Friday, May 13, 2011
Blog #9: Violence in To Kill a Mockingbird
At one point in To Kill a Mockingbird we are introduced to lynchings, a brutal reality of the times. Tom Robinson was shot 17 times in the book. The film version softens this significantly by leaving that part out and saying he was shot dead when the white gaurds were "trying to wound him" to get him to stop running. Why did the film producers choose to change the ending? Someone had to make the decision to leave the brutal facts out ----like being shot 17 times, out. What does getting shot 17 times say about the shooters? Do you agree with the producers decision? Do you think this could have really happened in real life during the 30's? How about now? Are there similar news stories you have heard where this kind of violence was discovered? Bob Ewell spits directly in Atticus's face. How would you react? What does Atticus's response say about his character?
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At one point in To Kill a Mockingbird we are introduced to lynchings, a brutal reality of the times. Tom Robinson was shot 17 times in the book. The film version softens this significantly by leaving that part out and saying he was shot dead when the white gaurds were "trying to wound him" to get him to stop running. Why did the film producers choose to change the ending? To show a better mining in the words people say so you can understand more of how people did not car for black people’s lives .Someone had to make the decision to leave the brutal facts out ----like being shot 17 times, out. What does getting shot 17 times say about the shooters? They don’t mine killing someone and they wanted to make sheer they where deed they give no mercy. Do you agree with the producers decision? People also couldn’t show a black person get shot 17 times people would get made and they cud get into a lot of trouble. Theirs time when not showing but saying something makes a bigger impact. Do you think this could have really happened in real life during the 30's? I do think that it cud happen in the 30s I think people would just shout black people for fun and even when deed they would still do it. How about now? People are still racist but the law is enforced more and people in jell can’t do what they want to the point of shouting other people. Are there similar news stories you have heard where this kind of violence was discovered? If a person is in jell the guards are not the problem you would have to look out for. Most of the death is caused by gangs and proving loyalty or hatred. Bob Ewell spits directly in Atticus's face. How would you react? It would be a sign of a threat an as a person I would have to show my power ether by worlds no bad once or if it comes to it with fists. What does Atticus's response say about his character? It cud say he is a good person or he is dome bay letting hen go with no warning to just mess with hem not his children.
ReplyDeleteI think they changed it because they didn't want it to seem like they just unloaded on Tom because he was black. Shooting a person 17 times says that the shooter dosen't care about what happens to the target. No because it makes is seem not as bad as what it really was like and how people treated blacks. Yes I think events like this happend in the 30's. I think it still happens today just not as often. I think news reporters find things like this, but the people that control the news don't let it go on air. I would have shoved him, yelled at him, and then left. It says he is very peaceful and dosen't want to cause any trouble.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bryan that someone who shoots 17 times isn't showing any mercy. Shooting a black person like that would cause alot of trouble in today's society.
ReplyDeleteI think the producers changed the ending because they didn't want to "scare" the viewers with the extreme amounts of violence. Some viewers of this movie would be turned away from it due to that. I also think that they wanted to give everyone a "fare shot" in life in the movie, so they didn't display that they wanted to take out their aggressions on the black people. The producers of the movie wanted to show that the guards weren't cruel, but had to do what they needed to do. I think it was wrong for telling it differently in the movie than in the book because Harper Lee wanted it told the way she wrote it to show the danger of being an African-American person in the time period. This could most definatly have happend in the 30's because it was right in the middle of slavery and the segregation. Whites wanted nothing to do with the blacks and so they did everything in their power to make thier lives miserable. I don't think that it would fly if it happend now. It happens quite a bit in gang areas but in a jail, the law would overthrow you and you would be severly punished. If someone ever spit in my face, I personally would go back at them to try defend myself. I can not hold my composure well enough to just shrug it off, I would want revenge on this person. It shows that Atticus is a very humble person and doesn't want any danger in his life, so he doesn't start anything.
ReplyDeleteThe film producers choose to change the ending because they probably thought that it wasn’t very necessary to include such details, although they shouldn’t have left it out completely because that part is very important. Being shot 17 times by the guards was not needed because it doesn’t take 17 shots to kill a person; it only takes one. This shows how brutal the guards were, and how they react to a black person trying to escape during the 30's. I disagree and agree with the producers. I disagree because they shouldn’t have left the scene out and say that Tom was shot dead. I agree with the fact that it shouldn’t have taken them 17 shots to kill a person so they were trying to make it not sound so harsh in the film. Something like this could have happened during the 30’s, but the guards should have been smarter and not wasted so many bullets because it doesn’t take that many shots to kill a person. Now days, something like this would never happen because there is so much protection and the structures are so well built, that you would never be able to get by with trying to escape, let alone be shot if you tried to escape. If someone spit in my face, I would like to say that I could hold it together, but I would probably end doing something back. This shows Atticus has a very good composure for not fighting back and for being a very strong person.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna and the fact that people wouldn't like it very much if they did show Tom being shot 17 times because that would be very mean and disgraceful. Even though the white men didn't like Tom, it doesn't mean that they had to shoot him that many times. Racism was a really big deal back then, and the whites and blacks didn't get along as well as what they should have, but that shouldn't cause white people to be so cruel or rude to a black person. What would have happened if it would have been the opposite way and the black person was shooting the white person? I don't think that the black person would have been so mean and shot the white person that many times.
ReplyDeleteI think the film producers changed the ending because I think they didn’t want to scare people by giving the details about how he got shot. If the shooters shot Tom Robinson 17 times that’s probably telling you that they really don’t like Tom Robinson. I thought it was stupid that they shot him 17 times because it wasn’t necessary to put that in the book. They should have only shot him 2 or 3 times so then he would only be injured badly instead of him dying. I don’t think this could have happened in the 1930’s because I never heard a lot of violence back then. I think there would be a higher chance of happening it today because there are a lot of whites that don’t like the colored people. A new story with this kind of violence happened 2 weeks ago when we finally found Osama Vin Laden and we shot him multiple times because he was the leader of attacking all the buildings on 9/11. If Bob Ewell spit on my face I would probably punch him because he shouldn’t have spit on my face on the first place. When Bob Ewell spit on Atticus face he walked away and was not scared of him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with katlynn because they changed the ending because they thought it wasnt necessary to add details about Tom Robinsons death.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why the film producers changed that part was because they didn't want to put all of the "Details" in the movie because it could scare little kids that are watching. I think what that says about the shooters is that they didn't just want to wound Tom Robinson, they wanted to kill him so they shot so many times to kill him. I agree with the producer because he is trying to leave out scary and horrible things out of the production.I don't think that could really happen in the thirties because they didn't have that nice of "guns" I guess I can say and the guns don't hold that many bullets in them. I think we could if we had the right guns because now a days they have gun that can shoot more than 17 rounds. Well, to be honest I don't really watch the news but what I here from my mom is that their are some similar news. If I was a guy I would probably punch, but being a girl I would probably just yell at him and slap him maybe. That he's strong and he won't let anyone get in his way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ross. The reason why I agree with Ross is because if you watch it then you're going to think that they're just doing it cause he's black.
ReplyDeletei agree with all the people that would fite or yell at Bob Ewell but it also shows that people dont have reaspect for each other. it also tels us people are or would get very angry and have anger problomes. it would be funy but it would be the rong thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThey chose to change the ending because maybe the shooting was really bad and they maybe did not want anyone to see how bad it was. Someone shooting someone 17 times is not very good at all let alone shooting someone just once. It tells me that the shooters did not really like Tom Robinson and they really wanted him dead. No I don't agree because it is a very mean thing to kill someone. Yes I do think it could have really happened because people didn't trust the blacks and if they tried to escape they would shoot them a lot to make sure they were dead. No I don't think much now because if someone tried to escape prison they would only shoot a couple times, not 17. If someone spit in my face, I would not ignore them I would say why they did that and I would yell at them because they really didn’t need to do it, even if I did do something. It says that Atticus doesn’t really care what other people think. He could try to ignore some people, but he chooses to listen and talk to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ross because he said the shooter dosen't care what happens to the target and that is very true.
ReplyDeleteI think the producers cut that out because they maybe didn't want the people to see how horrible someone can be.I don't agree with the decision because there was a reason she wrote it that way.It probably could've happened but not to that extreme as using 17 bullets just to kill a man down.Today it would never happen just cause we have other ways of finding or killing people that it would be a waste of bullets.There is similar but like I said unless it was something unforgivable not to that extreme.I don't know how I would react I guess it would just be on the spur of the moment.My guess would be that I would hold it in.Atticus is a person who doesn't care what people say about him.
ReplyDeletei think that the movie version said he was shot dead instead of getting shot 17 times because im guessing that the movie was made probably later than the book and when the book was published it wasnt near as big of deal as when the movie came out.also i think that the author probably kinda regretted saying and puting in the book that he was shot 17 times instead of just saying he was shot and killed. back then they had harsher feelings towards blacks than we do now even tho we still have racial problems dont get me wrong, but i do think it is a true act that he could have been shot 17 times showing how much they didnt care about colored folks.
ReplyDeletei agree with bryan on this one because it isnt even right to shoot someone let alone 17 times is ridiculous. also i agree with ross about how this would go over in todays society
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle when he said it was stupid that they shot Tom so many times in the book. I didn't think it had to go to that extreme to kill him.They could've gotten him killed in about 5 shots.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the film version chose to change the ending because they didn't think that the information was so critical that it had to be word for word. Also the wording in movies reflects the mood they are trying to portray the character having at the moment. Shooting someone seventeen times tells that the shooter did not like the person. Since I do not know what mood the writers were trying to portray coming from Atticus, I cannot really assess whether it was right to leave it out or not; however, I would have left it in myself. I believe that this could have happened in the thirties, but not in the present day. There are many ways that I would react if someone spit in my face. What I would do would depend on my mood just before the incident. Atticus's response says that he is kind, patient, and usually non-agressive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna's comment that they might not want to scare some viewers, but I also dissagree with her comment that they were in the middle of slavery. Slavery has been abolished by the time the book took place. Also, I dissagree with Katelynn that a person who was trying to escape a modern day prison would not get shot. Rather, the guards would give a warning, then, if they are within tasering distance, tasering them, or if ouside of that distance, they would shoot the prisoner, most likely aiming for a shoulder, or leg.
ReplyDeleteI think the film producers chose to change the ending because they wanted to let this be a film that any age could watch, and softening that up could be a good way to allow that. I also think there could have been a sense of guilt and not wanting to be reminded of what white guards did to a black man trying to escape, when they could have just wounded him. I think Tom getting shot 17 times shows that those guards who shot him obviously had some very angry feelings towards him, or were just very racist and cruel. I think it shows a low level of maturity in the guards and a sense of nonofficial character, which they should be showing all the time being prison guards. I agree and disagree with the producers because we want a lot of people to be able to watch this and not be sad, but we also want to show people the truth and show them how cruel we were to blacks back then. At the same time, we also dont want to make people feel guilty. This could have very well happened in the thirties and there is no doubt that it did. I think that it was just normal for people back then, and nobody ever realized how aweful it was. I think people are more civilized today and would have more respect than to do that to somebody in today's world. But there are still some very racist people in the world today who would sadly do that same thing if given the chance. If I was in Atticus's position and had Bob Ewell spit in my face, I would not take it very well and would be very frustrated, mad, nervous, and confused. I would have definately brough the problem to somebody else, and would have gotten it taken care of before I would be able to relax. This was about the complete opposite to what Atticus's reaction was. I think this shows how easy going and calm Atticus's character is, and how he simply doesnt worry about things. He doesnt get up tight and nervous, instead he puts it out of his mind, and maybe even just gives it up to God to take care of.
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot with Koleby by saying that the producers left it out because it wasnt as big of a deal back then to shoot a black man 17 times as it is today. I also agree in that the producer might have regretted it because people have different feelings for blacks today, and dont want to be reminded of the harsh feelings towards them in earlier years. What I dont get is why it took so long for people to realize that men are created equal, and that we should have stopped the harsh treatment of blacks long ago. Even today there are still very racist people out there. I also wonder what that is normal today, might be really cruel or mean or different in a couple decades from now. Like in the 30's, being racist was the normal and people didnt think a lot of it, so I wonder what we do today that is normal that might be bad that we will regret in later years.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I don't really know why the film guy or whoever would leave out that fact about how many times tom wass shot. I think it is an important fact and should have been inculded because it is a signfagent fact expecially if you consider the time period. one bullet could kill a man but seventeen times shows that the shooter doesnt care at all about the guy because he is black. I strongly disaggree i think that this fact should have been in the movie. I think something like this could have happened in the thirties because harper lee based this kinda about her life so i don't think it is like a big fake fairytale or anything. i don't know if something would happen like that todayor not. if it did i am sure there iwoulld be some bad consequuences if it happened. if someone spat in my face i would be very very angry and feel like they disrespected me. i would also be grossed out. i think how atticus reacted shows that heis a humble man.
ReplyDeleteI like what ross says about why it wasnt in the movie, and i agree with what he says about the shooter not caring. I like what ross said about stuff like htat happend in the thirties and now just not as much. and i think it does show that atticus is a peaceful man, but i think that it shows more than that too.
ReplyDeleteThe film producers probably changed the ending because they want readers to read more into the book, or to keep the audience active. I think getting shot 17 times is kind of wierd, because they must of really hated him even though he was innocent, obsama bin laden basically was almost shot as much as that which today we hated, but back then they must of hated tom bad to. I'd disagree with the producers. I think it could happen in the 30's because their black? what would someone do to a black person with gun? probably shoot him a couple times until they were satisfy. I would of got mad if someone spited on me but thats me. Atticus shows his character as a being calm.
ReplyDeletei'd agree with carrigan because it kind of fits in to what i said int he beggining.
ReplyDeleteI think they left the part out of Tom being shot 17 times partly because of the audience that would be watching the movie like the little children. However, I believe it would have been better if they would have put that part in the movie because it would show what really happened in the actual book version. This shows that the shooters were very racist and mean to the blacks during that time. Yes, I believe that this really could have happened during that time because of the racism that was present. I would probably react to Bob Ewell spitting in my face by getting really mad and maybe punching him in the face. This shows that Atticus has very good character by just leaving Mr. Ewell be.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with James when he said that the shooting of Tom 17 times wasn't critical to the movie, because that can be a very critical part of the book to contribute to the effect of racism in the 30's and how brutal people really were to the blacks.
ReplyDeleteI think that the film producers left out the part of Tom being shot 17 times because they didn't want the audience to see what really happened in the 30's. I think that the whites were very racist to the blacks and didn't show any mercy because Tom Robinson was shot 17 times.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion leaving the part out of Tom Robinson being shot 17 times was a bad decision. Because it shows us how bad racism actually was back then & all the horrible things they could have done. I think if they would have added those details to the movie it would have made the viewers more intense and more into the movie. just because after the whites won the court case they still hung him. I think it would have made the movie way more interesting & historical/realistic.
ReplyDeleteYes, i believe this could have easily happened at this time & way before this time. It could even happen in our time now but it wouldn't be as common as it was during this time. I haven't currently heard of any stories like this in our time today but im pretty positive it could be happening anywhere around here. The shooting of Tom Robinson reminds me of the death of Martin Luther King Jr. Just because he tried so hard to stop segregation and to stop racism without others liking what he was doing. So they shot him. Mr.Ewell spiting in atticus face was rude and very immature because atticus didn't deserve to have that done. I would have simple just walk away and ignore it like atticus because i would have known i did nothing wrong to him.
I agree with Kyle when he said, "They should have only shot him 2 or 3 times so then he would only be injured badly instead of him dying" but it proved a point on how badly they treated the black people during those times.
ReplyDeletei think that the producers changed it because they didnt want people to know that in the real world that there is that much violence. also it would possibly disturb some people while watching it and they dont want that eaither. i think that that says that the shooters must have been racied. there was no need to shoot him that many times. he would have been dead for sure the third shot. they must have hated this man for what his "did". i agree witht the producers. i think that if they would have used this part they would have made some watchers angry. i think i would do the same thing they did. i deffently think this was realistic for this time period. back then many white people including gaurds would have hated blacks. they would have wanted them dead. i dont see this happening in this time however. i think that there is more races that not many people are that racies that they hate black soo much. but on the other hand people still do things like that today. not that they do it depending of races but you hear of murders and killings when people will be stabbed way to many times or something. i would have deffinitly not reacted like atticus if some one spit in my face. even if someone hits me i want to hit them back if not harder. i would have spit right back at him i think iam not that patiant. but on the other hand this really shows how nice and easy going atticus is and how much of a good role model he is!
ReplyDeletei can understant what brenda said when she said that if they left it in that the viewers would see how bad they were accutally treated and what they could do to the blacks. pesonally i still would not have changed the movie but she makes a really good point on bringing out reality to show the world. i guess i would just want them to keep it in a less violent form in the movie but i would never change it in the book.
ReplyDeleteI think they change it to make it look not as bad and so little kids can watch the movie. They shot him 17 times to make sure he didnt get away and that he was black. No i dont agree I think they should leave that in there to prove how bad the whites were to the blacks. I think it could have because that was how bad racism was back in the 30's. Every now and then I hear about it but it is more just gang related. I would be very mad and go back after him and get in a fight which isnt a good thing but still sticking up for myself. Atticus showed strength to just turn his cheek and walk away. I agree with Ross how it barley ever happens in the world today. I also agree with getting shot 17 times is just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThey probably changed it because they didn't want people to see how violent people were towards blacks. It says that the shooters only ever wanted Tom to be killed and that they didn't care about him. I don't agree with the decision of the director because because people deserve to see how it really was! Although i agree with Denae when she says that it might be too a little too violent for younger viewers. I think that that could have easily happened in the thirties without anyone even worrying about it. I sure hope that that can't happen now especially to someone totally innocent. I haven't heard of anything like this happening lately. I would be disgusted if Bob Ewell spit in my face. I would not have handled it nearly as well as Atticus did. Atticus's response says that he is very calm and forgiving.
ReplyDeleteI think they changed the ending because it wasnt that appropriate to include in the movie incase younger children would watch it. And i also think that the person who shot Tom 17 times didnt mean anything to him. No because it doesnt mean as much that it is a black person that got shot if it was a white person it could of been a lot different. I think events like that happened back in the 30's but dont happen as much now days.I would of just talked to him and not cause anything. Atticus personality is he wants everything to be calm and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carol because they didnt want to know how they treated black people back then. I also like how Carol took lines out of the book.
ReplyDelete