona of the 1930s.  Although Mrs. Dubose makes a brief appearance in the plot, she helps develop the story for the reader.  Mrs. Dubose can tell a story of her own as well.  When characters appear in small cameo roles, they can easily steal the show by creating a believable, relative, complicated, conflicted, and even likable character (despite their flaws). 

      The 3 Dimensional character is . . .

• flawed
• had his/her own story
• has a unique past
• irrational
• quirky
• often social
• an individual
• believable to the reader 

DIRECTIONS: 

While keeping the qualities in mind of a 3D character, create your own story for Mrs. Dubose.  Give her a back-story.  Think, what was Mrs. Dubose like before her addiction to morphine?  What illness does she have that initiated this need for pain relief?  How did she become addicted to drugs?  What inspired her to battle her addiction?  What was her upbringing like to develop her racist attitudes and beliefs?  Be sure to tell Mrs. Dubose's story in an authentic manner.  In this post you should:

1. Be creative
2. Consider dialect 
3. Use characterization
4. Remember Mrs. Dubose is not simply a bad person, think about her journey that may have led her to speak the way she does to Jem and Scout
5. Use evidence from the story to create your response (reference other characters, the time period, Southern lifestyle)
6. Keep in mind the 3D character guidelines from above 
7. This can be written in 1st person (Mrs. Dubose's POV, use "I") or 3rd person (Describe Mrs. Dubose's POV without using "I")

Ch 9 - 11: "Maycomb's Disease"

     How does Scout begin to experience racism in To Kill a Mockingbird throughout chapter 9?  Use at least two examples from the novel.  Finally, relate Scout's encounters with racism to the theme "loss of innocence." 

Ch 2: Character Analysis

Pick either Miss Caroline or Walter Cunningham to use for this post.  

Use 3 character traits from your toolbox to describe either Miss Caroline or Walter Cunningham.  Then find evidence from the text (a direct quotation) to support this trait.  Finally, explain how your direct quotation illustrates the character traits you picked for your character.

*All posts should use formal grammar and should be written in complete sentences.  

Ch 3: Ethical Issues

Ethics are the values or beliefs by which we live and make decisions every day. In Chapter 3, Atticus tells Scout that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”  This idea is sometimes stated as walking in someone else’s shoes.  When you look at the work through another person’s eyes, it helps you to understand why they do what they do.  This activity helps you apply the lessons from the novel to your own life.  It reminds you of the importance of sympathizing with others.  It also provides an opportunity for you to express yourself with your writing.

Directions: Consider a time when you or someone you know was able to see things from another point of view.  What happened?  What was the outcome?  What might have happened if you didn’t stop and look at it another way?  When responding to this post, keep in mind all classmates will see your response.  Please do not mention names of others and only share what you are comfortable with sharing.  

*All posts should use formal grammar and should be written in complete sentences.  

Ch 1: Prediction

1.     Predict . . . How do you think Jem, Scout's older brother broke his arm?  Take a wild guess using what you just learned about both siblings.  Use your imagination, but use at least 1 example from the novel to support your answer.

*All posts should use formal grammar and should be written in complete sentences.  

Ch 1: First Impressions

1.     What are your first impressions of the protagonist (main character), Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout?  Is she brave, annoying, curious, adorable, or endearing, etc.?  Describe your first impressions of Scout and use at least 2 examples from Ch 1 to support your answer. 

*All posts should use formal grammar and should be written in complete sentences.