Jericho WallsRacism, Education, Equality

Segregation…• What do we know about segregation?• What are some of the causes?• Why did it happen?

• Legally racial segregation in the USA was ended in 1954 why do you think it took the 1950s, 1960s and much of the 1970s for this to become a reality?

Create a table that shows all of these characters and whether they are for or

against segregation. Give quotes/evidence from the text to support

your assertion.Character For Against

Evidence

Miss Spinnaker Yes Miss Spinnaker’s reaction to Simon and Lucas entering the library and asking for a library card.Find a quote that supports this…

Jo

Lucas

Mama Yes

Joseph Yes Yes Why is Joseph both?

Simon

Bobby Sue

Small town America…

• While this novel is a modern story it is set in a time, post Emancipation and as segregation was at an end, however when many of America’s white citizens were still struggling with the idea of equality.

• Despite the obvious integration that is beginning to be seen in the news in Jericho the community holds fast to history. • They alienate Lenore Cooper because she had a

relationship with a black man leaving her and her child to live in poverty.

• The first person to speak to Lenore Cooper is Jo’s mother, Maye.

• As news hits the town of the National Guard’s blocking of a small group of ‘negro’ students as they integrate into a nearby school only Lucas and his brother seem to celebrate the step.

• In Jericho the idea alone horrifies many of the townspeople.

• The segregation of the schools in Jericho continues, a stark contrast to developments occurring in the rest of the country as the townspeople hold on to the past.

• In this novel the conditions of the coloured quarters, as well as Abilene and her family, are representative of African Americans living within the Southern states of America during this time.

• The township of Jericho continues to oppress those of colour and reduce them to poverty.

• Even those seen to be ‘good folk’, such as the deacons and their families or the librarian, Miss Spinnaker, continue to uphold the values of the past and enforce racism within the community.

• Simply being confronted with two coloured children in the library, where according to society/the community they should not be, sets Miss Spinnaker into a panic.

• The Sheriff is fairer and more understanding and tries to maintain the peace but ultimately, to keep the respect of the community, he must remove the children from the library and place them within the town jail.

How racism affects Lucas…

• While Lucas has ambition and wants to help others as a doctor his position in society within Jericho means that he will not have access to the education nor the resources necessary to accomplish this dream.

• His father was killed when he was small for trying to aid in the progression of the abolishment of segregation.

• Lucas’ brother, Simon, seems to be following in his father’s footsteps

Jo and Lucas…• Following Jo’s accident on the river

Lucas knows he cannot leave his friend – he first takes her to his home and then tries to walk her home.

• The novel tells us that there could have been consequences for his actions, what are they? Are these consequences fair?

• Jo also becomes panicked when she realizes that in taking library books out for Lucas there could be consequences.

• Other than Lucas and Simon taking action what other consequences could Jo have faced? Would Lucas have faced consequences too?

Racism and Jo’s family…

• Jo’s mother tells the story of her Grandmother and how she loved her Grandmother without question until other children started to make fun of her because of her American Indian blood. This results in a separation between Grandmother and Granddaughter that lasts some time. Eventually love for her Grandmother draws her back and the two are reunited.

Events…• Sharing the thermos with Lucas:

• Jo realises that there is very little difference between herself and Lucas. That sharing the thermos will not result in her picking up some sort of illness. This is in contrast to the episode in which Jo drinks from the Coloured fountain and is mocked by the other white girls.

• Find a quote that shows this… page 75-76

• Bible verse: • Jo is the one to really take people to task-

when she is asked to learn verse and recite it at the deacons meeting she chooses one that highlights the disparity between what is being preached and the actions of the community- the verse she chooses calls each of the men she recites it to a hypocrite.

• Find a quote to support this on page 156.

• Library sit in:• Miss Spinnaker’s reaction is unnecessary she

treats Lucas and Simon as if they are carrying a disease.

• Lucas and Simon did not act in a violent or insulting manner only asking to have a library card and refusing to leave. Their protest was a peaceful one.

• Find a quote that shows the racism involved in this incident.

Racism of the time..• Little Rock• Martin Luther King Jnr• Rosa Parks

• Why are references to these occurrences important to the theme of racism?

Education… moral and schooled

education• As a poor, under-educated, father-less

boy, Lucas distrusts the morals and principles of the society that treats him as an outcast and abuses him. In his initial meetings with Jo it is obvious that he distrusts her and expects some sort of abuse or expectation from her and therefore cuts the meetings short- being brief with her and moving on.

• The obvious differences between the two are highlighted by the textbooks that they each bring home from school- Jo is horrified by the state of Lucas’ schoolbook while Lucas can only look longingly at the books Jo is able to access.

• Jo cannot see any reason why Lucas should not have similar books to those she brings home from school.

• The bond between the two is forged when they together enjoy the adventures of ‘Huckleberry Finn’.

• Jo initially begins by reading the story aloud… why?• Are we expected at this stage of the story to assume

that Lucas is unable to read because of the colour of his skin which predicts that he is poorly educated?

• We quickly learn that this is not the case, that Lucas is a capable reader who enjoys the pastime and is able to apply his knowledge- the fixing of the mockingbird.

• The growing relationship between Jo and Lucas, leads Jo to question the lessons that she has been ‘taught’ during her short time in Jericho regarding race. Jo’s decision to join the sit in sees a conscious choice being made against the rules of Jericho (and ultimately society) and follow what she has learnt- Lucas is the same as her.

• Jo bases these decisions on her experiences, her own sense of logic, and what her developing conscience tells her.

• As they dream of being like Huck and Jim and floating down the river we see the pair as reaching for freedom from society’s rules, able to make decisions about friendships and education without restriction or fear of reprisal.

• By the end of the novel Jo has a deeper understanding of society and has learnt to draw her own conclusions about people and situations free of the hypocritical rules and values of Jericho and wider society.

• Jo’s moral development sits in contrast to her father’s who allows fear to over-rule his Christian morals for praise and acceptance from those who once ridiculed him.

• Ultimately Joseph learns a valuable lesson from his daughter.

Equality…• ‘Love thy neighbour’ is a lesson

directly taken from the bible and the subject of the final sermon Jo reports on.

• The actions of mother and daughter have taught Joseph a valuable lesson- the Christian values he preaches need to displayed in the community regardless of their reception- he must lead by example.

• Jo’s parents have a number of arguments in the novel each of these arguments arises from the idea of ‘loving thy neighbour’.

• Maye proudly does her duty as the preacher’s wife and does not discriminate offering kind words and support to those in need.

• Her husband reminds her of propriety and the perceptions of the wider community.

• It is not until the deacons list Maye and her actions as a problem and Lucas, Jo and Simon sit in and are removed from the library by the Sheriff that Joseph really seems to wake up and be the man he was before his return to Jericho.