E-learning 02/03/10

I feel that the Styles Test is a good gauge, to a certain extent, of our abilities in a particular discipline or intelligence. The questions that clearly belonged to a particular intelligence were helpful, for it was easy to decide whether we really were part of that intelligence. The "ambigious" questions that didn't seem to be unique to any category were also helpful, for they reminded me that no one is purely from a certain intelligence, for there can always be a mix in intelligences. Of course, apart from the usefulness of the questions, the test in itself was highly beneficial, for it gave us an idea of our psychological make-up: What we are strong in doing, what we're weak at/hate doing and the like. All in all, I found the Styles Test a good gauge of our ability as a student.

1. Linguistic

Imagine you are one of the characters. Deliver a speech on what you think of the above question.

A good day to everyone. I, Atticus Finch, think I have observed Maycomb's society for a long enough period of time for me to make a judgement. Maycomb County is not a good place to live in, and will remain as so unless people get more courageous, unless people get less prejudiced.

Firstly, the members of Maycomb County lack courage. The members of Maycomb lack the courage to stick up for their beliefs, despite how valid those beliefs and thoughts are. I believe, and in fact I know, that there were many in the community who strongly believed that Tom Robinson was innocent, that Mayella Ewell and her father had merely been spinning yarns about Tom Robinson's rape attempt. However, few were willing to speak up for Tom Robinson, due to what I can only call a lack of courage. The courage to stand up for their own beliefs was lacking in the citizens of Maycomb County. Without this courage to believe and to do what's right, wrong opinions will remain wrong because no one dares change them. Eventually, this will result in a town which will never progress, for we never question and improve on our thoughts. Therefore, I think it is not a good place to live in.

Secondly, the people of Maycomb are highly prejudiced. People in Maycomb have this negative mindset that is somehow formed by the fear and the dislike of the unknown and Negroes. For example, there are many rumours going around regarding the actions of Mr Boo aka Arthur Radley. However, these rumours are usually unjustified as the spreaders of these rumours have never actually seen Boo Radley and what he did. These rumours can be therefore assumed to be a product of the prejudice against the unknown. The prejudice goes even further in terms of Negroes. The assumption that "all Negroes lie, all Negroes are basically immoral" has somehow been regarded as a truth. When Tom Robinson, that poor child, was killed when escaping from Prison, many of the townspeople treated it as a problem of "Nigger always comes up in them". However, these ignores the fact that a) White people might have done the same as well b) He knew he didn't really have a chance of getting free through the law, so he would rather do so outside of the law. These comments of Boo Radley are therefore not statements of truth, but statements that belie Maycomb's racist prejudice. With such prejudice for different people, it is difficult to accept Maycomb as a good place to live in.

My friends, it has been a long talk. But I remind you: While Maycomb appears to be progressing now, it hasn't progressed much at all. If, and only if concrete steps to bring up personal courage and get rid of prejudice, then will Maycomb society move forward and no longer be corrupted.

2. Musical

Write a poem on the Tom Robinson Trial / life in Maycomb/ any other incident.

The sheriff was speaking.
He says no one called a doctor.
No one called a doctor.
No one knew if she had been raped.
No one could prove whether he was guilty – or innocent.

He says she was blacked on her right eye
He couldn’t have done it. His had no left arm to do it.

That arrogant Bob Ewell
Disgusting, his manners were.
WHAT? He didn’t “rut” on Mayella Ewell!
It’s okay, Mr Finch knows.

Then there’s that girl. Mayella Ewell.
What a poor girl.
What an evil girl.
And now she’s crying. She lies and now she cries. Good Lord.

And now he’s supposed to speak.
Mr Finch wants him to elaborate on the act.
That act.
That act of intimacy.
That act of sexual intimacy.
Repulsive.
But she’s a pitiful thing. She’s quite a sorry figure, truth to be told.
“You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?”
Oops.

I wonder if I’ll get released. Mr Finch sounds convincing.
Are the white men convinced?
Are they?
Will they be?
12 white men free a black man?
Better say my goodbyes.