To Kill A Mockingbird Journal #1

Journal #1

Chapters 1-3

Perspective of Dill (sorry my post is late. I fell off my skate board and hurt my hand)

I remember when I met Jem and Scout. It was during the first summer I spent in Maycomb. I tried to impress them with my skill in reading but failed. Scout, who wasn’t even in school, was already reading books that were turned into my favorite movies. Jem was rude to be about of my size. He said that I “looked right puny for goin’ on seven”. It wasn’t the 1st time I was picked on because of my size so I told him the same thing that I told to every other bully, “I am little but I am old”. Then he made fun of my name. He called me over by using my full name and then said “Lord, what a name”. I pointed out that his name was a funnier than mine but then he brought up my size again. He said my name was longer than me. I had no idea what he was talking about so I moved on. I think he was trying to intimidate me. I told him that folks call me Dill and then tried to gain his respect by telling him that my mom entered my picture into a children’s beauty contest and I won 5 dollars. This had no effect on him so I continued to tell him that with those 5 dollars I went to the picture shows 20 times. He really gained respect for me when I told him I saw the film Dracula. He had read the book so he became suddenly was interested on the film adaptation. After I explained the film to him he said that it sounded better than the book. One thing that we found true about both stories was that Dracula was a malevolent person. In the end I persevered and made my first 2 friends in Maycomb. You know the whole situation reminds me of The Wizard of Oz. I was like Dorothy trying to gain respect from the indigenous people of this new place.

The whole situation with Boo Radley seems appealing to me. It’s something that no one really understands and no matter where you go everyone has a different story. The Radley house doesn’t seem scary to me, instead it’s a place I want to learn more about. It all reminds me of a movie I saw called Alice in wonderland. Alice was never frightened by wonderland; instead she kept going, learning about it until she understood it. I have always been a curious person. At school I am still trying to figure out what’s hidden in the closet labeled, Janitor only. I know the Janitor but what is he hiding in there?

The bet I made with Jem was a real bonding experience. I think goods friends are supposed to make you do stooped stuff. I actually wanted him to touch the house so we could put an end to the myths on what Boo Radley looks like. Originally I wanted him to knock on the door but in the end we compromised and decided that he only had to touch the house to get The Grey Ghost. In the end I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to happen but we came one step closer to solving the mystery of Boo Radley.
I was sad when I had to leave Maycomb. I wanted to learn more about boo and I really enjoyed the games I played with Jem and Scout. I will miss them but I am comforted by the thought that I will be back next summer to continue investigating the Radley house. It’s like a home away from home for me. I hope things don’t change too much while I am gone.