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To Kill a Mockingbird: aspects of social injustice
To Kill a Mockingbird: aspects of social injustice
Discrimination in the book to kill a mockingbird
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Scout does not heed Atticus’ advice in Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, as she continues to express her biased hatred for Calpurnia, and also openly contradicts Jem, without considering the perspectives to which they are taking. As stated by Harper Lee, “...Calpurnia’s tyranny, unfairness, and meddling in my business had faded to gentle grumbling of general disapproval (45)”. This quote expresses the many ways Scout thinks of Calpurnia, a great many of which as terrible and controlling. This biased description of Calpurnia shows how Scout is still unable to understand why Calpurnia consistently disciplines her, and from what standpoint she is doing so. Also stated by Lee, “Jem stamped his foot. “Don’t you know you’re not suppose to even
touch the trees there?”...”You touched the house once!”” (45). This sentence conceptualizes a bicker between Jem and Scout, of which is stemmed from Jem’s fear of approaching the Radley house. Instead of considering her brother’s warnings however, Scout disregards them, and argues with him, not seeing that he is warning her, out of regard for her personal safety. It is for Scout’s predisposition for disliking Calpurnia and arguing with Jem, that causes her to not only fail at viewing situations from the perspectives of others, but also cause her to fall unaware as to why they do such things.
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, takes place in the 1930s in a small Alabama county called Maycomb. The novel is about the Finch family of three. Atticus, the father, Scout the older brother and Scout the younger sister, who acts like a tomboy. Scout may be a lady, but does not like to act like one, she likes to play and get dirty with her brother. Being young, both children learn lessons throughout the novel by many different residents, such as, Calpurnia, the maid, Miss Maudie, the neighbor, and their father, Atticus. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird various citizens in the town of Maycomb play an important role in the lives of Jem and Scout Finch
“You can't delete racism. It's like a cigarette. You can't stop smoking if you don't want to, and you can't stop racism if people don't want to. But I'll do everything I can to help”-Mario Balotelli. This quote applies to “To Kill a Mockingbird” because racism is common throughout the novel and a select few characters don't fall to the common influence of racism.
Calpurnia is the Finch housekeeper. However, she is much more to the family. She acts as a mother figure to Jem and Scout as she practically raised them after their mother’s death when Scout was two years old. Along with Miss Maudie, Calpurnia is a strong, positive female influence in Jem and in Scout’s life. She is corresponding to Atticus in her lessons of politeness and compassion. For example, when Walter came home for dinner, and proceeded to pour maple syrup all over his meal, Scout made fun of him to the point of total embarrassment. Calpurnia told Scout, “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us,” she whispered fiercely,” but you ain’t called on to contradict’em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s a Cunningham- ““Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunningham’s but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em – if you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!” Calpurnia sent me through the swinging door to the dining room with a stinging smack.” (Lee, page 26-29). Calpurnia’s moral lesson here is to respect
In the early chapters of the book, Scout picks fights at the slightest provocation. One example of this is when Scout beats up Walter Cunningham, one of her classmates, for “not having his lunch”, which isn’t a very good reason at all. “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop. ‘You’re bigger’n he is,’ he said … ‘He made me start off on the wrong foot.’ … ‘Let him go Scout. Why?’ ‘He didn’t have any lunch,’ I said, and explained my involvement in Walter’s dietary affairs” (27). Scout is also very mischievous and has a devious mentality towards Calpurnia. She describes Calpurnia as a tyrannical presence, and she does everything she can to get her out of the house. One time Scout does this is when Walter comes over to her house to eat dinner. Scout criticizes Walter for drowning his food in molasses, and Calpurnia scolds Scout. After Walter leaves, Scout asks Atticus to fire Calpurnia, which of course he doesn’t do. “Jem said suddenly grinned at him. ‘Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,’ he said. … Walter stood where he was, biting his lip. Jem and I gave up, and we were nearly to the Radley Place when Walter called, ‘Hey, I’m comin’!’ While Walter piled food on his plate, he and Atticus talked together like to men, to the wonderment of Jem and me. Atticus was expounding on farm problems when Walter interrupted to ask if there was any molasses in the house… Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand.
What does it mean to be a good parent? The most common definition of a good parent is one who makes their children feel valued and loved, by teaching them the difference between right and wrong. At the end of the day, the most essential thing is to create a nurturing environment where your children feel like they can mature into confident, independent, and caring adults. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird defines what a true parent really is thought hardships and struggles throughout the book. The story is set in the Depression era of a little town in southern Alabama that is struggling with thick prejudice on a colored rape case. The story is told through a character
Atticus continuously tells her that this is wrong and that she needs to learn to control her anger, “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat? Try fighting with your head for a change” (Lee 101). The day after this discussion with Atticus, Scout is approached by a fellow student who had previously made a mean comment about her father. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away.it was the first time I ever walked away from a fight” (Lee 102).
“Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of
a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but
Throughout all those years as the kids were growing up, Calpurnia has shown and given an immense amount of love and support towards the children, just as a mother or a motherly figure should. Atticus sees her as a faithful member of the family, and he refused of letting her go when Aunt Alexandra suggested firing her. In addition, Atticus trusts Calpurnia with the children; he trusts that she will look after them and cook them food when he is not able to. Calpurnia and Scout have grown closer as Scout grew up because often times Jem would exclude her. For instance, when Jem became close to his teenage years, he would act out often and tell Scout what to do. Scout burst into tears after one argument where Jem told her that she ought to start acting more like a girl. As a result, she fled to Calpurnia, where she offered to keep Scout company whenever she needed: “...so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome” (131). Also, Scout stated how Calpurnia seemed glad when she appeared in the kitchen. This shows how Calpurnia is always loving and supportive when Scout needs a shoulder to cry on, and how Calpurnia cheers Scout up when she’s not having the best of days. Besides from making Scout and Jem meals everyday, Calpurnia demonstrates exceptional mothering towards Scout on a daily
Her dad explains to her that it is okay to be called a African-American lover. Her dad tells her that it is not a bad thing to love everyone. Despite all the racial discrimination around her she still loves everyone equally. Scout’s father explains to her that he tries his best to love everyone equally. He was trying to imply that she should love everyone equally as well. He states, “I do my best to love everyone...I’m hard put, sometimes-baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you” (Lee, 109). Scout understands that loving everyone no matter their skin color is right. This shows the reader that her moral beliefs are humane and intact and that they mostly come from her father's advice. Another example of discrimination is when Scout and Jem were at an all black church with Calpurnia and Calpurnia's friend Lula expresses herself to Calpurnia saying, You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here—they got their church, we got our'n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?" (Lee, 48) Lula explains that she feels that Scout and Jem have no right to be at the church. This is where Scout finally experiences racism first-hand. She does not know what racism is yet because is so young, but she does realize that she should not be there. She feels as if she needs to leave and that shows what her morals really are. She truly cares about people and what they have to
Harper Lee uses both direct and indirect characterization to exhibit differing views of Calpurnia, including her own gallant view of herself versus Scout’s antagonistic view of her. To illustrate Calpurnia advises Scout, “there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language”(Lee
people and that they must be doing something to that effect in order to be respected. Atticus is honored and admired for his common policy of fair treatment- and yet, Calpurnia is vilified for having to walk two different roads and change her mannerisms. This is in part because she is black, but also because she is a woman- Cal must be careful to watch her step, watch her tone, and has to be more aware of her actions than Atticus would ever need to be. And instead of gaining respect for this balancing act, Scout thinks that Cal should “know better” than to adjust her mannerisms based on the audience. In addition, when Mr. Raymond is revealed to not be a drunkard but instead just gives people something to latch onto- another example of someone
Scout Finch, the youngest child of Atticus Finch, narrates the story. It is summer and her cousin Dill and brother Jem are her companions and playmates. They play all summer long until Dill has to go back home to Maridian and Scout and her brother start school. The Atticus’ maid, a black woman by the name of Calpurnia, is like a mother to the children. While playing, Scout and Jem discover small trinkets in a knothole in an old oak tree on the Radley property. Summer rolls around again and Dill comes back to visit. A sence of discrimination develops towards the Radley’s because of their race. Scout forms a friendship with her neighbor Miss Maudie, whose house is later burnt down. She tells Scout to respect Boo Radley and treat him like a person. Treasures keep appearing in the knothole until it is filled with cement to prevent decay. As winter comes it snows for the first time in a century. Boo gives scout a blanket and she finally understands her father’s and Miss Maudie’s point of view and treats him respectfully. Scout and Jem receive air guns for Christmas, and promise Atticus never to shoot a mockingbird, for they are peaceful and don’t deserve to die in that manner. Atticus then takes a case defending a black man accused of rape. He knows that such a case will bring trouble for his family but he takes it anyways. This is the sense of courage he tries to instill in his son Jem.
The actions of this distinct black character named Calpurnia evidently exemplifies the virtue interpreted in our school motto: “To Act Justly”, with her immediate response to the malevolent Lula’s comment; “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillum here… It is our church, ain’t it Miss Cal?” By carrying out the Lord’s longing to act justly, Calpurnia stands up against the contemptuous character for Jem and Scout instantly when told otherwise that their presence in the Church was not permitted nor wanted. Alongside the treatment of racism, Calpurnia’s words display her attempt to cut off such behaviour. For Calpurnia to show her act for peace and acceptance, she advises Lula that “It’s the same God…” so her vexation need for the children to be removed from the Church would hopefully disappear. Our school’s motto to act justly is easily promoted by Calpurnia when she shares her intentions of God and how He’s the one and only who we all look up to, and who himself looks down at us as just one. In addition, another black character easily reveals the act of justness who goes by the name of Reverend Sykes, the minister of First Purchase Church.
Scout doesn’t understand what Atticus is trying to teach her, she’s too young to. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39). It doesn’t matter if Scout is too young, Atticus has his ways of teaching her and Jem. For instance he told them that they should never judge a person by other people’s opinion. He shows his fatherly side telling them how to treat others and how words were more powerful than actions. Telling them how they should understand the person being targeted before judging them. He goes into full detail never sugar coating any words to make sure Scout and also Jem understands what he’s telling them. Scout shouldn’t be taught the wrongs and rights of the world yet, she should still be carefree and joyful. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”(Lee 149). Although Scout is young to learn about these things Atticus talks about, he wants her to know how the world sees things, but he wants her to have a different view than everyone else. He wants her and Jem to be able to know how the world sees things differently, and how that may affect on the truth and lie. It’s better at times for kids to know the lie, rather than the cold hard truth. “it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” (Lee 144). Scout is a curious girl so she asks her dad anything that pops up in her head, asking him what a “nigger lover” was. He responded saying that he loves everybody and hints that she