Both Uses of
critical
in
To Kill a Mockingbird
- Attentive critics of courthouse business, Atticus said they knew as much law as the Chief Justice, from long years of observation.
p. 217..9 (definition 1) *critics = people who share expert judgement
- People like Mr. Heck Tate did not trap you with innocent questions to make fun of you; even Jem was not highly critical unless you said something stupid.
p. 313..2 (definition 2) *critical = with a tendency to find fault
Definitions:
-
(1) (critical as in: critical acclaim) relating to thoughtful judgement of what is good and bad about something -- possibly from people whose job is to share their expert opinions in a given industry
-
(2) (critical as in: don't be so critical) finding fault and telling others; or tending to have unfavorable opinions