To Kill a Mockingbird Book Response #1

     -Journal Entry-  

Jem Finch

                            

        Today was the first day of the school year, always a dreary time, our minds still buzzing with the warm summer adventures and long nights. Endless days of exploring and soaking up the baking hot sun. Now we were returning to school, in some ways this was good, seeing all our old friends and beginning another year of learning, but the long summer days still lured us back outside from our dull classrooms. This was not a typical back-to-school day. I am now in 5th grade, older than most everyone in the school, but not only that. Today was Scout's first day at school. Because Atticus is always working and busy, the job of taking Scout to school was then thrust on me. At first I was reluctant, I am not her babysitter, but enough coins had me persuaded. I tried to think back to my first day at school, surely I must have been better than how she was, but then again, she is Scout. I walk out at noontime to see Walter Cunningham tackled to the ground, Scout hitting him and pushing his face in the dirt. What a great way to start your first day. The poor kid looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in ages. Walter was smaller, no matter what started it, she should have known better. I invited him to our place for lunch. Again, Scout with her manner problems was sent to eat in the kitchen after a rude remark. She needs to learn that even though she doesn't mean what she says in a mean way, it comes out all wrong and people get offended. She needs to watch her mouth. 

          It was a pretty bad day for Scout, I heard her complaining to Atticus about never going to school again. She should know better then to ask for that but she just sees the world from the Scout way. Everything makes sense in her head and how things should be but in reality, they are much more complex. I guess it's because she's six, but it's very frustrating. Well, enough about Scout now, the more I think about her, the more she reminds me of my mother, just the little features like the way she looks and the way she smiles. Of course, Scout will never know this, she was too young to ever know our mother. She was only two years old when Mother died. I don't think about Mother too much. I like to remember how pretty she was and the good things but fantasies are always snapped when you have to come back to reality. Sulking and living in the past is not the way to live. It's easier for Scout, because she never met her she doesn't have to miss her ,but I do. I miss her a lot. Sometimes I let my mind wander and I wonder if she's looking down on us and watches us grow up. I miss you Mother.