Examples Of Hypocrisy In To Kill A Mockingbird

What do you call a term that turns simple words into being covertly used against one another and have been used by the Government, politicians, media and so forth? This term is called “Hypocrisy”. Hypocrisy is commonly used to gain power and self respect. In most novel, characters and situation always include hypocrisy in between human nature and injustice.

In the novel To Kill a MockingBird by Harper Lee,many of the characters showed signs of hypocrisy. For example, Tom Robinson portrays as a victim of hypocrisy throughout the novel, as well as his race of being an African American. In the event of Tom Robinson being convicted for taking advantage of Mayella Ewell, most of Maycomb thought he was guilty, despite the facts that Tom

Robinson is a cripple, a good samaritan and an honest man- he was still believed to take advantage of Mayella Ewell because he is a person of color. For example; Scout’s teacher, Mrs. Gates was discussing with her class about the evils and racism of Hitler towards the Jews and acknowledges the class, “There are no better people in the world than the Jews"(Lee 245) and wonders out loud why Hitler opposes of that idea. Yet earlier, Scout overhears Miss Gates telling Miss Stephanie that "It's time somebody taught 'em a lesson... the next thing they think they can do is marry us." Miss Gates was targeting Maycomb's Negroes, and Scout wonders how someone can defend a group of strangers but despise the people who is living in her hometown. Moreover, Aunt Alexandra is an obvious protagonist of hypocrisy. Throughout the novel, she has been described to talk nothing but dependant of hypocrisy. Aunt Alexandra believes that congenital traits plays a role of determining the personality of an individual. Granted that the Finch family is one of Maycomb's oldest inhabitant, she thinks highly of herself and all family members of the Finch family. In addition, when Aunt Alexandra and her missionary circle gathered at Atticus’ house, they discussed about improving the lives of the people in Africa where the missionary is in and blathered on about how awful it is to live there and discussed how they could help. However, they are all racist towards the black people in town and gossips about Calpurnia right after she leaves. Throughout their meeting, Mrs. Merriweather lectures the circle about being a good Christian and uses herself as an example of a perfect Christian. Conversely, she reports Northerners as “hypocrites” for freeing African Americans. She notes,” At least we don’t have that sin on our shoulder down here. People up there set ‘em free” (Lee 234). Correspondingly, in the short story The Paper Bag Princess by Robert H. Munsch. The Princess went through obstacles and adversity just so she will be reunited with Prince Ronald. Although, Prince Ronald rejects her because she is covered in filth from head to toe. The Princess stood up for herself and turned the Prince into a frog. In result, Prince Ronald became something he despises.

Furthermore, hypocrisy can not be avoided in life situations.

It will always be there whether it is perceptible or within subliminal messages. For instance, fairy tales do a scad more to entertain their viewership. Their heroes and villains teach important lessons about life to understand the world in an easy way children can. Although, not all the lessons fairytales teach are always good for children. Villains and protagonists are often exaggerated by the way they look and act like. Thus, from a very young age, children learn not only learn to judge the way people look, but also learn to stereotype an abundant of individuals. It is understood that fairytales has the intention to teach young individuals independence and strength. In contrast, fairytale princesses often do nothing for themselves to achieve triumph. Instead, they let everyone else do everything and take over their obligations. In the same fashion, the protagonist in the short story About School by an Unknown Author shows an act of independence and individual personality from his schoolmates. Even though the school forces creativity upon students, they are still compulsed to think and act similar to each other. Thus, creating labels and stereotypes. As an example, To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson is shown as a victim of racism and labelling by Maycomb’s individuals who describes themselves as “God fearing”. The entire novel shows Christian hypocrisy against colored individuals. Tom

Robinson knows he is innocent and have a chance of winning against the Ewells but, he let his fear take over him causing him to underestimate Atticus Finch’s expertise. The majority of the short stories throughout this semester has protagonist and antagonists being underestimated over their capability. As an illustration, in the short story Kagsagsuk by Redish L. and Lewis O. illustrates an orphan boy being mistreated and pushed around by the villagers. He eventually snapped and ran to an Amarok whom transformed him into the mightiest man on earth. Throughout his transition, nobody notices his changes and continuously torments him. When the villagers found out that the wretched driftwood is gone, no one bats an eye at Kagsagsuk but instead, they take the title for themselves. Forthwith Kagasagsuk’s assassination of the bears-the villagers started treating him like a god and honoring him, seeking forgiveness despite what they have done to Kagsagsuk. Not to mention, Cinderella Undressed by Barbara Brotman, she points out all the flaws and feminist hackles, “ The overall message was it’s OK if you do that because a fairy godmother is going to come and everything is going to be OK.” (Brotman). Cinderella has aroused particular antipathy. Lieberman wrote,” Cinderella and the other stories of this type show children that the girl who is singled out for rejection and bad treatment, and who submits to her lot, weeping but never running away has a special compensatory destinity waiting for her.” Many people underestimate the power that fairytales bring to children. These lessons can grow up with the children, permanently having the idea that there will always be prince charming despite the abuse they get.

Human nature is the characteristics, feeling and conduct attribute of humankind.

Unfortunately, violence has been a main part of humanity evolving. Violence has become an ordinary thing in the world despite the age group of viewers and what it may lead to. Critics say that violence on television is “a contributing cause to violence” in society. Although, the studies conducted by psychologist George Gerbner of the University of Pennsylvania led him to believe that television violence led him to believe that what happens on the screen is one way of preserving social order in real life. Audience crave violence in television and that is why more of these shows are made. They control the dial and chooses a show of their choice, leading more children accidentally or volunteeringly watch materials made for adult viewers. Violence has become ordinary in television that we have become desensitized enough to not become bothered to see several murderers in a week. Children cartoons is also an example of this fact, “Each week, the Road Runner eludes the Coyote, who is smashed with anvils, thrown by catapults, burned with blow torches, hit with rocks, shot with arrows, and generally beaten up. (Crawford). Human nature has it’s strengths and weaknesses. Trust being one of it’s strengths. While that being one of the strengths, it also does not mean people do not try to do the opposite and cause doubt. In the short story Grace by Vicki L. Sears, Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim started off

paranoid and protective over each other due to their past experiences at the orphanage. But when Grace and Paul adopted them, they did everything to make Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim feel at home and safe. Although this took quite awhile; Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim put everything in the past behind them and fell in love with their new parents. Everything was great until tragedy struck them. The news of Paul’s death broke Grace’s heart. Soon after, despite the effort Grace and Paul has done for the children, Grace tells them that they will be brought back to the orphanage whilst giving an explanation about why this is happening. In spite of, Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim did not understand what was going on except the feeling of being abandoned and unwanted once again. Regardless of Grace and Paul doing everything to convince Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim to trust them. They were the ones to abandon them after a relationship has been made. In like manner, the short story The Father by Hugh Garner has shown an alike relationship that Grace and Paul had with Jodi-Ann and Billie Jim. John Purcell- the father, gave very little attention to his son, Johnny Purcell. But when he was finally aware of absence as a father role-model; he took on an attempt to become a great supportive father-even though he thought he already was. Regardless of his effort, he still failed to avoid alcohol which further on resulted a chaos in front of everyone-including his own son. In result, Johnny drew further away from his father to a greater extent. Now, beliefs have always been a way for humankind to get together. But it is not always for the greatest extent. In To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harpe Lee, Christianity was used more of shield and weapon against outsiders-in this case, against coloured individuals. Beliefs does bring people together, but they always shuns anyone with the opposite beliefs and background. In similar fashion, Kagsagsuk’s belief in Amarok led him to believe he is the mightiest man on earth, which he has become. Although, his newfound strength gave him the theory that he is allowed to do whatever he wants-leading him to killing everyone that has once shunned and tormented him.

Injustice has many faces. From a simple understatement to an extent of corruption. An example of injustice is racism. Tom Robinson was an obvious honest man who had nothing but good deeds in his mind. But despite his innocence, he is looked down on because he is black. People of color are seen as individuals are who valued less because they are different from the majority of people. To most people racism is when one belief that his or her genetically physical characteristics is better than the characteristics of another individual. In modern day where there are laws against discrimination of any sort and words," we are created equally "are said almost everywhere, one will think racism does not exist anymore and is just a part of history. But racism is still around because the causes of racism still exist. In the short tale, A Cap For Steve by Morley Callaghan, Steve was shown wasting money on something valueless all because he was in favor of getting it despite his parent’s lecture. Steve misunderstood and decided to lash out on his parents and thought of them as nothing but critics. Parents are often misunderstood and treated poorly by their children because they think they know better. Thus, causing disagreement amongst their family despite their parent’s effort to help. Another example of injustice are ‘mobs’. When Atticus Finch was guarding Tom Robinson at the county jail, a mob of Maycomb’s men came with weapons to confront Tom Robinson. How was this fair? One man against numerous armed individuals. Mobbing can also mean a person who has become the focal point of bullying abuse by numerous people. Meaning, bullying is also plays a part of injustice.

Given these points, Hypocrisy is used to gain power and respect. In novels and articles; hypocrisy plays a huge part in humankind. Hypocrisy comes in very different varieties. It states of pretending to have feelings, virtues, beliefs and proposition, that one does not possess.