Theme Of Good And Evil In To Kill A Mockingbird

931 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: To kill a mockingbird good vs evil

Good Versus Evil: To Kill A Mockingbird Where there is good there is evil and where there is evil there is good. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, demonstrates the prejudice many faced during that time, and is shown through the eyes of a young girl named Scout. Scout learns through her experiences many life lessons that cause her to mature very quickly. One of the many themes played out in To Kill A Mockingbird is good versus evil. Good versus evil mainly plays out the fact that good and evil live side by side and is shown through the actions of friends or family, the corruption of good men, and from unlikely people. Scout and Atticus are having talk after people had been rude to Atticus because he is defending an African-American …show more content…

He thought that the attorneys had picked the most level headed men. Atticus’ response to the statement is, “Those are twelve reasonable men in everyday life, Tom’s jury, but you something come between them and reason”(Lee 295;chapter 23). The thing that came between the men’s reason (the good) was prejudice (the evil). Soon Atticus had also stated that when the jury had to faced the decision of believing a white man versus a black man, the white man would always win (Lee 295;chapter 23). In this case evil has corrupted a man’s reason when faced with a very important decision and is an example of how vulnerable one’s blind spots are. This especially can be seen in the case of Mr. Cunningham, Walter Cunningham's dad. The novel firsts introduces Mr. Cunningham as a good man, true to his word, and loyal. However, the second time the novel depicts him he is leading a mob to hurt Tom Robinson and anybody in their way: this means Atticus. Scout was luckily able to stop them but was confused the next morning. Atticus took the liberty of explaining to her that, “Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man, he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us”(Lee 210;chapter 16). This statement further proves that somethings good people get misguided (corrupted) and do the wrong things. Like all people not everyone is perfect and not everyone who is thought to be bad is …show more content…

After being caught, he was forced to stay in his home his entire life. This lead to people to create rumors about him being crazy, scary, and just all out mean; essentially, evil. However, as the novel unfolds it shows us many things that Boo does that is out of character from what people depict of him. This can especially be shown when Boo gives Scout a blanket when she was freezing, while watch Ms. Maudie’s house burned down (Lee 96;chapter 8). For Boo this is really out of character because according to the people of Maycomb he kills on sight. This act of generosity further proves that good can be found in the worst places. Ever since Boo was young and got in trouble he never got the chance to redeem himself. However, he is trying very hard to prove himself a good person to Jem and Scout. One major act that Boo commits it when he risks his life to save Jem and Scout’s life from Bob Ewell. While the novel does not directly say this it is highly inferred. In the beginning Boo is depicted as a bad person, but by the end of the novel he proves all of the rumors wrong. Its turns out that he was just misguided. Despite him being seen as bad he wasn’t. This supports the thought that not everything we think is bad is truly bad and that if you look close enough you can find the good in

Show More
Related

  • Exploring the Impact of Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird

    776 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the coexistence between good and evil. "There are just some kind of men who—who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” (Lee 60) This quote demonstrates a sense of wisdom and cleverness which contrast the other

    Read More

  • Human Inequalities of To Kill a Mockinbird by Harper Lee

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    Boo Radley never had a chance to show people what he was like, he was portrayed as the bad guy by his dad, Boo is victimized by people because he can't stand up for himself so therefore he is considered the “bad guy”. Throughout the remainder of the book Boo shows his honest self when he leaves gifts for Scout and Jem, when he puts a blanket over Scout, and specially when he saves Scout and Jem from Mr.Ewell. It is obvious that he is a nice person and just wants to help, but of course his social standing and past is the only thing people can see.... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • How Does Tom Robinson Show Courage

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    His first act is when he puts a blanket on Scout after Miss Maudie’s house catches on fire. Boo finds the courage to leave his home and worries about Scout’s safety more than his own. Moreover, later in the novel Boo fortifies his inner strength and saves Scout and Jem’s lives. He gets over his fear of the community of Maycomb County and does what is right and just. Boo is completely aware of the rumours about him yet he continues to be a kind, selfless man who expects nothing in return for his generosity. “‘Thank who?’ I asked. ‘Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you’” (Lee 76). In this quote, Atticus is describing Boo’s kindness. He knows Boo does not want anything in return but insists on Scout to thank Boo whenever she can. Overall, Boo Radley is an exceptional person who demonstrates true courage through his

    Read More

  • Themes And Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    896 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Innocence Quotes

    655 Words  | 2 Pages

    Scout is exposed to an unfair situation when the kids at her school start talking about and making fun of Atticus about defending a black person in the Tom Robinson case. “He announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended Negros. I denied it.” Scout said on chapter nine, page ninety nine. This shows how Scout was in an unfair situation and was confused as to why Atticus was being accused of defending negros.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Boo and Tom Misunderstood

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    As the story progresses, Boo becomes more of a symbol of kindness and bravery than that of the "town freak" which he is made out to be. Boo leaves presents for the children in the hollow trunk of an old tree, as well as covers Scout with a blanket during Miss Maudie's fire. However, it is not until he saves Jem and Scout's life from the hands of the deranged Mr. Ewell, that Boo shows his true heroic character. Even though Boo is a physically weaker man, he shows no fear when it comes to protecting Jem and Scout's life.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Heroism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...

    Read More

  • Stubbornness In To Kill A Mockingbird

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    Scout Finch is a strong-headed figure who stands up for what she thinks is right, especially when defending her father. Even though she might not understand the exact implications of a slight to her father, she is quick to rush to defend him. Although her anger is sometimes misplaced, Scout’s frustration initiates from a boundless love for Atticus, and a wish to protect his reputation. In one instance, after Atticus is called a “nigger lover”, Scout pounces and pummels the instigator of the taunt. She later told her Uncle Jack, “I ain’t very sure what it means, but the way Francis said it…

    Read More

  • Mr Cunningham Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

    215 Words  | 1 Pages

    Mr. Cunningham is one of the men that shows up at the jail, with violent intents towards Tom Robinson. He is one of many men from the town, who, in their everyday lives, seem normal, kind and decent. The "blind spots" that Atticus refers to is the fact that Mr. Cunningham is blind to the fact that black people are their equals. They are racist, and their racism makes them blind to any sort of rational thought when it comes to black people. That blind spots leads him to the jail, to enact violence upon an innocent black man, just because he is black. Cunningham would never do this to a white man--he is blind to white man's cruelty, and overly sensitive to any possible scandal involving a black man.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Evil In To Kill A Mockingbird

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the courtroom that night it is revealed that the alleged crimes of Tom Robinson, a decent Negro man, most likely did not happen. As Atticus says in his closing argument, "The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is” (Lee 271). Showing the clear innocence of Tom Robinson due to lack of evidence, Scout thinks that the white jury will do the right thing only to find out that they still, unfairly, accuse him of being guilty. Scout and her brother, Jem, get very upset when they hear the verdict, however, it allows them both to learn the lesson that the county is unfair towards anyone who is not white. The county demonstrates this evil racism due to the social divisions in Maycomb between the whites and the blacks and because the whites see the blacks as unworthy of rights and freedoms. It was not just the trial itself that displayed evil in the world, but the comments and arguments surrounding the case did

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Sacrifice Analysis

    1533 Words  | 4 Pages

    Reassuring that Tom Robinson’s case is dealt seriously, Atticus exchanges his identity as the noble man he is for the reputation of a villain that the town flames and calls names such as “nigger lover”. Sacrificing Atticus’s identity does not give him much room to speak during the case, in fact, without his title as an intelligent, helpful, and wealthy citizen, the people of Maycomb could potentially harm Atticus, which forces him to take a slightly more cautious approach with the people of Maycomb. Concerned with the matter of how her father finds that his actions are right when the majority of the town finds it is wrong. Atticus then responds strongly to Scout, saying that he could not live with himself or tell her and Jem to do the right thing if he did not take the case seriously himself. Atticus’s identity sacrificed for the intention of saving his kids from “Maycomb's usual disease” which is racism.

    Read More

  • Evilness In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1453 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning of the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout Finch is a good-hearted, innocent five-year-old who has no experience with the evils of the world. However, throughout the novel, Scout has her first contact with the evils of the world in the form of prejudice. Arthur “Boo” Radley — one of the two cases — is a harmless human-being who falls victim to this evilness. Regarded as an evil person, Boo is the “ghost” of Maycomb and is used as the scapegoat for anything bad which happens. However, growing up in the house of Atticus Finch, Scout learns that humanity is evil at times, but there is also a lot of good humanity has to offer. Not only is there good, but what may seem evil at the time, if approached with an outlook

    Read More

  • To kill a mocking bird

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...l along Boo just wanted to have someone to call a friend because of suffering from lonesome. Even though he may have been involved in the fires and other acts he did in Maycomb he was not like what anyone said a bout being a nocturnal monster or a heartless person. Boo was a normal human being living in his own world for the longest time till he broke out of his shell when Scout and him met on Halloween night. The Change that happens in the Radley house is dramatic Boo goes for being the towns "night phantom" to being a Hero in the end. Lastly how did Scout have the courage to walk up to the Radley's porch was because Scout believed Boo to be a big hero for what he had done. Another reason Scout had walked with Boo home was to go see Jem who was there from when Boo carried him from the fight that night back home. Scout saw Boo as a positive at the end of the story.

    Read More

  • The Evils Of To Kill A Mockingbird

    1677 Words  | 4 Pages

    Has evil always been around, or did man create it? One could trace evil all the way back to Adam and Eve; however, evil came to them, but it was not in them. When did evil become part of a person? No one knows, but evil has been around for a long time and unfortunately is discovered by everyone. In many great classics in literature evil is at the heart or the theme of the novel, including Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. This classic book demonstrates the growing up of two children in the South and illustrates the theme of evil by showing how they discover, how they deal, and how they reconcile themselves to the evils they experience.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Blind Spots In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird provides many characters who have blind spots. They are positive and negative but they all cause the characters problems and fuel conflicts in the story. One of the main characters, optimist lawyer Atticus Finch, even displays his opinion on blind spots when he says, “Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man, he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us” (Lee 210). Atticus is correct here, Mr. Cunningham was going to attack Atticus for defending black rapist Tom Robinson, but was talked out of it by Scout Finch. Mr. Cunningham evidently does not understand Atticus’s motives and morals and is therefore blind to his own behavior, but is not necessarily a

    Read More

More about Theme Of Good And Evil In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document