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Historical influence of killing a mockingbird
Historical influence of killing a mockingbird
Introduction on Atticus finch
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Building Blocks
Some may say that people are meant to forge their own way in life, that they control their own course. However, that is not the full reality. A person’s role models become the basic building blocks of thought process and personality in most cases. One of the most famous fictitious positive role models of all time is the character of Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM). His influence on his children and possibly on the reader is different from the norm at the time of the book.
Atticus’ goal in life was not just to be a fair and honest person, but to be a good example to his children, a good parent. He showed his children the truth behind the Thomas Jefferson quote he used in court: the lack of difference
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between race, and that the life of a black man was to be valued over the dignity of the man’s accuser and Atticus’ own well-being and standing. His moral make up is seen when Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as is on the public streets.” (Lee 46). Atticus later admits that one of the most important reasons is to be able to be a father in good conscience. He feared that he would be unable to make eye contact with his children if he didn’t stick to his belief and give Tom the fair argument any client, regardless of race, deserves. The book Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird (UTKAM) sums this up well: “He does not raise his children according to societal rules,” (Bernard 63). He, in doing so, lays the ground for the beliefs of his children. Another role model from literature is seen in Devon, the deceased brother of Caitlin in Mockingbird. She, in her narration, says, “That’s when I realize that maybe I should listen to Mrs. Brook about making friends. Now that Devon isn’t here to tell me.” (Erskine 119). She is referencing her trouble relating to other people due to her being afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome. Devon had previously guided her in this area, with his wisdom on how to seem normal. Role models not only mentor those who look up to them with their actions, but by what they say, giving guidelines for the mentored to fill, setting a basis for the person’s actions. However, family and role models can have a negative impact.
The most common forms are probably influence and negative action toward the effected. Bob Ewell, a major antagonist in TKAM, is a great example of both. For the first form, his character shows him to be a negative influence on Mayella, creating a deep driving force behind the events which lead to the trial. He also appears to have abused her, fulfilling the second. UTKAM says, “Ewell is a drunk who… physically abuses his daughter,” (Bernard 61). If a “role model” thrusts someone down in either way, then they may stay down for many reasons.
A third way a family member or role model could negatively impact a person is through others. If the family member performs a negative deed, then the influenced or relative may be judged or expected to do something similar, even if such conclusions are wrong. A perfect example of this is seen in Mockingbird. Josh, who appears to be “a bully” at the beginning of the book, is a cousin to one of the shooters. His becoming cruel is due to the shaming he receives from others because of his cousin’s actions. How others view a person’s role model or family lays the ground of the relationship, its future, and its
impact. TKAM realistically displays a child’s looking up to a solid role model. It also shows how the views of the role model can affect the child. It shows the love Scout and Jem have for their father, and the trust of his judgement. Their reaction to the trial shows how his views affect theirs. Atticus, throughout the book, lays their building blocks for their lives.
... that complete the story of the children and the Tom Robinson trial. Although he was a flat character, he helped some of the other characters come alive. A large fragment of the meaning of this novel was growing up and maturing. Atticus nurtured the children and overall created a perfect example for them to grow up watching. In the time of this book, segregation was a big part of life in Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus, being a lawyer was in the middle of the fight between blacks and whites. Although the controversy was intense, Atticus understood the perspective of the Negroes and understood the struggle of living in Alabama at that time. When Atticus is appointed to defend Tom, he was blind as to what events would occur. Overall he was calm when people condemned him. The character of Atticus was an essential part of the novel and the lives of the people in the novel.
To conclude, it is proven during numerous instances found in Harper Lee’s award-winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, that societal pressures and the rigid rules and boundaries that society sets can overwhelm anyone of any class, race or background. It is unjust to assume anyone’s character by their set status but unfortunately, negative after-effects immediately take place as soon as one tries to step out of their preordained place. As Mayella Ewell, Scout and Jem Finch and Atticus Finch were the examples of this bitter truth, there are many other characters affected by the societal impacts on everyday life in the novel.
...s will pass on these ideas to children and family. Even so, compassion emitted from Atticus towards his children are able to shield them from the disease and make them much like Atticus, someone who would see it like it is rather than be blindfolded by the pre-conceived ideas. Wisdom and life experience also are shown as very desirable traits to have as they can motivate you through the toughest tasks and drive you to do what should be done instead of abandon your duties. In conclusion, Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the horrible prejudice and ignorance towards black people in the southern town of Maycomb, but also shows wisdom and compassion as not only desirable but necessary traits to have to withstand the bombardment of pre-conceived ideas from the people surrounding you, and also portrays these qualities as a shield to people around you.
He strives to give Scout and Jem spirit, bravery and tolerance to others. "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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). He teaches this life lesson to show that it's actually achievable to live with principles without losing sight of hope or acting skeptical. Atticus is able to highly regard Mrs. Dubose's courage even though he disapproves of her continuous acts of racism.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
Scout is a young girl growing up in the south, she is intelligent, thoughtful, and good natured. Her identity is somewhat uncommon during the time she lives in. She is characterized as a tomboy, who doesn’t always act “lady like” or proper by southern standards. Scout most likely became the type of person she is by the care of her father, Atticus. He shapes her mind, while trying to protect her from a dangerous world and preserving her childhood.
As a father, Atticus Finch tried to make his kids the best they can be. He tried teaching them that just because everyone acts a certain way, doesn’t mean they have to be close-minded and go along with it. Furthermore, he tries teaching them to always place themselves in someone’s position before judging them. Atticus leads them with example in the way he fought for Tom Robinson, tried helping Mayella Ewell deal with her father, and tried protecting Boo Radley from harassment. In conclusion, Harper Lee portrayed a sense of universal understanding in her novel.
Atticus Finch is a heroic character in To Kill A Mockingbird. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.
As a child grows, many people influence their development as a person. Some people impact more than others, and a select few really leave their mark. In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” several characters play this role. Among them, Miss Maudie Atkinson, a woman who proves herself a strong character, prevails as the one who has the greatest impact on Scout Finch, the protagonist of this novel. As Scout matures and grows up, her views on the world around her change. Through subtle yet effective ways, Miss Maudie teaches Scout many life lessons about being humble, judging, and attitude, all of which ultimately have a great effect on the kind of person Scout develops into and her outlook on the world.
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.
The most important role model that takes place in To Kill a Mockingbird is someone who
True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would want to have in the near future and those who interest us in a way that make us want to be a better person. They teach us more about ourselves and encourage us to make better choices. A role model is not just someone who is successful, but someone who has had similar experiences that we have had. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the novel, Atticus stands up for his beliefs, respects everyone despite who they are and behaves as a true father. Atticus is truly the ideal role model.
During our lives, we develop morals and values through life experiences. They can be influenced by our society and the people we surround ourselves with. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates courage, social inequality and prejudice through the characters and events in the book. We experience life lessons through the protagonist Scout Finch as she develops her own values. This is displayed through a variety of life lessons and values throughout the novel.
Bob Riley once said “Hard times don't create heroes, it is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” Author Lee shows the thoughts and feelings of each character carefully. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Atticus Finch represents Lee’s idea of social justice by demonstrating patience, wisdom and sympathy.
“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...