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Which character matured/changed over the course of the to kill a mockingbird novel
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Racism in literature
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Everyone wants to be accepted for who they are, but accepting other people’s differences can be extremely hard. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is all about accepting people for their differences. The acceptance of other races is explored when Jem and Dill find out the Mr. Raymond, the town “drunk”, is married to an African American woman by choice. Scout learns a lesson of accepting people when Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner. Finally, the story of Boo Radley teaches children to accept those with mental disabilities. As our protagonists learned more about the other characters they find it easier to accept them, and they learn that people are not what everyone else makes them out to be. Jem and Dill learn that Mr. Raymond
is married to an African American woman by choice. Jim Crow laws were in effect and is described as a “system of racial segregation and discrimination” (Clayborne, American Civil Rights Movement). At the time that this novel was written segregation was very common in the south and many white people did not like the African Americans because of their race, because of that everyone thought Mr. Raymond, a white man, should not be married to an African American woman. This was extraordinarily beneficial in teaching us about the acceptance of others regardless of their race. When Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner, Scout learns a valuable lesson about accepting people that are less fortunate than her. “Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He would probably have poured it into his milk had I not asked him what the sam hill he was doing”(Lee, 24). Walter is from an extremely poor family and to them having molasse on food and Scout criticizes him for putting a lot on. She is taught a lesson about accepting people that are less fortunate than her here. Boo Radley’s story teaches the children about accepting people who have mental disabilities. “Boo is the town's gossip. His family does not participate in the usual social activities, so the town makes up stories about him. Many people fear their family and their home. Some people even walk long distances to go around another way than to go near their home”(Boo Radley). Many of the townsfolk do not like Boo and make up stories about him to make him sound like a monster, but it is found that he is not a monster and is actually a caring person when he risks his life to save the children from being attacked by Bob Ewell. The kids learn to accept him for who he is not what other people make him out to be. In conclusion, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is all about accepting all kinds of people and their differences. Mr. Raymond is in an interracial marriage which at that time was considered wrong. Walter Cunningham is a member of a very poor family. Finally, Boo Radley was the outcast of the town because he was different and was made fun of and feared by the other townsfolk. Overall, Harper Lee made her novel all over the acceptance of all kinds of people and their differences
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.
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.
To begin with, according to the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, accepting those who are “different from ourselves” is to be more understanding of the differences in others. In the novel, Mr. Raymond, tries to
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.
Symbolism. Why is it important in a novel? Why do authors incorporate symbols into their writing? Symbolism aids the reader in understanding what the author wants to portray. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, she writes about the racism in a small town in Alabama named Maycomb set in the 1930’s and about two children growing up and learning that their town is not as perfect as they thought. The theme topic appearance versus reality helps to get a better understanding of the symbols used in the novel and that you should not judge something by their appearance, you should judge by the reality of what it is. “As Atticus once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.” (Scout page 77) In her novel, there are many symbols throughout the narrative that relate to the theme topic appearance versus reality. Harper Lee writes symbols into her novel, such as the snowman, Mrs. Dubose’s Camellia flower and Dolphus Raymond’s Coca-Cola bottle to help reinforce the theme topic of appearance versus reality throughout the novel.
One of the first lessons taught in Mockingbird is the power of understanding other people’s perspectives. Initially, Scout has trouble empathizing with other people, especially her first Grade Teacher, Miss Caroline, whom Scout becomes frustrated at for not understanding Maycomb’s complex social structure. After hearing his daughter complain, Atticus tells Scout that she'll “get along a lot better with all kinds of folks [if she] considers things from [their] point of view” (39). After ‘standing in the shoes of another person’, it is much harder to be prejudiced towards that person. Indeed, this may be because a key tenet of prejudice is disregarding the views of whoever is being judged. Nevertheless, it proves difficult for Scout to grasp this relatively simple concept, who begins to hear rumors of Boo Radley, an enigma who has not been seen outside his home for over 30 years. Thus begins Jem and Scout’s quest to make Boo Radley come outs...
There is no doubt that Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a famous novel known for its themes, most of them containing wise life lessons, racial inequality being an obvious and important one. Firstly, racism illustrates the lack of justice and people’s views on prejudice in Tom Robinson’s case. Secondly, the novel touches base on diction notably the racial slurs used. Finally, with racism being a theme of the novel, it affects the characters’ personalities. Harper Lee uses life lessons, diction and characters throughout the novel because it develops the main theme of racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Do you not believe we need more compassion and tolerance in the world? Why can we not be like Atticus, Jem or Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee? These characters show great compassion and tolerance throughout the novel despite the society they live in. They have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
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.
Honesty is a rare trait that few people are able to perfect, but a trait more people should have to make the world a better place. Mrs. Dubois is harshly opinionated and honest leading to Scout learning more about herself, Atticus stays ardent in his morals and beliefs concluding in a new look on black folk in Maycomb, and Tom Robinson is honest with himself enabling him to die with dignity. Honesty is a prominent topic shown through many characters of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Growing up in a prejudiced environment can cause individuals to develop biased views in regard to both gender and class. This is true in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, where such prejudices are prevalent in the way of life of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. The novel is centered around the trial of a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. The narrator, a young girl named Scout, is able to get a close up view of the trial because her father is defending Tom Robinson, the defendant. The aura of the town divided by the trial reveals certain people’s prejudices to Scout, giving her a better perspective of her world.
The novel To Kill A MockingBird is primarily based on the problems associated with prejudice and cultural bias during the 30’s. These themes that are explored by Harper Lee allow’s a greater approach to referencing belonging and most of
To Kill A Mockingbird By: Brandon, Thomas Compassion, understanding and forgiveness. "Any ordinary favour we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but may be planting a seed we can't see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can't design or ordain. " Sharon Salzberg.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It is set in the 1930s, a time when racism was very prominent. Harper Lee emphasizes the themes of prejudice and tolerance in her novel through the use of her characters and their interactions within the Maycomb community. The narrator of the story, Scout, comes across many people and situations with prejudice and tolerance, as her father defends a black man.
Honesty is the cruelest game of all, because not only can you hurt someone - and hurt them to the bone - you can feel self-righteous about it at the same time. Dave Van Ronk. This quote goes to show that the purpose of honesty is to not hurt others essentially but to bring out the truth. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, displays morality and ethics as a predominant them, it presents honesty as a virtue, but it also suggests that honesty is not always the best policy. The novel goes to show that honestly can be harmful in the way you approach it. In the beginning of the novel Lee shows us that children are young and aren’t aware of what is acceptable to say in their society, but their elders quickly show them what is morally correct and that honesty isn’t always the best policy. Although honesty is taken very seriously in to kill a mockingbird the novel suggests is alright to tell a white lie because they are socially accepted when they do no harm. Lee shows us that although honesty is important it is morally acceptable to lie order spare someone’s feeling or protect them or yourself from physical harm. This novel goes to convey that too much honesty will lead to trouble and conflicts between the community and you, therefore honesty is not the best policy.