Man's Inhumanity to Man

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Recommended: Racial Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System

Man's inhumanity to man is a phrase that was first written down by the poet Robert Burns in his poem titled Man was made to mourn: A Dirge in 1784.

"Many and sharp the num'rous ills

Inwoven with our frame!

More pointed still we make ourselves

Regret, remorse, and shame!

And man, whose heav'n-erected face

The smiles of love adorn, -

Man's inhumanity to man

Makes countless thousands mourn!"

This phrase has been displayed throughout history including in the times in which the book To Kill a Mockingbird was written. The two main examples of this include the tragedy of the Jews in World War II and the African American's during the slave trade, and throughout time.

The phrase man's inhumanity to man is one of the major themes of the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the book is examples of inhumane acts that even children recognize. Similarities and differences between the treatment of animals and humans are shown that cannot be disregarded. Certain scenes in the book scream out from the pages, "DO YOU NOT SEE THE IRONY?" Unfortunately, the only people who truly support justice either aren't powerful enough to get past the stubbornness of prejudice, aren't brave enough to take a stand, or are too young.

The comparison between humans and animals is made between the two characters Tom Robinson, an African American, and Tim Johnson, the town dog. When Tim Johnson became ill with rabies, there was no hesitation in the people to stay imprisoned in their homes, locked up tight, until the dog was shot dead. When Tom Robinson was accused of rape no one rested till he went on trial, was subjected to being guilty, and was shot, trying to escape the confinement he didn't deserve. One important difference was ...

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...une 2011. .

Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY. "Suicide Among 15 to 24 Year Olds by Gender, Race/Ethnicity and State." Www.hawaii.edu. Web. 2 June 2011. .

To Save a Life, New Song Pictures. "The Story." To Save A Life - Official Movie Site - Now Available on Blu-ray & DVD - To Save A Life Movie. Web. 02 June 2011. .

Wikimedia Foundation Inc. "All Men Are Created Equal." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 31 May 2011. Web. 02 June 2011. .

Wikimedia Foundation Inc. "Man's Inhumanity to Man." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 02 June 2011. .

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