Education In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic. This book should still be taught for reasons such as; it teaches students about social inequality, education back then, perspective, and racism. This book touches so many big themes that matter in life or did at some point.

Social inequality is made clear when Scout attends school on her first day and Walter Cunningham has no lunch or lunch money, because of this the other students ask Scout to explain to their teacher, Miss Caroline why he won’t take a loaned quarter to buy himself lunch. Scout goes on to say, “Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham.” (Lee 20) Sure this doesn’t seem like it would make a good explanation as to why, but in the book it makes perfect sense; because further

on, Atticus speaks to Scout about the Cunningham situation when Scout asks if Mr. Cunningham would ever pay them he goes on by saying, “Not in money,” Atticus said, “but before the year’s out I’ll have been paid. You watch.” (20) Jem and Scout watched and found a load of stovewood in the back yard. Later, a sack of hickory nuts appeared on their back steps. With Christmas came a crate of smilax and holly. That spring they found a crockersack full of turnip greens, Atticus said Mr. Cunningham had more than paid him. Scout then asks Atticus, “ Why does he pay you like that?” (21) He says, “Because that’s the only way he can pay me.” (21) Scout innocently asks him then if they’re poor, which he answers yes. Though they are not as poor as the Cunninghams. Since the Cunninghams were farmers the crash hit them the hardest, besides the black society. Scout now has and the other children have a clear understanding of the social inequalities in their town, but they see these inequalities as only normal and permanent. The Finch family ends up high up in the social hierarchy, while the Ewell family is at the bottom. However, this hierarchy only includes white people. Maycomb's black society are under all white families in Maycomb, including the Ewells, who Atticus labels as "trash". Learning about social inequality and understanding it is important because it is something that affects the world still today. For instance, we might have heard someone say at some point something similar when they’re referring to others as being “on the wrong side of things,” or not being “our kind.” We have taken notice of what others have (or don’t have), what they wear, what sort of houses they live in, what schools they go to, and what kind of job they or their parents have; because of this, a few of us may treat them differently and are given better opportunities than others. We just notice them for their differences and we need to learn that’s not right and To Kill A Mockingbird points out social inequality and makes us realize this has not changed much through time.

Education is another thing that is pointed out in this book, and this matters because we can look back and see how far education has come. For example, Scout is starting her first year of schooling and right to the start she is being told to forget everything her father has ever taught her and only focus on the learning schedule of the system by Miss Caroline. “Now you tell your father not to teach you anymore. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I will take over from here and try to undo the damage.” (17) Miss Caroline a newly graduate from college was introducing and trying to instill a new way of teaching known as, Dewey Decimal System. Looking forward to present time we can really learn to appreciate the education we have now. Our education today allows us to advance in our learning and or go over our learning to better understand it. Back then you could clearly not say that was possible. You had to follow along with everyone else at the same pace and level no matter your capabilities. This is what To Kill A Mockingbird shows us.

"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." (30) Perspective is something we always need to take into consideration, and it’s brought up throughout the novel. Atticus tries to instill in his children to always step into the shoes of another person and understand their view on things before making any judgements or decisions. This is fairly important because some of us immediately jump to conclusions or judge a person before really getting to know them and their story, and it’s not something to be proud of. This novel forces us look upon ourselves on how we go about viewing others and how maybe next time we should try to better understand someone and really take the time to get to know them. Again, another lesson To Kill A Mockingbird teaches

us.

We’re all not clueless when it comes to what a big deal racism is and this is talked about several times in the book. For instance, Scout is troubled because people are starting to refer to her as a “niggar-lover” and she goes to Atticus in which he goes on to explain, “Scout,” Atticus, “niggar-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything-like snot-nose. It’s hard to explain-ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It’s slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.”

“You aren’t really a niggar-lover, then, are you?”

“I certainly am.

I do my best to love everybody...I’m hard put, sometimes-baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.” (108) During that time blacks and whites were not allowed to mingle in public settings, because blacks were still seen as below the white society and you were looked down upon if you were caught seen together. Mr. Raymond once told Jem and Scout that he carried around a paper sack with Coca-Cola inside to appear as an alcoholic in order to let the town excuse his choice in marrying a black women. The fact that anyone had to refrain from being with who they wanted or had to pretend to be something their not because of the person’s race is completely sad and not right. Everyone should have the freedom to be with who they wish and be who they are without being judged and labeled for

it.
In conclusion, To Kill A Mockingbird should remain being taught in schools because like stated before it teaches us about social equality, education, perspective, and racism. Themes that should not be ignored and taken seriously.