Moral Strength In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Formal Essay

Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the theme of prejudice. In the novel, this theme contrasts the social hierarchies and false stereotypes that reek the town of Maycomb. Many citizens of Maycomb bear the burden of being accustomed to stereotypical beliefs due to their role in society, wealth or race. Though the status of certain individuals is highly considered in Maycomb, it is moral strength that truly makes a person admirable, and is shown through the actions of Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson and Boo “Arthur” Radley.

Atticus Finch is a prime example of how moral strength determines a person’s admiration. First, Atticus is admired by Scout by his ability to help her grow in maturity. He teaches

her important values, such as the time when he spoke of compromise. Atticus stated that, “If you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have.” (Lee 41). This teaching gives Scout admiration for her father by witnessing his diplomatic standards rather than his position or status as a father. Second, when Scout asked if Atticus was a ‘nigger-lover’, he replies that “I certainly am, I do my best to love everybody…” (Lee 144). This teaches Scout that Atticus is free of judgment, which highlights his admirable moral qualities instead of the fact that it is his position as a lawyer to be lawfully unbiased in court. Concurrently, after Atticus says his closing speech pleading Tom Robinson’s guiltiness, a symbol of respect was shown as the black audience stood in silence; “All around us and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet.” (Lee 283). This shows that the blacks stood in honour for Atticus due to his admirable attempt to save an innocent man from execution; it was not because of his status or position in society. These actions committed by Atticus prove that it is moral strength, not status that makes a person admirable.

Bob Ewell proves that moral strength indeed determines a person’s admiration; his antagonizing personality is proof of this.

First, Bob Ewell is shamed in court by Atticus when he is proven to be left-handed, thus being the only victim subject to beat Mayella Ewell. Atticus asks Bob to sign a sheet, where Bob proceeds to do so with his left-hand, right in front of the jury. Atticus clarifies, “Clearly now, so the jury can see you do it.” (Lee 237). This shows that the every witness in the courthouse saw Bob write with his left hand, thus implies that he was the one who beat his own daughter and lied. The reason for his negative reputation is not due to his class in society (being significantly poor), but due to the fact that he is witnessed to be abusive and a disheartening liar. Second, Bob is known to spend his relief cash on alcohol and thus neglects his children as they cannot afford food and do not attend school. Atticus clarifies why Burris Ewell does not go to school by saying that, “…when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains.” This implies that even though Bob is on relief checks, he is looked down upon the sole fact that he is a poor excuse of a father as he lets his children starve rather than the fact that he’s just lower class. The Cunninghams are almost as poor as Bob but do not have an infamous reputation. Consequently, Bob is caught going after innocent children in an attempt to get back at

Atticus. In an attempt to avoid a trial, Heck Tate takes a knife from Ewell and tells Atticus that he “Took it off a drunk man,” (Lee 368). Heck did this because he believes justice was served due to Bob’s infamous notoriety and that he practically convicted an innocent man to death; it was not because of his social status. These actions prove that status and position in society is irrelevant to a person’s admirable qualities.

Boo Radley is very misunderstood and is a prime suspect of being stereotyped; he is proof that admiration comes from moral strength, not status.

First, Boo Radley places a blanket over Scout when she is cold. Atticus said that it was “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you.” (Lee 95). This shows that Boo is admired for his empathetic deeds instead of his mysterious, introverted lifestyle. Second, Boo Radley is honored for defending Scout and Jem. Since Heck Tate knew that Boo killed Bob for a noble cause, he put that “It was like this… He held the knife and pretended to stumble; as he leaned forward his left arm went down in front of him.” (Lee 367). Heck admires the fact that Boo killed Bob solely in defence for the children, thus he hid the evidence of murder so that Boo would not face any charges. Finally, Boo is admired by Scout for looking after her throughout childhood. She realizes this when she puts herself in his shoes and says, “Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor.” (Lee 373). This shows that Scout admires Boo simply because he was always there for her. These show that Boo Radley proves that moral strength makes a person

admirable.