5H GSAW Chapter 14

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

GSAW Chapter 14

Summary

Jean Louise visits Uncle Jack, who immediately notices something is worrying her. She explains that everyone seems to be losing their minds about racial issues, which she knows from having seen Atticus and Hank at the citizens’ council meeting. Jack laughs at her, which infuriates her. He explains that her question is like someone walking into a revolution and asking, “What’s the matter?” Atticus isn’t a racist, Jack claims—at least not in the way Jean Louise thinks.

In his own circuitous fashion, Jack tells a number of stories that at first seem unrelated but demonstrate the importance of Southern history to the current race conflict. He explains that the South is full of Anglo-Saxons who base their identity in their blood ties to one another, and the presence of free blacks threatens to disrupt this identity. Jean Louise still doesn’t understand why this justifies Atticus’ presence at the citizens’ council, and Jack keeps answering her in riddles. He compares the current turmoil in the South to birthing pains and says that a new facet of civilization is being born.

Jack tells her to leave, think over the issue for herself, and come back to him when she feels like her heart is being ripped in two and she can’t stand it any longer. She promises to return. After she leaves, Jack makes a phone call.

Short questions

Who is Rose Aylmer?

1. Uncle Jack's mother
2. Uncle Jack's cat
3. Uncle Jack's lover
4. Uncle Jack's neighbour

What did Mrs ECB once tried to get printed?

1. The obituary of a cow
2. A silly song that you ought to love cows
3. A love poem about Mr Underwood
4. An essay that stated cows go to heaven

According to Jack, why do the white people not want the black people to develop?

1. The white people don't want to share their land with them; they are too proud.
2. The white people are racist.
3. The white people don't want the black people to make money.
4. The white people blame the black people for everything that goes wrong.

Questions to discuss

Why does Jean Louise go to visit her Uncle Jack? What do you think she expects from her visit?

What are Uncle Jack's ideas about Maycomb’s history, his own political philosophy, and his view of the reason for the
escalating racial tension?

Why do you think Dr. Finch does not engage directly
with issues of race?

At the end of Part V, who do you think Dr. Finch calls on the phone? And why?