Essay 3: Final Draft

Marion Philippe

English 8

Mr. Salsich

10-01-09

Bad Girl!:

A Thought on Calpurnia’s Lecture to Scout

#1: In life, we always criticize people until we meet them. #2: However, do we respect them all the time? Are we at least courteous to the people? #3: In a way, these two points come up a lot in Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird. #4: In pages 32-33, Lee brings up this character Cal who teaches Scout her first life lesson.

TS: In the third chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird, Cal, Scout’s nanny, shows Scout two very important manners. SD: The first manner would be respect, which she feels strongly about because “when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic,“ (Lee, 32). CM: When Walter poured syrup all over his food, Scout said, “…What in the sam hill is he doing,” (Lee,32) which cost her more than a lecture. CM: Cal told Scout to come in the kitchen instead of going back out with the others, which saved Scout from humiliation. SD: Also, respect was not the only point used in the chapter; courtesy was a big one too. CM: “…If he wants to eat up the tablecloth you let him, you hear?” (Lee,32), which means that if a guest does or says something, no words should come out of your mouth even though you disagree. CM: When Scout will learn her lesson to be courteous, she will hopefully not make the same mistake again. CS: If Scout has company over, will she respect or be courteous to them?

TS: Scout and I can relate because I have been in the same situation as her. SD: One day when I was five years old, some friends came and I wasn’t so thrilled about it. CM: I wasn’t courteous nor respectful and got a free trip to the corner. CM: Like Scout, I got to learn my first life lesson. SD: When everybody was laughing and having fun, I sat there listening from the stairs, which felt like nobody was there for me. CM: Loneliness came over me, and I wondered, “What do I do? Should I go out there?” CM: No matter what I thought it was wrong because the moment I realized that I could be out there having fun and be respectful, nothing would stop me from having the best time of my life. CS: If everybody would be courteous or respectful to each other, what would it be like?

#1: Respect and being courteous are two valuable manners to have. #2: We should never disrespect people for what they do, how they look like or for who they are. #3: Even if we don’t like the person next to us, we should always respect them or what would the world be like? #4: If Scout can listen to Calpurnia, we should be able to listen too.