In the 1930’s, racism and strong feelings of prejudice caused an African American man to be falsely accused and convicted and then brutally murdered; these feelings caused a guilty man to walk free; these feelings caused two young children to almost be murdered. Although, despite these feelings, a shy recluse saved those two young children and made a friendship that will last forever. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama, a town deeply rooted in racism. It focuses on the development of Jem and Scout Finch and their father, Atticus Finch’s work as a lawyer. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the characteristics of integrity, honesty, and having a conscience are portrayed by several …show more content…
Atticus is a honest man who possesses the trait of integrity and has a selfless conscience. Atticus shows these traits when he defends Tom Robinson: “If I didn’t [defend Tom Robinson] I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent the county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 86). Atticus defends Tom Robinson because he knows it is the right thing to do and if he did not, he would not be able to live with himself. This shows that Atticus is a non-racist man and believes that everyone deserves fair justice. Atticus also portrays integrity and honesty when he does not want to cover up the fact that he thought Jem murdered Bob Ewell. When Heck Tate suggests that he can prove that Bob Ewell accidentally murdered himself when he fell on his knife, Atticus shuts down the idea and protests, “I’m sorry if I spoke sharply, Heck, but nobody’s hushing this up. I don’t live this way” (Lee 313). Atticus does not want to lie about Jem killing Bob Ewell because he truly believes that Jem committed Ewell’s murder in self defense. Honesty is important to Atticus and he does not feel it would be right to lie no matter the consequences. However, Atticus Finch is not the only character who possesses the traits of honesty and integrity, or having a good …show more content…
A majority of the people in Maycomb gossip and spread rumors about him. Despite what the hypocritical, racist habitants of Maycomb say about Arthur, he is honest and has a kind-hearted conscience as well as integrity. Arthur Radley’s integrity is shown when he rescues Jem and Scout by stabbing and killing Bob Ewell. Heck Tate implies that Arthur Radley stabbed Ewell when he says, “To my way of thinking, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight - to me, that’s a sin (Lee 317). Arthur Radley is known to be a reserved man who rarely comes outside, so when Mr. Tate vocalizes this, he is speaking of Arthur Radley. Mr. Radley killed Ewell because he feels responsible of Jem and Scout and does not care about the consequences. When Mrs. Maudie’s house catches on fire, Jem and Scout, along with the rest of the neighborhood, go outside while it is happening. When they are gathered around Miss. Maudie’s burning home, Arthur Radley puts a blanket around Jem and Scout without them knowing. The next morning, Atticus sternly asks Jem and Scout where the blanket came from and after they both exclaimed that they did not know, Atticus says, “Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.” Scout then asks him, “Thank who?” and Atticus confesses, “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put
Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in the year of 1960, and is one of the few American classic novels awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The racism that was prevalent in many southern American towns in the 1930s is brought to life with profound imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird. There are several characters in the book, yet the true main character is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is a man of great integrity and intelligence. A very heroic figure in more ways than one, Atticus possesses traits like being principled, determined, and, more importantly, he teaches others.
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is based during the era of racism and prejudice. This era is commonly referred to as The Great Depression and is during the mid-late 30’s. The novel is set in a small town and county called Maycomb, Alabama. The novel follows the story of the Finch’s and their struggle before, during, and after a rape trial that is set against an African American by a white woman and her father.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel written by Harper Lee. The novel is set in the depths of the Great Depression. A lawyer named Atticus Finch is called to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. The story is told from one of Atticus’s children, the mature Scout’s point of view. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the Finch Family faces many struggles and difficulties.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
In every situation Atticus would be truthful, no matter what or who it would hurt. In the courthouse, both Mayella and Tom Robinson had sworn to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. It was clear that Mayella was lying about what happened the day of the alleged assault, but Atticus made sure that Tom told the truth about everything that happened because he knew in the end, the truth always prevails. A tremendous example of Atticus’s honesty was the night his children were attacked by Bob Ewell. When Heck Tate arrived at the Finch residence, he delivered the news that Bob Ewell had been stabbed and was laying under a tree, dead. This brought Atticus to the conclusion that his son, Jem had killed Bob Ewell, based on the story Scout told him. Atticus thought that Jem had gotten a hold of Bob’s knife while they were fighting and stabbed him, but Heck Tate said Bob Ewell had fallen on his own knife. Atticus thought that Heck Tate was trying to cover for Jem, which he appreciated, but he didn’t want Heck Tate to cover up for Jem. Atticus said to Heck, “I’m sorry if I spoke sharply, Heck, but nobody’s hushing this up. I don’t live that way.” (Lee, 1960, p. 365). From what he thought, Atticus didn’t even want to protect his own son from the law and potential consequences if it meant he wouldn’t show honesty. This goes to show just how strongly Atticus stands by his
Even though To Kill a Mockingbird was written in 1960’s the powerful symbolism this book contributes to our society is tremendous. This attribute is racism (Smykowski). To Kill a Mockingbird reveals a story about Scout’s childhood growing up with her father and brother, in an accustomed southern town that believed heavily in ethnological morals (Shackelford).
Atticus Finch, an outstanding role model for any person trying to become a perfect father and outstanding citizen. Atticus’s actions differ from social norms so much that he is considered “too good to be true”. Atticus rushes home to word of a rabid dog, Atticus drops his glasses to take his shot and breaks the lens. Atticus “stooped and picked up his glasses, ground the broken lenses to powder under his heel” (80). Atticus taking the time to grind his glass lenses into powder so no one got hurt represents his astounding thoughtfulness for other people. Atticus has an outstanding ability to step back and observe his reality. Atticus while already knowing the outcome of the trial takes on the challenge and defends Tom Robinson to the best of his ability despite ridicules from the town. Atticus explains to Scout that “ In our courts when it 's a white man 's word against a black man 's, the white man always wins. They 're ugly, but those are the facts of life” (187). Atticus knowing this going into the trial shows his dedication and conscious decision-making skills unparalleled to anyone in the novel. Finally, Atticus’s ability to stay calm in intense situations perfectly develops his outstanding personality. Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella Ewell, confronts Atticus about the trial. Bob, with Atticus“ was a veteran of an obscure war which Atticus 's peaceful reaction prompted him to inquire. Too proud to fight you nigger-lovin’ bastard? Nope too old.” (185). Atticus’s calm reaction and ability to walk away from a fight develops Atticus’s character even further. Atticus corrects his mistakes, stands up for others, and controls himself in high-intensity situations. Lee Develops Atticus’s character to explain that even people with the most upstanding features and qualities, still fail. Lee does this to tie her philosophy on how people should be treated together with a
The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, takes place in the early 1930’s. The 1930’s was a decade of racism, pain and struggle. However, this decade soon became the new beginning. To escape the horrendous reality of being unemployed and unable to provide for their families, many turned to entertainment to escape the hardships and realities that they were going through. Many families went to church regularly to ask for forgiveness and to hope that things would change for the better.
Atticus does realize, however, that Jem and Scout will undergo cruel comments, but he believes Scout and Jem will be able to conquer them. When Bob Ewell spat Atticus, as well as threatened Atticus, it is made clear that his intent is to seek vengeance. “It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us: this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (Lee 290). This quote communicates that Mr. Ewell will stop at nothing to get revenge on Atticus for making him seem as he is a fool, which ultimately results in him dieing and wounding Atticus’s children in a way that exposes extensive clarity. Jem’s arm is now broken and Scout was injured. However, in the end, Boo Radley saves both Jem and Scout and everything serves justice when Bob Ewell seems to kill himself when falling on his knife. This signifies that Bob Ewell would no longer pester anyone about anything and will no longer be abusive of his children and continue his irresponsibility. In addition, some may counter that Atticus knows he is putting Jem and Scout in a difficult position where nearly everyone in Maycomb is criticizing them and their family. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for’” (Lee 135). Mrs. Dubose goes as far as saying that Atticus is worthless, by her definition, and is simply yet another case of the point exhibiting Maycomb’s racism and discourtesy towards Atticus, Jem, and Scout. Despite this, as a result, good is the outcome. Jem and Scout learn to overcome harsh occurrences through the use of courage, another one of Atticus’s means of getting his children to do what is honorable, and get his children to get the better of those brutal moments that drag others
The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a simplistic view of life in the Deep South of America in the 1930s. An innocent but humorous stance in the story is through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch. Scout is a young adolescent who is growing up with the controversy that surrounds her fathers lawsuit. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, with the charge of raping a white girl. The lives of the characters are changed by racism and this is the force that develops during the course of the narrative.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It is set in the 1930s, a time when racism was very prominent. Harper Lee emphasizes the themes of prejudice and tolerance in her novel through the use of her characters and their interactions within the Maycomb community. The narrator of the story, Scout, comes across many people and situations with prejudice and tolerance, as her father defends a black man.
Lee illustrates Atticus Finch as a very understanding character, especially during the Tom Robinson trial. During the revolting times of the 1930s, it was outlandish for a white man to stand up for a Negro man. For example, when the towns’ people are talking about Atticus, they say, “You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.” “Yeah, Atticus aims to defend him, that’s what is don’t like about it” (218). When Atticus is delegated to defend Tom Robinson, he not only defends him because he was ordered to. Atticus intentionally helped Tom and wanted Tom to win. Even though the towns’ people did not like Atticus aiming to defend Tom, he understood that it was his duty to help him. Another example is in chapter 22 when Bob Ewell spits on Atticus’s face. Atticus didn’t react intrusive because he knew that it would affect people’s outlook on the trial and on Tom. Atticus stood above the standard and helped a black man, which earned him respect from the Negro people in town. Atticus was very wholehearted when deciding to help Tom Robinson in the trial.
One evening, Jem and Scout are walking home from the school halloween pageant when they get attacked by Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell uses knife and tries to cut Scout, but her costume protects her. She hears a commotion behind her and assumes that Jem pulled Bob off of her. When they escape and get inside, they find out that Boo Radley is their savior and that Jem has a broken arm. The police come to take Jem and Scout´s statements. Mr. Heck Tate then comes into the house with the news that Bob Ewell is lying dead outside with a knife in his stomach. Later, Atticus and Mr. Tate are out on the porch with Scout. Thinking that Jem was the one who stabbed Bob Ewell Atticus says that Jem will be thirteen by the time he goes to court and Heck Tate says, ¨Mr. Finch, Bob Ewell fell on his knife. He killed himself.¨(p.366) Atticus thinks Heck is trying to cover up that Jem killed Bob Ewell, but Heck is actually covering up that Boo Radley did it. Atticus, being the man that he is, cannot let Heck cover up that it was Jem and he talks about being a father to Jem and says that, ¨if I connived at something like this, Frankly I couldn 't meet his eye.¨(p.366). Atticus believes in equal justice for all. Whether it be a man getting a lawyer to help defend himself, or having his own son go through the same process as everyone else
One night, Jem, Scout, and Dill follow Atticus to Maycomb’s jail. When they arrive, they notice that there is a mob-like group of men surrounding Atticus. As Scout observes, she notices one of the men she recognizes, and greets him casually, simply stating li+ nice work setting up the context for this specific quote “‘Hey, Mr. Cunningham.’” Mr. Cunningham ignores the greeting, so Scout continues the seemingly one-sided conversation by asking about “‘[how his] entailment [is] gettin’ along’” (Lee 204). Many residents of Maycomb have well entrenched views of the Cunningham family, and would never attempt such a casual conversation, because the family name alone connotes that they are outcasts. Scout, however, simply says “hey” and attempts to spark a conversation with a member of this family, defying the town conventions. Her exposure to Walter Cunningham at school, and the advice of Atticus about the Cunningham family, enables her to think in this manner. Scout’s view of the Radley family also begins narrow, but expands as she is exposed to more of their experiences. At the end of the novel, Boo Radley saves Scout and Jem from an attack by Bob Ewell. While Scout used to be afraid of Boo, when she sees him near Jem’s room after the rescue, she notices and points out that he would “‘like to say goodnight to Jem.’” She then
Atticus has a hard time choosing whether to tell the town that Bob Ewell died of an accident, or whether his son or Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Atticus is a famous lawyer in Maycomb and he believes in legal justice. Atticus learns what had really happened from Scout?s explanation of what she had seen, and heard when Bob Ewell attacked them while walking back from the school play. He understood that Bob Radley killed Bob Ewell in order to save Jem?s life. Atticus does not want to send Boo to court for the fact that Boo saved his children?s life.