The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is an exquisite example of the impact of prejudice and discrimination on a small Southern town post-Depression. On Harper Lee's novel, Telgen states, "Comprising the main portion of the book's examination of racism and its effects are the underlying themes of prejudice vs. tolerance: how people feel about and respond to differences in others" (292). The motif of discrimination in this story is strongly supported by numerous examples, events, and seemingly unimportant anecdotes described throughout the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird expounds upon the ideas, thoughts, and interpretations of Jean Louise Finch (also known as Scout) and her older brother Jeremy "Jem" Finch. As the siblings live out many adventures and mature, both in years and in experience, they start to learn and recognize the prejudices occurring in their town. While they were brought up by Atticus Finch, their father- a man who strongly believes in the equality of all- others in the town of Maycomb do not have these same views. These differences lead to many problems throughout Scout's narration. This best-seller greatly expresses the repercussions of discrimination and prejudice of gender, race, and class. Throughout this piece of literature, there are numerous cases of gender discrimination that are apparent. While this particular prejudice may not play as large of a role as a theme as others, it is still quite critical to the overall storyline. Much of the use of this discriminatory element is obscure throughout Harper Lee's novel. Nonetheless, after careful analyzing of the plot, this component is decidedly noticeable. In the opening chapters of the novel, we are introduced to this unit through Scout's interactions with her older ... ... middle of paper ... ... Walter, Aunty, why can't I?'... 'Because-he-is-trash, that's why you can't play with him...'" (Lee 299-301). This conversation is a perfect example of social prejudice occurring in the novel. To expound upon this theme, the Raymond family is also a perfect example of class rank; the Raymond's, specifically Mr. Dolphus Raymond, are looked down upon based on the interracial marriage and mixed offspring. The idea of this family is foreign to the residents of Maycomb and is, therefore, shunned by the other citizens. In addition, the Ewell family is also discriminated against; being of a less wealthy status, the Ewells are seen as unworthy. However, their status is partially due to personal choices and Mr. Ewell's habits of drinking; these components all add up to a shunned family. These families express the impacts of social discrimination within the society of Maycomb.
In Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" shows and teaches many lessons throughout the passage. Some characters that learn lessons in this passage are Scout, Jem, and Dill. Scout and Jems father Atticus, is taking a case that affects their lives in so many ways. They all learn new things throughout the story and it impacts their lives greatly. There are lots of things including the trial mostly that change the perspective of the world they live in. The kids are living in the Great Depression and it shows just how bad things really where. Scout, Jem, and Dill have experiences that force them to mature and gain new insight.
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.
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the story is told by a young girl called Jean-Louise Finch but also known as Scout aged five at the start of the book almost turning six who in the book is quite unique as she could read at the age of six and understand her fathers profession as a lawyer. The story is about Scout growing up in the southern state of Alabama in a small town called Maycomb with her brother Jem and her father called Atticus who is the lawyer. The main theme of the book is about Atticus defending a black man called Tom Robinson and he is accused of raping a white girl called Mayella Ewell and how it affects her, in the book she learns about racism and prejudice and the struggle of black men in life and she also learns about the ways of life and family traditions. The book is set in the late 1930’s so racial discrimination is at its peak in the southern states of America.
The way in which humans come to be understanding, compassionate individuals is a process demonstrated constantly throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, a famous novel written by Harper Lee, taking place in the 1930’s during the Great Depression in Maycomb County, Alabama. The story is told from the young Jean Louise “Scout” Finch’s perspective, and tracks the development of her and her older brother Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch, from innocent to understanding. The negative influences which Jem and Scout experience, including the racially charged case of Tom Robinson, lead the children to have a new, more experienced perspective on human nature. People like Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout’s father, help the children to make sense of this part of human
Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, focuses on the maturation of a brother and sister in the "tired old town(Lee 3)" of Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930ís. Maycomb, a classic southern town full of gossip, tradition and burdened with a legacy of racism, seems a strange place to stage a drama which encourages equal treatment and non prejudice. However, the narratorís fresh outlook on the sleepy town furnishes the reader with a multitude of viewpoints on civil rights. The traditional Southern racism of Maycomb is looked at through the eyes of our young narrator, Scout Finch. Scoutís innocent perspective compels her to ask questions about why whites treat blacks the way they do. These questions are crucial in Scoutís search for her own identity. Scout must come to terms with the racism of her town and how it affects the people in her life. She must find her own position and what role she will play in the whole racial game. A number of people greatly influence Scout. The two major role models in her life, her Aunt Alexandria and her father Atticus, pull Scout in two opposing directions. Through their dealings with Calpurnia, the Finch's black housekeeper, both the reader and Scout are able to distinguish what path each individual wants Scout to follow.
The passage I have chosen is from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this passage Atticus Finch is trying to teach his children, Scout and Jem, the real or his definition of the word courage. He is explaining to his children that courage is more than just men with guns. He says to not connect courage with fighting, but to associate it with standing up for what you believe in. It takes little character to point a gun and pull a trigger, but it takes a whole lot of courage to accept a difficult challenge in which you can ultimately be defeated in. It made me realize that courage goes beyond a physical act, it shows one's integrity and strength. I learned that a person is courageous when they follow their own beliefs and stick to
Certain people are judged just for their appearance, such as a black man. They are judged just like the cover of a book, where Maycomb is unable to open the book and read it. Even the mockingbirds are judged unfairly due to the uncertainty of society to actually learn something about the person and understand. Ultimately, Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Mayella Ewell, and the Cunninghams are all innocent; but Maycomb’s citizens, contaminated with racism and prejudice, are unable to read and understand one another. Works Cited
In our culture a hero shows courage and integrity. A hero doesn 't need a cape or a special power. A hero is someone who makes an impact in someone 's life. Heroes are people like the front of the line D-Day soldiers or the first responders in the 9-11 attacks. As a famous hero once said "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." This hero’s name is Jackie Robinson. Being threatened, cursed at, and treated badly, Jackie Robinson didn’t fight back and continued to play the game of baseball. Mr.Robinson helped future generations live with peace. In Harper Lee 's book,To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is a hero. Without using any superhuman powers, Atticus shows courage, responsibility, and integrity without fighting back.
Chapters 4 and 6 are mostly Growing Up, but Chapter 5 is a mix of Prejudice and Growing Up
In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee told the story of two siblings, Jem and Scout, who went through a series of events that ultimately made them realize how serious being prejudice can be. The fictional book focused on a mysterious next door neighbor and a trial against an innocent black. Throughout the book, Scout learned many different things, including how to look at things from another perspective and the idea that prejudice and injustice exists. The three themes addressed in the novel were growing up, courage, and prejudice.
In chapter 3, Scout learns that she shouldn’t stir fights with those smaller than her, no matter what the reason was that started a commotion. On page 30, Jem states “Let him go, Scout,” which shows that her older brother is additionally a role model and teacher along with Atticus. Also, Scout learns not to judge others from their race or where they come from. She learned this lesson when Jem invites Walter for dinner in order to make up their fight. While on the table, Walter pours syrup over his vegetables and meat, resulting in Scout to criticize his action. Then, Calpurnia scolds and slaps her for her comments and tells Scout that it doesn’t matter who they are and not to disgrace anybody.
Have you ever wondered what discrimination could do to you? Have you ever seen the affects of racism in your society? Well Jem and Scout know what it can do in the book To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee. Scout and Jem are the children of Atticus Finch in Maycomb County. Their father Atticus is a lawyer and teaches them not to be racist or discriminatory towards others, but soon they realize the place they live in is full of racism, and everyone else if very racist. They have these realizations through multiple events that cause them to lose their innocent view of the world. Harper Lee depicts the theme of growth and maturity through two of the characters, Scout and Jem, as their views of society change through their exposure to discrimination.
During the 1930’s in Maycomb, the mentality of many southern people reflected that of the nation. Harper Lee explores the idea that most people were racist and discriminatory through Jem and Scout Finch. The story writes, “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen a Jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man”. This was said by the character Reverend Sykes and it outlines a major event in court. This was the first time, Scout and Jem got a real glimpse of the racial inequality, in Maycomb. The author, expresses the extent of this social issue, using the setting of the courtroom. Throughout the intense trial, we get to go on a journey with Jem and Scout, feeling the hope and faith that they have in their father. However, this quote creates another angle for readers consider. Jem and Scout grew up pure of heart and were taught by Atticus and Calpurnia. Calpurnia is a lovely black woman, and every day she helps the Finch family. She is a mother figure in the household, which suggests to readers that respecting a colored person is completely normal in the children’s lives. Growing up in an environment where it is normal to perceive Negroes as equals and respect them as you would a white person, separates Jem and Scout from the unjust and the provincialism world around
There are some people and enjoyments in life that live and breathe to only serve justice