Compare And Contrast Tom Robinson Trial And To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee takes inspiration for her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, from her own life experiences. The story tells about the lives of Jean Louise Finch and Jem Finch, the two children of a talented lawyer, who introduces them to racism and bigotry at a very young age. The Tom Robinson trial, similar to the Scottsboro trial, causes Jem and Scout to recognize the distinctly different types of people living in Maycomb. Man’s inhumanity to man compels Harper Lee to uncover the shameful acts of society; these injustices, especially those of the Tom Robinson trial, open Scout and Jem’s eyes to the defective perspectives held by society; reading To Kill A Mockingbird, leads me to wonder how far our society has truly come.
Harper Lee addresses prejudice, tolerance, and the courage it takes to make a societal change. For instance, Harper grew up hearing the reactions and suffrage taking place during the Scottsboro trial. She takes inspiration for her novel by including an all white jury, rushed trials, and an attempted lynching in her retelling. Both the Tom Robinson trial and the Scottsboro

trial represent racial discrimination, the dividing factor between Americans in the 1930s. Furthermore, when Harper introduces the fictional town of Maycomb, she includes that Atticus believes the town is infected with racism. Unlike the rest of the town, the Finches denounce racism. Atticus understands and believes that society treats non-whites unjustly and attempts to fight for what is right. Harper demonstrates discrimination and Americans inhumanity to non-whites as the basis of her novel.
After the Tom Robinson trial, Scout matures and understands the prejudice going on in the society. For example, when the judge calls Mayella to the stand Scout thinks, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (Lee, 323). Scout realizes that no matter how convincing her father's argument is, Tom has no chance. She finally begins to understand how cruel and unjust society truly is. Furthermore, when Scout walks Boo home, she waits on his porch and observes, “I had never seen our neighborhood from this angle” (Lee, 373). At this point, Scout fully understands Atticus’ advice and watches the world from another's perspective. As well as seeing the neighborhood from a new point of view, she gains insight into Authur’s life, looking at it from a new angle and thus discovering new things about her own life. Although Scout isn’t old enough to realize how unfair the verdict is, she matures after noticing other people’s reactions.
The Tom Robinson trial exposes Jem Finch to society's flawed views which leads to his eventual loss of innocence. For example, as Jem and Scout hear the verdict for the first time, Scout watches Jem “Judge Taylor was polling the jury: 'Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty...' I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each "guilty" was a separate stab between them…” (Lee,282) Before the verdict, Jem believes that Tom will be found innocent because he believes in the morality of man. However, justice is not served and prejudice and bigotry take the day as Tom is found guilty. Furthermore, as Jem, Scout, and Atticus leave the courtroom, Scout realizes, “[Jem’s] face was streaked with angry tears..”it ain't right” (284). Jem realizes how unfair the verdict is and feels pain, not for himself, but for every african american who feels the effects of racism. Jem has finally lost his innocence and matures after his introduction to the cruel world.
To Kill A Mockingbird, has impacted the ways that I think about the different types of people in our society.

For example, when Jem, Atticus and Scout are discussing the unfair verdict, I can not help but praise Atticus. Although everyone knows that Tom has little to no chance, Atticus makes an amazing case and at least attempts to to free Tom, something very few will do. He boldy takes a case which he knows is nearly impossible simply because it is the right thing. Furthermore, I believe that our society has come a long way since the 1930’s, but I also think that America is nowhere near where we should be. Although racism has decreased tremendously, it is still evident today. I think that until society as a whole learns to treat everyone with respect, America will not grow as a nation. Harper lee completely changes my views on society and makes me want to take a stand on

racism.
All in all, the social injustices during the 1930s will always be a definitive part of America's history. Harper Lee describes these injustices in hopes she can influence Americans to make a change. Many characters undergo changes throughout the novel, but the most obvious change is Jem and Scout; both mature but encounter a loss of innocence in the process. Finally, Harper Lee helps me discover my place in society as well as how to help others uncover theirs.