Is Maycomb a good place to live?

Naturalist:
a. Do a research on the natural habitat of mockingbird. In your research, include the kind of flora and fauna you think exist in Maycomb and explain why the mockingbirds live in Maycomb.

Mockingbirds are renowned for their ability to mimic the songs of other songbirds. They serenade the neighbourhood for hours in the spring and summer, often at night by the light of a full moon or nearby street light, probably because of the hormonal changes that accompany mating and nesting during this time.

Originally natives of open scrub pine and oak forests of the West and Southeast, mockingbirds have edged northward over the last 30 years. They developed an affinity for mowed lawns and ornamental shrubs that offer them insects and berries they love to eat. They are very comfortable around people. They are not harmful at all as they only sing songs. The Mockingbird is the state bird of Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. Mockingbirds will live 4 to 12 years.

They are about 11 inches long -- the size of a robin but a bit thinner. Both sexes look alike. They are soft gray with paler breasts, marked with white wing bars and outer tail feathers. White patches under their wings are visible when they fly. They have long, thin beaks and long perky tails.

Mockingbirds love just about any fruiting shrub or tree, many of which you are likely to have in your yard already. Honeysuckle, a hedge of privet, dogwood, cherry trees and eleagnus are staples of many home landscapes. Cats, dogs, squirrels, other birds and wildlife are always harassed by the mockingbirds to protect its territory.

Five personality traits that describe Boo Radley would be innocent, protective, courageous, scary, and clever.

Boo Radley is quite innocent with the fact that he never steps outside the doors of his house in Maycomb County. He is protective because as the novel progresses, we see how he helps Scout and Jem throughout numerous events that transpire. He is courageous because he knows that if people saw him leave his house they would be all over him; interested to see him. He is scary and somewhat mysterious because no one has seen him for quite some time now. Various rumours about Boo and his life have spread throughout the novel. And lastly, Boo although he is not seen much, is quite clever with the fact that he leaves little objects inside the hole of the tree for Jem and Scout. It seems as though he plans what items he will leave-- however, once his brother patches up the hole, the objects then stop. However, that does not stop Boo from helping/gaining two friendships with Jem and Scout.

Interpersonal:
a. Conduct an interview with a friend (not from HCI) or family member. Find out from their point of view on prejudice and discrimination. Either record the interview or write out the interview transcript.

Interviewer (W.M): How would you like to start expressing your opinion?

Interviewee (I.V.): I would like to start with the family. Sibling rivalry normally begins with the feeling of prejudice and discrimination from the child who is not being favoured. The parent should try not to make it so obvious in giving special treatments or privileges. Any such extra benefits should be explained patiently to all children.

WM: What other things do you want to add?

IV: Oh yes, if step-parents are involved, the situation may become disharmonious and there may even be fighting among step-children,

WM: What about in the school environment?

IV: It is to be expected that a student from a minority race would face prejudicial behavior from other students, at least initially.

WM: Do you think this is a certainty?

IV: Well, I know for sure that a Malaysian student in another school was picked upon by the rest because he was one of only two Malaysians in the whole class.

WM: What has happened to him?

IV: There is a happy ending in his case. Somehow, he learned how to interact with other students and even caught on fine with a lot of his seniors. Those seniors even helped him to do some of his assignments and prepare for some of his tests.

WM: Is that all you have you say about schools? Besides the racial bias, what other points can you think of?

IV: I feel sometimes prejudice and discrimination can take the form of bullying an intimidation. This is not necessary on the racial basis but more likely on size and number of friends. Those who are bigger size and have a lot of friends are normally safe.

WM: Do you want to say anything about working people i.e. adults?

IV: Whenever I think of working life, I always remember what my mum has told me before. She said that practically all females have to work extra hard to gain promotions or to achieve success. She said that it is well known throughout the world that prejudice and discrimination against working female are the norm.

WM: What is the conclusion as to your previous answer and overall summary?

IV: Well, I don’t really know how the working environment is but I can say for sure that in most families and in schools prejudice and discrimination exist one way or the other.