Jem's Diary

Dear Diary,

Sneaked up to the trial of Tom Robinson today with Dill and Scout. We sat at the coloured balcony with Reverend Skye.

Mr. Bob Ewell and Miss Mayella sure can lie. But Atticus got some skill. He revealed Miss Mayella had nobody be proper with her when he asked her if she had any friends! And Mr. Ewell does things to her, she said so herself.

Tom Robinson said Mayella jumped on him. I believe hi. Atticus showed it at the beginning when he asked about the last time he went to jail. I really thought we got him innocent. But that jury sure has some shadow of doubts. They charged him guilty! I don't think it's fair.

Why charge him because he's not our colour? Atticus told me it's because the world is full of ugly things. And that what I had seen today was just the start. He says when a white man charges a black man, the white man is trash. I hope they don't take Tom's life. Atticus says he has a good chance of another trial. But it will always be his color that will be judged.

Funny thing though. Calpurnia found lots of food outside the house. She said all of them were from all of the friends of Tom Robinson. I think they were thanking Atticus for his attempt, althougth he could not win the case. And Mr. Ewell gave him a real good wash of his spit. He said he was going to get Atticus. But I don't believe his; he's only angry, that's why.

-J.E.M.

To Kill A Mockingbird Cover

This is my version of the cover for To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

The tree at the back is the oak tree that a person can't even hug around near the Radley property. I had emphasized its bark in the picture. There is a shadow that forms into a man holding a knife on the oak tree. This represents Mr. Ewell trying to attack the Finch siblings when they were on their way home. (They were near the oak tree at that time it happened).

There is a broken pocket watch hanging down the page. This is one of the many gifts that Boo Radley gave to the children. I chose the watch as it no only represents time, it represents time that is frozen because of flaws and dilemmas. Like Segregation and the Great Depression.

But it could also be the porch swing belonging to the children, meaning their innocence. There is a mockingbird on the swing shocked to see the figure. Will it fly away in time?

And lastly, the title is scratched on the bark as it represents what Scout and Jem did when they marked the oak tree to tell everyone else the presents were only theirs.

-MAYCOMB COUNTY CHRONICLE-

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