Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Lesson Plan

Why do you think R.W. and Melvin were so insistent on getting the gun for T.J.?

It may be that the Simms brothers just want to engage in the risky behavior of stealing or buying a gun. It is also a means of manipulating T.J. Though he wants the gun, he is not at all free to change his mind about getting it. Students can also consider whether the Simmses have always thought of T.J. as "risk insurance." Though they may not have had this kind of forethought, it seems plausible that they involved T.J. in their criminal behavior, knowing that if he were there, they could easily dodge all blame and consequences by accusing him.

How does nature function in these two chapters?...