Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Depiction of blacks in Hollywood
Depiction of blacks in Hollywood
Essays systemic racism in films
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
“Complexion don’t mean a thing, it all feels the same, you like it, I love it” - Told by Kendrick Lamar. Love is a strong feeling, both being portrayed in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and in Tate Taylor’s movie The Help. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb Alabama during the Jim Crow era. Although there is a lot of hate taken place in the book, it also shows plenty of love. Atticus, a white man, father of two, and a well respected lawyer sees everyone as equal. The Help takes place in Mississippi also during the Jim Crow era. Mississippi is home to Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a white woman, single daughter, and a newspaper writer. Skeeter was born and raised to love and that's what Skeeter did, color blew over Eugenia’s head. Atticus …show more content…
and Skeeter have similar feelings on racial equality; however, they have different ways of showing it. Atticus and Skeeter both hope for an end to racial segregation.
For example, when Atticus is asked to drop the Tom Robinson case (a case where a African American man is falsely accused of rape), even though Atticus knew it was a slim chance of winning, he said no and stood up for what he believed in, Atticus reminded his kids, ”remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 119). Because Atticus was so open minded and understood that people are the same but look different. This is why Atticus is a great lawyer. The push Atticus has for the rights and well being of others makes for an amazing lawyer and father. Atticus hopes for the best for everyone, colored or not. In addition to Atticus standing up for what he believes in, Skeeter also does in The Help. Skeeter is a writer born and raised in Mississippi by her mother and maid Constantine. Her love and affection towards Constantine and seeing how similar we are made her see how bad racial segregation is, Constantine told Skeeter, “You going to do something big, wait and see.” (The Help). This shows that with proper teaching and being raised by the right people will make humans like Skeeter, open their eyes to reality and strive for a change in the country. This shows that Atticus and Skeeter both want change in America from their experiences in life. Although Atticus and Skeeter are both freedom fighters, they both have different ways of expressing …show more content…
it. Atticus and Skeeter have different styles of showing their beliefs.
For example, when Atticus speaks against racial segregation, he does not just say it, he expresses it in his work, his daughter Scout proudly says, “ The court appointed Atticus to defend Tom. Atticus aimed to defend him.”(Lee 218). This shows that even though people didn’t want Atticus to actually try to win the case for Tom Robinson, he did anyway because it was his duty to defend people, black or not. This also shows how skin complexion does not matter to Atticus and all he wants is the people to be innocent. Otherwise, Skeeter from The Help implements the support for racial equality in her work too. For instance, When Skeeter writes, instead of writing what Hilly asked she writes about the bad conditions African American maids have to deal with in a daily basis. Skeeter interviewed maids on their background and their experiences working to write her book, not only does she share others experiences with racial segregation, she also shares hers, Aibileen, a African American maid who was interviewed, talked to Skeeter saying “Whos story is left?” “Mine” (The Help). This shows that not only African Americans want change in the country, but her as well. Using Skeeter’s skill as a writer she wants to make a point in america that blacks and whites are more similar than different. This proves that Skeeter and Atticus want the same thing but they express it in their own profession. Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird
and Eugenia (Skeeter) Phelan from The Help have similar opinions on color equality, but have different ways of expressing it. They are similar because they both have a open mind towards everyone and color does not matter, black man or white. They’re different because they express their beliefs in their own branch of work. As Kendrick Lamar says, Complexion all feels the same.
Atticus Finch from, To Kill a Mockingbird, is characterized as a wise man that is an exceptional father to his children and always teaches them the right perspective about life and the people around them. He was appointed to the lawyer for a black man who “raped” a white woman. This was a bold task because it was a white woman’s word against a black man’s. While Atticus took this challenge as an opportunity to really try and win this case, everyone saw it as already lost. Atticus wanted the trial to be fair and for it to be evident that Tom, the man he was defending, was innocent. He show...
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle,” says the great Martin Luther King Jr. In the book To Kill a MockingBird by Harper Lee we see similar struggle that Dr. King battled. Atticus Finch is the only one in the small town of Maycomb willing to admit an african american might not actually be to blame. It was Atticus and Tom Roberson against Maycomb. Throughout Atticus’ interaction with the people of Maycomb he shows people the truth about equality and helped with racism. In the end we learn that it takes courage and a hard shell to beat racism, and breaking down a barrier of society can put a lot of struggle and challenge on one person.
During a time when black people were thought to be lower than white people, Atticus defended a black man in court. He said to his children, "I'm simply defending a Negrohis name's Tom Robinson," (pg. 75). It required a lot of confidence and caring for Atticus to defend Tom, and the black community knew that Tom did not stand a chance without Atticus' help. They respected him and looked to him as a hero. They showed this when they stood up for him in the courtroom. Reverend Sykes said to Scout in the courtroom, "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin," (pg. 211). The entire group of black people who were there stood up for him. Also, the parishioners at Calpurnia's church made Jem and Scout feel welcome when they visited their church. This showed that the black people also respected Atticus' family. If Atticus were just trying his best in a difficult circumstance, then he would not be as respected as he was by the black community. The black people greatly acknowledged the qualities that Atticus displayed by defending Tom and looked to him as a hero because of these qualities.
The biggest example of this is when he takes the Tom Robinson case even though he knows what everyone will think of him and how they will treat him because of taking the case. Many people in Maycomb are racist and very against Atticus defending a black man, even his own family members are against it. Jem and Scout’s cousin Francis states, “I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family.” (Lee 110) Atticus uses these hurtful words as a teachable moment to show his children how to take the criticism and hate with a grain of salt and just let it roll off. He treats everyone in Maycomb equally telling Scout “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39) This quote goes to show that Atticus is not racist and doesn't care much about social status, if someone needs a hand he is there to lend them one no matter who they
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells the story of a little girl growing up in a small Southern town during the 1930s, and facing everyday issues such as racism and growing up, and The Help by Kathryn Stockett shows the lives of black maids in the 1960s working for white women and feeling the effects of both racism and friendship from them. Despite the fact that the two books are from different time periods, The Help and To Kill A Mockingbird by are very similar novels because Celia Foote and Mayella Ewell both come from poor, white families, because both books examine society’s oppressive expectations of women from that era, and because both books show white people’s good relationships with the black people that work for them.
Firstly, Atticus Finch acts justly, fairly, and always helps others who need it. One of his clients, Mr. Cunningham, pays Atticus in entailment. Scout asks her brother, Jem what the meaning of paying in entailment is, “Jem described it as a condition of having your tail in a crack … one morning Jem and I found a load of stovewood in the back yard … Mr. Cunningham had more than paid him” (Lee 20-21). Atticus believes that no one should get any disadvantages because of one’s lower financial state. He shows justice by allowing Mr. Cunningham to pay him in different sources other than money. Also, Atticus is a very wise man. He talks to his daughter with full empathy and understanding to try and help her. When Scout is complaining about her teacher’s attitude towards her, Atticus gives her great advice that, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his shoes and walk around it” (30). He is teaching Scout to be just. He tells her to look at things from a different perspective and notice the difference from hers to someone else’s. Similarly, Atticus who is a white lawyer takes on a case of a black man, Tom Robinson. Therefore, Scout is made fun of for having her father d...
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
When most people were against him and are trying to convince him not to, Atticus was determined to continue defending Tom Robinson (an African American who was accused of raping a white lady name Mayella Ewell - Mr. Ewell's daughter). (Make it active voice ?) Due to his good morals, Atticus felt like he needs to help Tom Robinson “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience --- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (108). As addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim Crow laws manipulated individuals ethics to think that blaming African Americans is fine since all they do is not good (change the wordings). This type of discrimination made African American victims of jails and crimes that they did not even consider doing but were thought of doing because of racial segregation enforcement (popularity?) within the Southern society of the US. However, Atticus was different and believed that Tom robinson is innocent since he understood (understands?) how people discriminate others and was aware (is aware) of different types of prejudice (in that time period). So, due to Atticus’ good morals and values, he was willing to try his best to support the truth (who was right or something) and help Tom Robinson which makes him a great parent because (he is a person of morals?) of his good morals and values (delete morals and values?). Atticus (atticus’s ?) belief (of noting using one’s power to hurt each other … ?) that people should not harm each other should be admired. For instance, Miss Maudie (Atticus neighbour) was confirming to Scout that what Atticus said about Mockingbirds is right “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They
Curtis GreenTiffany ConleyENGL213027 April 2016 The Help is a book written by an American novelist, Kathryn Stockett. The story takes place in a time in Jackson, Mississippi where racism was still highly existent just as it is today. During this time, we learn of the black maids who are taking care of any needs that should be met by the white families whom they look after. Throughout the novel, we see many deals of racism as well as the way that it impacts both sides. While racism is still an issue in today 's general public, it could be incredibly decreased if we had more individuals like Miss Skeeter who showed the powerful usage of differing qualities while displaying understanding.“These women collaborate on a book detailing the “real”
...te the book, or if the story allowed for Aibileen to be in charge of her own freedom and tell her story, The Help would be relabeled as African-American fiction marginalized by its topic and not half as accepted as it has. Having the author express her interpretation of Black southern dialect to channel these women is accepted more by society which shows that oppression of black women still exist. Allowing for Miss Skeeter to try and befriend the black maids in favor of the truth is much more shocking to our culture systems. Unfortunately though, this construction is self-serving for those who accept the authors account of the story because while Skeeter gets to leave Jackson, move to New York, and presumably begin a fabulous life, Minny, Aibileen, and all the other maids are stuck to face the wrath of her doing which is the continued oppression of black women.
The two books, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Help by Kathryn Stockett both address time periods of extreme racial segregation in the South. To Kill a Mockingbird, which is set during the 1930’s in Mississippi, and The Help, which is also set in Mississippi but during the 1960’s both feature the idea that racial segregation and the unequal treatment of African Americans in the South were completely unjustified, and in both books we see similarities between African American maids working in the homes of wealthy white people.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which takes place in the racism-tainted town of Maycomb, Atticus Finch must fulfill his obligation as a lawyer by defending a black man against a rape accusation from a white women. To make this undertaking even more difficult, the verdict will be determined by an entirely white jury. While attempting this near impossible task, Atticus strives to teach his children his values and morals to prevent them from catching, what he calls, “Maycomb’s usual disease”. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus demonstrates his values through his career as a lawyer and in how he raises his children.
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...
But in spite of her being white in a town where racism is big she was very mature about all of her encounters. Skeeter defended the maids and the slaves and stood up for them as best she could. When Skeeter is watching a T.V. news broadcast the maids of her house stopped working and watched the news with her, but her mom comes in and shuts off the T.V. Her mom tells Skeeter not to give them courage or hope by watching the news and seeing that there were black people revolting, and skeeter responds by saying that they have a right to know and that they should be able to know. This shows that Skeeter cares for the well being of the maids and that she is not afraid to stick up for them. This also shows that Skeeter wants the maids to be treated fairly and with respect. When Hilly is talking to her friends she mentions making an outdoor bathroom for the maids so that they don't get tempted to use her bathroom. But in spite of her friend being a racist she still sticks up for the maids by saying that they should build an outdoor bathroom for her instead. This Proves again that Skeeter does not like the way that the maids are being treated and wants a change. This also proves that Skeeter is not afraid to defend the maids even against her own friends. Skeeter understands why black people are discriminated against but she doesn’t know why her friends still do it. She is a lot older than Scout and knows