Tension at the Trial

Lee creates tension by the way she shows the seating arrangements. For example, the white people who were let into the courthouse first all sat downstairs in the best seats and the black people who had to wait for the white people to enter had to sit seperately, in the balconies. It was not just black people, however, Scout, Jem and Dill were there too, which implied that they weren't supposed to be there, adding the feeling that the children may get into trouble which causes a slight increase in the overall tension of the case. The fact that the white and black people are separated adds to the importance of the trail as they are sat in a formal arrangment. This reminds the reader that if Atticus and Tom Robinson don't win the jury's opinions there will be serious consequences for Tom, who the reader is led to support.

This tension is added to by the revalation of the evidence. The evidence is revealed in quite a slow pace, allowing the reader to figure out the point before it is mentioned in the book which causes anticipation. In chapter 18, the trial continues. We see Mayella herself take the stand. Lee makes us feel sorry for her, as she is nothing but a frightened and uneducated "child" (although she is over 18, she is extremely immature socially). Then, Atticus builds his own case - the case of a victim who was not raped but beaten by her own father. He essentially breaks down the prosecutions case, clearing up the significance of the fact that she was injured on the right side of her body - something Tom Robinson could not have done. She breaks down, but does not change her story at all. Instead, she begins a tirade in the courtroom and the prosecution rests leaving Atticus to call his only witness, Tom himself, to the stand.
The build-up in these two chapters is that of a standard courtroom drama. The reader gets to hear the evidence presented just as they would in an actual court of law. Like the jury sitting in the stands, or like Jem and Scout in the balcony, we see each aspect of the night in question revealed to us. As the truth becomes clearer to us, we should begin to side with the defense (if we have not already begun to do so) even though we know that the outcome, given the social situation and racial tensions of the era, will likely not be in Tom's favor.

Chapter Three - The Compromise

In this chapter, we meet two more characters, Burris Ewell and Walter Cunningham. Burris Ewell is described by Scout to have 'cooties', a dark grey neck, the backs of his hands are rusty and his fingernails are black. He only goes to school for the first day of each year and is very rude to the teacher, he is easily angered. No one argues with him, they accept that he doesn't obey the law. Miss Caroline tries to argue her opinion, but the class tell her not to bother, but she is reluctant to let the subject go.
Walter Cunningham is a more obscure character. On our first encounter with him, Miss Caroline offers him money, but he declines this offer. Scout explains to Miss Caroline he doesn't take what he can't pay back, and Miss Caroline whips her with a ruler and gets her to stand in the corner, which revisits Miss Caroline's stubborn character and pushes the reader more off of her side.
When Scout goes home, Culpurnia, the family cook, is nice to her. Atticus asks Scout to read with him, Scout explains she's been asked not to and asks to not go to school anymore. They agree that if Scout continues to go to school, they can carry on reading secretly.

Chapter Two - Day One of School

The chapter starts off with Dill leaving back to the Meridian. This adds a sense of lonliness to Scout, especially as she attends her first day of school and this feeling of lonliness is revisited when her brother Jem tells her not to talk to him at school. We also meet Scout's teacher, Miss Caroline.
Miss Caroline is presented to have a very closed mind, if anyone has a different opinion to her, they're wrong. This is highlighted when she learns that Scout is literate, so she tells her to stop learning, because she'ss not suppoesd to learn to write until the 3rd grade. Scout is clearly upset by this, and she gets punished for arguing her point. This puts the reader on Scout's side, showing that the author is annoyed or was annoyed about an education system, and the discouragement of learning ahead, the idea that students shouldn't stand out, they should all be at the same level.

Chapter One - Maycomb And The Radley House

In this opening chapter, the text is based around introductions, to both the main characters and the town of Maycomb, especially the Radley House. The first character we meet and the narrator of the book is a young girl called Scout, or her full name, Jean Louise Finch. We are also introduced to her father and her brother, Atticus and Jem. Scout and Jem seem to have a strong relationship at the start of the book, with a typical brother/sister relationship. It also seems apparent from the language that Scout is very educated for her age, as sophisticated language is used throughout her narration. In this first chapter, Jem and Scout meet another young boy, Dill, or his full name, Charles Baker Harris. They become friends pretty quickly and later on in the chapter Dill dares Jem to go and touch the Radley House.
The Radley House is continally described to be sinister and dark, "The old house was the same, droopy and sick". It is apparent that the children are scared but curious of this place. Jem is reluctant to do the dare, but we lean he is easily persuaded though the questioning of his bravery, showing that he is a proud character. He runs quickly and touches the house, sprinting back to the safety of his own house followed by the spectating Dill and Scout.
This chapter also tells the story of Boo Radley, adding to the spookiness of the house, "Boo was bout six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch".

Creative Writing

The night mist is settling above the long, wet grass. An unknown noise is echoing from the mossy trees. Around me is a footpath, never ending and dull, yet full of personality. I can leave this secret world of mine and travel deep into the unkown, because before me stands my dream. The sound of distinguished waves breaking, I can see a recognisable spread ocean.

The Queen's Jubilee

Bunting shimmered with light from the blazing sun as it fluttered in the familiar, gentle wind. Red, white and blue. The colours of my nation and the flag I salute. Chugging boats heading down the murky water of the Thames, the pride of the commonwealth hidden within the music titled "Sing", composed by Gary Barlow, performed, shared with the World. Booming voices and incredible talents, all brought together in celebration of the past 60 years, for more has been accomplished than the consecutive rein of our monarch. The fast progression of technology, the developing fashions and the different styles of music. Advancing, changing, adapting to the newfound lifestyles of the modern people.