Journal #10: To Kill a Mockingbird

In this final portion of the book, I don’t find myself on pins and needles anymore. The trial is over, the verdict is made, and there’s no more fighting left. Except of course, there is, in Bob Ewell’s mind. Although the jury has made its decision that Mayella was telling a true story, the true information that Atticus revealed during the trial ruined Bob’s reputation-- in reality, Bob is nothing but a poor, lying, and cruel father that no one will ever trust again. Bob himself sets out to pick a fight with Atticus without the court as a medium when he spits in Atticus’s face. Atticus, civil as ever, however, always chooses his battles and in this situation ignores Ewell. Jem, on the other hand, is extremely caught up on the evils of Bob Ewell and society and is crushed by the verdict of the trial. Much of the rest of the book describes Scout’s life as she tries to live with a brother whose personality seems to have disappeared. She compensates by focusing her attention on pleasing her Aunt Alexandra and “becoming a lady.”

Aunt Alexandra’s attitude also changes following the trial. She now seems more sensitve to the family-- especially when Tom Robinson is killed for attempting to escape prison. Alexandra, however, sees it that it’s not necessarily Bob Ewell’s fault, he is just an uneducated, evil man that will do anything for revenge. Aunt Alexandra’s prediction about Ewell is correct; he breaks into Judge Taylor’s house and slurs at Helen Robinson (the widow of Tom) every day on her way to work as she passes by the Ewell property. Ewell’s most sinister act of revenge occurs on the night of Halloween. The school is having a pageant which Scout is a part of. On the way to and from the pageant, Scout and Jem walk in pitch darkness, but their previous fears of walking past the Radley house, especially at night, have left them. Scout even comments, “Boo Radley was the least of our fears.” They were not only hardened by the trial, but they had more important things to worry about. Bob Ewell had been bothering nearly everyone it seemed but Atticus himself. Sabotage was inevitable. And sure enough, on the way back from the pageant on Halloween night, Scout and Jem were attacked by Bob Ewell. It’s hard to decide which is more shocking: that Bob Ewell, in the darkness, stumbled, fell on his weapon, and killed himself while attacking the Finch children, or that Boo Radley came to the Finch children’s rescue and saved them from their demise. In reality, Bob Ewell didn’t fall on his knife-- Boo stabbed him. The police officer chooses to hide the truth to protect Boo. Putting him on trial in the public eye would be like killing an innocent mockingbird that never did any harm to anyone. The title of this book, however, primarily refers to innocent Tom Robinson.

Journal #9: To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird is broken up into two parts. The first section is dominated entirely by childhood. Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill play with one another. Life is easy. Their only obligation is school and respecting their elders. The second part of the book is far more intense. It primarily revolves around the case and trial of Tom Robinson, a black man who was accused of raping a young white female. Atticus is the defense attourney on the case. The events revolving the case demonstrate the distinguishment between childhood and adulthood. Scout and Jem each represent the two contrasting stages of life.

Because Atticus is tied up with the case, in the beginning of the second half of the novel Atticus’s sister, Alexandra, comes to live with the Finches so the children are properly cared for. Alexandra’s attitude towards Scout’s upbringing shows Scout as a figure of childhood. Alexandra believes that Scout is too childish and must be turned into a lady. However, Alexandra still treats Scout like a child by keeping extremely tight reigns on her where-abouts. For instance, Alexandra will not let Scout visit Calpurnia’s house, because she doesn’t want to expose her to another way of living. Scout also serves as a symbol of childhood when defending her father. In this portion of the book, Atticus’s intentions of defending a black man pose him many problems. At one point, he is challenged by a lynch mob; Scout defends her father and ultimately turns the lynch mob away with her innocence. This scene also depicts Jem as a symbol of adulthood. When first arriving at the scene of the lynch mob, Atticus commands Jem to leave; Jem, however, stands his ground like a man and refuses to leave.

Finally, the trial’s topic shows the level of maturity of each child. Jem understands and is able to watch the trial because he is older and therefore more mature than Scout and can handle the topic of rape. Scout, on the other hand, is far too young and innocent to comprehend the trial.

This portion of the book reveals the extreme racism of the majority of Southern society. Aunt Alexandra, for instance, does not allow Scout to visit Calpurnia’s house. By sitting in the black section of the courtroom, the Finch children demonstrate that they are immune to racism. The verdict of the trial, however, reveals the extremes of Southern racism: although Atticus’s defense for Tom Robinson is flawless, Tom still loses the case, because a white Southern jury would never ever side with a black man, no matter how innocent he is.

Journal #8: To Kill a Mockingbrid

 As the children’s curiousity of their neighbor, Boo Radley, deepens, they decide to take action by looking inside the Radley House. Initially, Jem is dared to go to the door of the house; his interpretation of the dare is running and touching the house then running away as fast as possible. The children then try again, this time at the end of the summer in the middle of the night. Their reasoning is as follows: “Because nobody could see them at night, because Atticus would be so deep in a book he wouldn’t hear the Kingdom coming, because if Boo Radley killed them they’d miss school instead of vacation, and because it was easier to see inside a dark house in the dark than in the daytime” (69). Jem is the guinea pig again, and goes so far as to peeking into the window on the porch. Unfortunately, someone in the house hears the children and fires a gunshot to scare them away, and they are left just as curious as before. Later, however, they get a glimpse into the heart of Boo Radley. When their neighbor, Miss Maudie’s house burns down one winter night, Boo Radley silently provides the children with a blanket as they wait in the cold. That same winter, the Finch’s spend Christmas, as they usually do, with Atticus’s brother and his sister’s family. Trouble arises when Scout is provoked by her older cousin Francis, who makes a slur about her father in regard to a legal case he is working on. Francis calls Atticus a “nigger-lover." In response, Scout fights Francis. Only Francis’s side of the story gets told, and Scout is punished. Later Scout privately tells her uncle the true story and he apologizes for punishing her.

            As I read this story, I see Scout growing up. She started out in the beginning of the story extremely innocent. She followed all of Atticus’s orders and idolized Jem. After every page, however, she grows. She is more inclined to fight physically than to resolve disputes with words. She and Jem aren’t on such close terms any longer, either. Jem holds information from Scout, because he fears Scout might not agree with his as she always did previously. Scout is growing older and gaining an attitude, and as such is not afraid to stand up for herself any longer. 

Journal #7: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a story of childhood. Harper Lee, otherwise known as Scout Finch in this story, lives with her brother, Jem, her father, Atticus, and their nanny, Calpurnia. So far, the book simply discussed Scout’s day-to-day life. Scout is six years old in the beginning of the story and has just begun school. However, Scout dislikes the institution, primarily because her teacher criticizes her on the very first day of school. The teacher claims that Scout’s father should not have taught her to read, and that Calpurnia should not have taught her to write, because they taught her incorrectly. Scout, a stubborn child, however, continues reading with her father at home, while putting up with (but still disliking) school. In the summertime, Scout plays all day with her brother and their visiting friend, Dill. Their games generally involve acting of some sort. In fact, a major pastime of theirs is to act out the life of their mysterious and believed-to-be-deranged neighbor, Boo Radley. Eventually, Atticus finds out about their mockery of this man and advises them to stop, but the children, curious as ever, are only inspired to delve deeper into the mysteries of Boo Radley.

Scout’s childhood is like every other middle class southern child’s—she is well fed, but doesn’t live in luxury. Her father has a job as a lawyer, unlike most children whose parents farm. In this sense, Scout and Jem are fortunate compared to some of their classmates. A common theme seems to be the lack of parental figures and the effect it has on children. Some of their peers, such as their friend Dill, don’t have fathers. As a result, Dill is always defending himself and making up lies about his father.  When Boo Radley’s father dies, more and more rumors are spread about Boo and how crazy he is. Other characters lack mother figures. Scout’s classmate, Burris Ewell doesn’t have a mother, and as a result he is malnutrition and not cared for. Scout and Jem themselves don’t even have a mother. Other figures have stepped in, however, to serve in her place. Calpurnia teaches Scout discipline and provides food. Atticus teaches Scout to read. Ms. Caroline acts like a mother by reading to the children and providing money for those who can’t afford to eat. As a result, Scout and Jem would seem as if they have a mother. However, Scout’s personality is affected. Due to the lack of a true mother, Scout acts like a boy: she is reluctant to orders, she plays with her brother, she likes to resolve problems through fighting, and she even writes of “the pain of being called a girl” (55). 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I chose to re-read the seventh Harry Potter book for two reasons. For one, I’m used to JK Rowling producing a new Potter book every couple of years. Since she’s done with the series, though, I haven’t gotten my Potter fix in about three years. Secondly, I wanted to re-read the book since the movie version is coming out so soon. I am so glad that I chose to re-read it. In just the first few pages there were so many things that I had forgotten. I had forgotten that Snape was bad from the end of the sixth book! I had forgotten how Hedwig had died! I had even forgotten that their was already a fight between Harry and the Dark Lord by the forth chapter! I’m now 100 pages in and thus far, clearly so much has happened.

The book begins with Voldemort having a call-to-action meeting with the Death Eaters to discuss the where-abouts of Harry Potter so they will know when to act in order to kill Harry. The story then proceeds to Harry’s point of view, on his last night at Privet Drive with his aunt and uncle. Harry reminisces on the death of Dumbledore, prepares for his departure to the Burrow (the Weasley’s house), and tries to convince the Dursleys that they are in danger and they must flee. Eventually other wizards come and do convince the Dursleys to leave. Later, Harry’s time to leave comes. He travels, simultaneously, with six other members of the Order of the Phoenix, all disguised as Harry to confuse the Death Eaters. However, the mission is unsuccessful. The Death Eaters find the true Harry and nearly kill (this is the first fight between Harry and Voldemort, and also when Hedwig dies). In this mission, Mad Eye Moody dies and George nearly dies. Harry does eventually reach the Burrow. There, and up until the point to which I had read, everyone is busy preparing for Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding. During preparation, Harry, Ron, and Hermione discuss their future travel plans for when they journey to find the 5 remaining Horcruxes of Voldemort.

            I am extremely worried about what will happen in this book. I vaguely remember that lots of people die, but I don’t remember exactly who. But many must… in the first 100 pages 2 have already died… and there’s already been lots of struggle. With one intense battle and communication issues (Harry, Ron, and Hermione have lots of trouble finding time to together to prepare for their trip), these struggles are sure to continue. However, I’m not surprised. Struggle has been the constant theme throughout the entire series. No problem seems to ever be resolved. 

Journal #5: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

Kessler continues to tear the food industry apart. He blames our food industry for “Americanizing” everything by adding more sugar, fat, and salt. We may have a Chinese restaurant, but dishes served will be American. For example, the dish General Tso’s is not traditionally sweet or syrupy. But to make it irresistible, Chinese restaurants in America serve it as such.

            Kessler also explains other ways as to how the food industry reaches its goal of creating irresistible foods. Companies have discovered what factors make food irresistible—Kessler calls this the irresistibility ladder. To be irresistible, a food must have fat in it—this provides a good mouthfeel and calories. Second, it must be flavorful. And finally, it must have a good texture. Without these things, consumers won’t be as pleased.

            Additionally, food companies can make food even more irresistible artificially. When you see ingredients in products that you have no clue what they are, they’re probably chemical additives used to bolster appeal. Most chain restaurants use food that is processed/contains additives. Consumers aren’t aware of this because the final step of cooking is done in the restaurant, so it seems fresh. However, the preparatory stages are done in a factory. From a consumer standpoint, this is beneficial. The food is cheaper and it tastes better because it is perfected at the factory. Simultaneously, however, the food is much less nutritious, so it’s actually horrible for the consumer.

            In general, consumers aren’t aware of the goings-on of the food industry. Kessler described studies in which consumers were to estimate the fat, sugar, and salt contents of food from restaurants, and consumers underestimated in all cases.

Consumers are also not aware of how the food industry is constantly altering their eating habits by gradually increasing portion sizes. For instance, companies like Coca-Cola are so powerful that they can double beverage sizes, double the cost, and consumers will buy more. All the while, Coke makes tons more money and their cost of production remains fairly the same, because production costs are only increased by a fraction (the beverage itself is not very expensive to produce).

Finally, consumers don’t realize that most chain restaurants that now promote healthier options are just using a new marketing strategy. Companies don’t care if their food is healthy—they can promote healthy foods, consumers will come to their restaurant, but they’ll probably end up choosing unhealthy options in the long run.

Journal #4: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

            In this portion of Kessler’s book, he discusses the role that the food industry plays in creating the insatiable American appetite. Restaurants formulate their recipes and produce their food specifically to make it irresistible in multiple ways. For instance, Cinnabon, the cinnamon roll food chain, creates their cinnamon rolls so that they are extremely easy to swallow- they melt in your mouth. Grandma’s tried-and-true recipe was altered/perfected in such a way that it would taste just like she had always made them and be swallowed so easily/rapidly that the consumer continues to eat them- and eat them. Restaurants also achieve the consumer’s yearn to continue eating by creating foods that have the multisensory appeal (ex. by layering fat on sugar on salt).

I see through all this why restaurant food is so expensive. Ingredient costs can’t be all that expensive. The high priced foods must be the result of hours and hours in the kitchen or lab to formulate the recipe that makes food most appealing. Because, in the grand scheme of things, restaurants aren’t trying to make customers happy. They’re trying to make customers fall in love with food, so they’ll keep wanting more, so the restaurant can make the most money.

            These restaurants don’t care A THING about the nutritional values of food. So the burger on their menu is 2000 calories, the equivalent of an entire day’s worth of food? Oh well. Restaurants can make their food so pleasing that it doesn’t have to be nutritious. As Kessler writes, “The pleasure becomes a distraction, directing attention away from thoughts of a food’s fat or caloric content.” To make it more pleasing, hey simply add more fat. Fat makes food have better texture, makes the flavors work together, makes it easier to swallow… which in turn makes it less nutritious. It’s a vicious cycle. 

Journal #3: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

In this portion of the book, Kessler continues on explaining why people are fat. A big part of why we eat is motivated by the brain; it’s a psychological battle, not just a matter of whether we are hungry or not. There are three main components of the brain, in addition to hunger signals, that make us want to eat more. The first is neurons. When we eat, neurons put off signals that make us want to eat more. The second is opiods. Opiods activate pleasure. So when we eat foods that taste and smell good, have a good texture, or signal a happy memory, we want to eat more. And more. Whether we are hungry or not. And the final component is dopamine. Dopamine is what motivates us to food. If we smell Chinese food in the mall, dopamine is what makes us pursue it. Dopamine is what makes multi-sensory (ex. sweet AND salty) foods that much more rewarding. Dopamine is also what conditions us to food. Kessler discusses the traditional study of Pavlov’s dogs. Pavlov rang a bell every time he fed his dogs. Eventually, when Pavlov would ring the bell, even if the dogs were not given food, they salivated. The dogs had become conditioned to the food, or as Kessler defined, “incentive salience: the desire, activated by cues, for something that predicts reward.” Ultimately, dopamine is what causes eating to become a habit.

The main take-home lesson from the effects of dopamine is, as Kessler writes, “Rewarding foods are rewiring our brains. As they do, we become more sensitive to the cues that lead us to anticipate rewarding foods.... [People] cannot control their responses to highly palatable foods because they have been changed by the foods they eat.”

As I’m sure I’ll read once I get deeper into the book, the only solution is to practice eating with conscious. As Kessler showed, humans are prone to keep eating, and keep eating, and keep eating. It’s hardwired into the brain, on so many levels. Is there a way to stop the brain from developing habits that make the body yearn for food? Doubtful. So, it’s clearly up to the consumer to resist succumbing to what the brain wants it to do. The consumer needs to activate the other aspects of the brain, the ones that say, “STOP! You aren’t hungry.” That, or researchers and scientists must develop a substance that can eliminate the effects of dopamine and other food-related chemicals in the brain.

Journal #2: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

In the first 30 pages of David Kessler’s nonfiction book, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, he explains why America’s obesity and overweight rates have spiked in the past 30 years. There’s only one reason why the body gains weight; this can be seen by countless studies that demonstrate that those who eat more weigh more. It’s a direct correlation.

People want to place blame of their overeating on something else. They may blame their bodies for not maintaining a proper homeostatic system (compensates for calories consumed). But the truth is, blame cannot be placed on just one thing. The body wants to eat. It especially wants to eat foods that are extra palatable and appetising. To create a food that is extra palatable, three key food categories are necessary: sugar, fat, and salt. The combination of the three is addictive. Once the consumer takes one bite, he or she will continue to eat, whether they are hungry or not.

Kessler wrote of one reason why it’s becoming harder and harder for American’s to resist overeating: restaurants and food manufacturers continue to create foods that are increasingly palatable.

Kessler did not, however, mention that food is generally becoming more available now. Before it was a constant struggle for eating; now that food is cheaper to make, it is more available, and people immediately snatch up any opportunity to eat. In addition, life now revolves around food. Going on a date refers to going out to dinner. Going to see a movie with a friend turns into, “Who’s going to pay for the popcorn and candy?” And even food manufacturers that appear to be contributing to the prevention of obesity are at fault. For instance, brands that are considered “healthy” are beginning to promote unhealthy eating behavior. Yoplait is now making decadently flavored yogurt. This subconsciously makes the consumer believe that the original form of the decadent food is also healthy, which certainly isn’t accurate.
There is no branch of the food industry that is off the hook, other than, perhaps, the produce industry.

Journal #1: French Women Don't Get Fat

Although the book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, is classified as a diet book, it is far from it. It doesn’t follow the stereotypical formula of:

1. Are you really fat?

2. Here’s the completely limiting diet (that we don’t tell you but you will fall off of after 2 weeks)

3. Exercise this much and the pounds will melt off.

4. YAY! Now you’re skinny.

French Women Don’t Get Fat is realistic. It doesn’t actually discuss a specific diet. Instead, it explains an eating lifestyle, one for you to stick with your entire life in order to maintain satiety and satisfaction from food AND maintain a healthy weight.

The French author writes of having gone on an extended trip to America where she gains (a lot of) weight. She writes, “The American way of eating got to my head and opened me up to the dangers of this delicious Parisian minefield” (22). In America, she developed unhealthy habits of eating too much and becoming addicted to sugar. (Which I learned from all my other sources is not uncommon—sugar is an addictive substance). Thus, when she returned to France, she couldn’t control herself from eating French delicacies that she had been able to control herself from eating before she went to America. With the help of “Dr. Miracle” she got back on track and rediscovered the “French way to eat,” and ever since has stayed slim, while not limiting herself from any single food.

Her secret? Variety and portion control. By enjoying all types of foods, she never gets sick of a single one, thus never getting to the point where she binges on an “untouchable” food (the reason most Americans are overweight).

Her main trick, however, is portion control. The first few bites of food taste the best. So, the French eat these first few bites, savor them, and move on, never leaving the table feeling stuffed. In addition, each meal is made up of multiple courses, which further encourages only eating a few bites so as to also enjoy the other courses. Finally, the French stagger their meals; a common American thing to do is to fast all through the morning and afternoon, then chow down at night. This is an unhealthy way of eating because it makes the body’s metabolism slow down, then not be able to compensate for the large load of food later eaten.

If Americans could conquer these issues of self-control, the obesity epidemic would disappear... we could all be healthy AND happy with our diets, just like the French.