Dill Crying at the Trial

[MsElliott]

What does it show about Dill as a character when he starts crying in the trial?

[laurah]

This shows that Dill is empathetic, and he feels helpless towards the racism and injustice happening in court. Dill describes his feelings when he tells Scout, "It was the way [Mr. Gilmer] said it made me sick, plain sick."

[lilyklunyk]

Oct 27, 2015 9:41:55 GMT laurah said:

This shows that Dill is empathetic, and he feels helpless towards the racism and injustice happening in court. Dill describes his feelings when he tells Scout, "It was the way [Mr. Gilmer] said it made me sick, plain sick."

I agree. Dill is very empathetic and the huge injustice makes him terribly sad.

[jemimareid]

Oct 27, 2015 9:41:55 GMT laurah said:

This shows that Dill is empathetic, and he feels helpless towards the racism and injustice happening in court. Dill describes his feelings when he tells Scout, "It was the way [Mr. Gilmer] said it made me sick, plain sick."

I think it's harper Lee showing us that though there are racist people, there is hope for improvement in the next generation.

[emah]

Oct 27, 2015 9:41:55 GMT laurah said:

This shows that Dill is empathetic, and he feels helpless towards the racism and injustice happening in court. Dill describes his feelings when he tells Scout, "It was the way [Mr. Gilmer] said it made me sick, plain sick."

Yes, I agree. His empathy is created from his innocence. He believes in fairness and it shows he thought there was more fairness to what there actually is. This contrasts Scout's opinion of needing two sides to a case and being quite calm.
Without anyone crying, there would also be no hope to expect more change.

[coreym]

It shows he is still a child and is empathetic

[zoebia]

in a way, i think it shows Dill growing up, he understands what is happening at the trial, and he feels sorry for Tom Robinson because he can see the unfairness and this makes me feel sad for the black community in general, and specifically to Tom. 

[allanaedgell]

Oct 27, 2015 9:41:55 GMT laurah said:

This shows that Dill is empathetic, and he feels helpless towards the racism and injustice happening in court. Dill describes his feelings when he tells Scout, "It was the way [Mr. Gilmer] said it made me sick, plain sick."

I agree with you and I like how you've made the point on his empathy. It shows that Dill doesn't understand the world well, which also shows that he is innocent.

[zoel]

Oct 26, 2015 4:38:35 GMT MsElliott said:

What does it show about Dill as a character when he starts crying in the trial?

It shows that Dill is too innocent to have been corrupted by the racist views of the community. It shows that he sees the court as people vs people not black vs white and he can't beleive people would do this to each other 

[Yor a wizard Harry!! (Ashton)]

Oct 27, 2015 19:55:51 GMT zoel said:

Oct 26, 2015 4:38:35 GMT MsElliott said:

What does it show about Dill as a character when he starts crying in the trial?

It shows that Dill is too innocent to have been corrupted by the racist views of the community. It shows that he sees the court as people vs people not black vs white and he can't beleive people would do this to each other 

I believe you are correct Zoe, it can also be taken into account that Dill's home town might be less racially segregated. 

[elisegrant]

You are able to see in this instance, that the children are still children, showing their innocence in the situation, but also unable to fathom all that is happening around them. Dill says that he feels "sick, plain sick."

[kayleewilliams]

Oct 26, 2015 4:38:35 GMT MsElliott said:

What does it show about Dill as a character when he starts crying in the trial?

It is seen often in society that children and teenagers are more empathetic and accepting of others that are treated badly due to things such as their race, sexual preference and monetary status. Whilst some of these are not common throughout the novel, this may be suggesting that Dill feels sad about the great injustice happening, providing hope for the next generation.

[lindadate]

When Dill starts crying is shows that he is still young and unafraid to show his true emotions. It also shows that he is very empathetic and caring towards others.