The theme of prejudice in To Kill A Mockingbird is about prejudice in its many forms, the most prominent case of prejudice is the hate between the blacks and whites like in the court trial with Tom Robinson. "Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-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 nigger-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. …show more content…
When Atticus explained to Scout about the Tom Robinson trial, she was a little confused because Atticus already knew he wouldn't win, but he knew it was the right thing to do. There are moments in this book that show conflict between Scout and other characters. An example of a conflict is between Scout and Cecil Jacob, a classmate. This conflict is about her father, Atticus, Cecil said that Atticus was a black-lover. Even though in the beginning of the story scout has some fights I believe Scout matures throughout the novel through her father, Atticus, and she becomes more aware of the prejudice in Maycomb County. When Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, he knows he will most likely lose the first trial. His friends and neighbors will talk behind his back for defending a black man under a capital …show more content…
This shows Atticus morals that he has must be upheld by him if he is to live with himself, for doing the right thing. The amazing and courageous part of Scout is that she has never turned down a fight in her life, but now she has to start to because Atticus had said for her not to listen to what people say and most importantly walk away from the fight. Another way of showing courage is when Jem and Scout went to church with Calpurnia even though it was an all black church and they were the only white people
There 's a point in everyone 's life when people are forced to wear a mask to hide their true selves. People want to fit into what they think is normal. Most of the time, the individual behind the mask is very different from what they are being perceived as. They can be evil and wicked, or they can be smart, loving, and caring. Characters in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee live through the Great Depression and Segregation. They all have qualities that make them unique in their own ways. In the town of Maycomb, Alabama, citizens are put under stereotypes all throughout the novel. Characters get assigned labels that aren 't entirely correct. Dolphus Raymond, Mayella Ewell, and Boo Radley are all products of what it looks
For a younger character, like Scout, courage is most often associated with a physical act that is usually dangerous. It is hard for young children like that to realize that greater courage is shown in other aspects of life. Scout sees an example of courage in her father when he shoots the mad dog. Although Atticus did not think of it as very courageous, Jem and Scout were proud of their father and the courage he showed in the situation. He was not trying to prove anything, yet they were still impressed. Later on in the story, Jem and Scout encounter the vindictive Mrs. Dubose. "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" (Chapter 11, Page 113) When she bad- mouthed Atticus like that, Jem decided that the best way to settle things was to ruin Mrs. Dubose's camellias. After Atticus heard about this stunt, Jem was made to read to her every afternoon for a month. Mrs. Dubose was a very sick lady, and had morphine to ease her pain. It was not until after she died that Atticus explained to Jem and Scout how courageous the lady was because she knew she was dying but was still determined to die free of the morphine. She fought against great odds, even though she knew that she would surely die. Between these two examples Atticus set, and the many more he showed in the way he lived his life, Scout was taught to stop fighting with her fists and to try and overcome opposing opinions with her head, rather than with physical violence.
Three students kicked out of a high school for threatening to bring a gun to school. Why would they? Because people were prejudice against them because other students thought they were “losers”. Moral: You shouldn’t not like a person because they aren’t like you. Prejudice was far much worse in the time period of To Kill A Mockingbird. But, Prejudice is the reason for much social injustice. Three characters named Nathan Radley, Atticus Finch, and Aunt Alexandria show us this in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird.
Prejudice is a strong word. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, a black man, Tom Robinson, was accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, and was brought to trial. There were distinct views concerning Tom Robinson's innocence – views influenced by prejudice. The townspeople of Maycomb believed in Tom's guilt while Atticus and the children believed in Tom's innocence.
Scout is an extremely courageous character too. Since I've told you about the Cecil Jacobs' conflict you might be thinking, "What a JERK!!" Scout does too and wants to make him eat a knuckle-sandwich! The amazing and courageous part is that she has never turned down a fight in her life but now she does because Atticus had said for her not to listen and most importantly of all not to fight back. So she is not fighting back because of her love for Atticus but taking the blow, as in letting them call her and her father names. I call this being a courageous human-being. This drama is shown on pages 75-77. I have taken an example from pages 76-77:
Scout was a hero when she confronted Mr. Cunningham within the mob of people at the jail where Tom Robinson was being held. In her perspective she thought, “Mr. Cunningham displaed no interest in his son, so I attacked his entailment once more in a last-ditch to make him feel at home.” (Lee 205) Scout stood up to Mr. Cunningham and faced him head on even though he had the intention to get rid of Tom Robinson. She exemplified true bravery and courage trying to protect Atticus, sacrificing her safety in order to keep Atticus safe and if it had not been for her, Atticus probably woud have wownd up dead. Scout protected Atticus by putting Mr. Cunningham in Atticus’ shoes at the risk of her life for that matter. In addition, Scout let Francis get away with calling Atticus an “n-word” lover. She even has Uncle Jack promise something for her, “Promse you won’t tell Atticus about this.” (Lee 114) Atticus did not want Jem and Scout to get fussed up over what others have been calling him, yet when Scout and Francis fight, Scout let’s this go. Scout gave into the greater good by letting Francis get away without a scolding. This made Scout a hero because she knew that Atticus was under a lot of stress and she sacraficed her pride so she would at least know that Atticus does not need to worry about them. Lastly, Scout’s stance for defending human rights made her a hero through the fact that she was a social outcast.
Prejudice is arguably the most prominent theme of the novel. It is directed towards groups and individuals in the Maycomb community. Prejudice is linked with ideas of fear superstition and injustice.
Prejudice as defined by the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is, “a feeling of like or dislike for someone or something especially when it is not reasonable or logical.”prejudice is prevalent through many of the characters in the book. Scout, is the book’s narrator and is 7 at the beginning of the book. Her father, Atticus is a lawyer in the town of Maycomb, where the story takes place. Tom Robinson, a black character, is also very important throughout the plot of the book. Tom was accused of raping a white girl, Mayella and was sentenced to a trial which the book centers around. Throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, she implies that prejudice, whether it be social
Prejudice is a real life problem in the world. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee describes the prejudices found in a small American town in the 1930's. Race, social class, and gender are examples of prejudice.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, many different themes come into view. One major theme that played a big role in the character’s lives is racial prejudice. Racism is an unending problem throughout the book. The song “Message from a Black Man” by The Temptations has many similarities to the theme of racial discrimination. Therefore, both the novel and the song prove that racism was a great obstacle for some people at a point.
Throughout human history, prejudice has caused more violence than almost anything else. Prejudice and discrimination still happens till this day. Sometimes children can also be taken of their innocence with the horrors of prejudice which is true in the case of Jem and Scout. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch says, “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” (39). People often fail to examine a situation from someone else view because their opinions are biased. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows readers just how damaging prejudice really is when it is caused by rumors, race, and another man’s beliefs.
Harper Lee introduces Scout as an insensible tomboy caught in the midst of contrite prejudicial conception. She has not yet discovered what is right and wrong due to various misconceptions that the people of Maycomb influence her with. ?Don?t say nigger, Scout. That?s common? (75). This particular quote is said by Atticus, Scout?s father, while referring to Scout?s racial ignorance towards African Americans. This quote portrays her social standing at the beginning of the novel as she tends to act ignorant by speaking with rude racial terms. ?Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand? I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough?? (92). This quote expressed by Atticus describes Scout?s mental and emotional state near the dawning of the novel. Scout is given influential lessons through the form of words on what to think therefore she is misguided by false pretenses. These ?pretenses? may be misleading, consequently Scout is basing her beliefs about prejudice on the conceptions of others instead of what Scout truly believes. Although Scout?s ...
Atticus teaches Scout and Jem many lessons throughout the novel, which includes courage. For example, when Atticus tries to educate his children about courage, he says to Jem that “he wanted [him] to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” (Lee, 112) This is important, because Atticus sends a universal message of the definition of courage. This shows not only a moral, but a moral on a true and sincere note. An example of indirect courage, is when Atticus mentions that, “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule, is a person’s conscience” (Lee, 105) This shows that any person has the power to change his or her mind regardless of the majority’s opinion. This is important, because a person needs courage to use their conscience to make a decision , even if it is against the majority. Atticus did the right thing, by teaching his children what real courage is.
Scout believes at the beginning of the book that courage is all to do with physical feats like fist fighting. Scout and Jem though Atticus was courageous when he shot the mad dog, but Atticus just shrugged it off telling his children that that is not ? real courage?. The children soon see that moral courage is more valuable after Miss Dubose said "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" Chapter 11, Page 113 after they walked past her house.
When You Think Of a criminal, what pops into your head? Around 50 years ago, black men were 5 times more likely to be locked up in jail than white men. Today, black men are 6 times more likely than white men to confined in prison. There are differing opinions about racism in America. Even though some americans believe that America will someday achieve true racial and social equality, America will never achieve true racial and social equality because americans can be rude and they stereotype people because of their skin color, race, or gender.