A quote by Don King, “Hypocrisy is the mother of all evil, and racial prejudice is still her favorite child” aligns with the message in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. King’s quote emphasizes the deeply rooted connection between hypocrisy and racial prejudice in society that leads to injustice. In the novel, Scout, the main character and narrator, is exposed to hypocrisy and racial prejudice. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, takes the job of defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. There is a lot of controversy and racial prejudice in Maycomb due to this trial. Scout is exposed to this prejudice through people in her life. First, her third-grade teacher, Miss Gates, delivers a lesson on the injustice of Jewish persecution by Hitler. However, she was overheard making a rude and …show more content…
Merriweather responds, “‘Oh child, those poor Mrunas.’ Miss Merriweather’s large brown eyes always filled with tears when she considered the oppressed” (Lee 308). In this moment in the book, Harper Lee shows Merriweather as a sympathetic and caring individual. The fact that her eyes are “filled with tears” shows that she is expressing emotion and sadness. Crying is a way to express emotion, and because she started to cry, it shows how deeply she feels about the oppressed minority in Africa. Even though Ms. Merriweather expresses sympathy for an oppressed minority in Africa, she does not feel the same way about black people in her community, showing selective empathy and hypocrisy. Later, Merriweather talks to fellow Missionary Circle members about her feelings on African Americans: “Gertrude, I tell you there’s nothing more distracting than a sulky darky” (Lee 310). Despite her “eyes filling with tears” for the African tribe, her attitude and actions towards African Americans reveal her underlying hypocrisy. Her concern for the African tribe contrasts with her attitude towards African Americans in her
“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.
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
When Scout is with The Ladies Missionary Club she starts to pick up on hypocrisy. They want to help the African kids, but they do not want to help the African-Americans in their own town! They are also they are prejudiced against the black community in Maycomb. Another time Scout becomes aware of hypocrisy is with her teacher Miss Gates. As Scout starts to pick up on hypocrisy, Harper Lee is showing another way Scout is growing up. “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced” (281). This quote is from Miss Gates is full of irony. She says this to her class as she is trying to describe persecution to her class. She does not think Hitler should victimize the Jews. However, Miss Gates persecutes the black community in Maycomb. She clearly shows her hypocrisy during the trial when she persecutes Tom Robinson. Therefore, Scout picks up on hypocrisy and prejudices in the people of Maycomb. Finally, Scout establishes an understanding of
“You’ll never leave” is carved faintly into the brick wall of the small jail cell, probably from its last guest. Every day, I started to believe the phrase more and more. I lay on the uncomfortable cot, pretending to be asleep. I’m lonely, but I’m not alone. I can hear him breathing and slowly flipping the pages of the newspaper; I assume it’s Mr. Heck Tate.
Throughout the books Huckleberry Finn, Othello, and To Kill a Mockingbird certain characters challenge what the status quo was at that time. They go against what the norm was and go against what other characters think. This causes controversy and is a major part of the plot in all three books. The main way that these 3 books challenge the status quo for that time is through race. Many of the characters are against what is viewed as normal and have views that were known as radical at that time. The main way their views are different is certain white characters view black people in the books in a positive way and are willing to associate themselves with them even though that is against what most people thought was right. Throughout each
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 94). This quote, delivered in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, introduces the mockingbird which is incorporated symbolically throughout the novel. The mockingbird, in presenting its gifts of music and beauty, is the symbol of Atticus’s practice of altruism because he believes in society’s responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable and innocent.
Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place during the 1930’s in the fictional and quiet town of Maycomb, located in Maycomb County, Alabama. The town of Maycomb is described as a tired old town that moves very slowly and its residents have nothing to fear but fear itself. Being in set in the South during the 1930’s the story does tackle racism and inequality for African Americans as racism was becoming more and more prominent in the 1930’s. The fact that the story takes place in a backwater county in Alabama makes the the injustice even more prevalent. The story goes through the early years of the main characters Jem and Scout so the exact time is always changing, however, the more important and intense parts of the story takes place
“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” This quote is by Nathaniel Branden. Nathaniel Branden was a Canadian-American who wrote about the psychology of self-esteem. This quote means that acceptance doesn’t happen right away, that it takes sometime time to accept things. Throughout this semester we have read 4 different books and a constant theme throughout these books is acceptance. The 4 books we read were The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, then any Holocaust book we wanted and I chose The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by , and finally The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an emblem of racial jurisdiction. All throughout the book it shows how the law applies to blacks as opposed to whites. Lee shows how unjust the treatment of blacks is and the disregard for their human rights. Though through the actions of the characters in the book; it can be said that their actions show a glimmer of hope for this very prejudiced society.
The 60s. They seem so long ago. The Vietnam War, the first GPS satellite, a time of 8-tracks and cassette tapes, they seem like so long ago. The 60s is also when To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was first published, a majorly successful book written about a majorly controversial topic. Lee sets out to tackle the topic by telling a story through the perspective of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a nine year old girl. The story focuses on the events of the Finches, the Ewells, a trial of a black man, and Boo Radley, all in the town of Maycomb. Using these characters, Harper Lee shows how racism is something that is learned through society, and can be avoided.
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.
Original Paragraph: "Mockingbirds don't do one thing, but make music for us to enjoy. " They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee, 1960, p. 90). Rewritten Paragraph: Mockingbirds serve only to bring joy through their songs, contributing positively to their surroundings without causing harm. They refrain from destructive behaviors such as feasting on crops or nesting in agricultural structures.
Harper Lee's masterwork, "To Kill A Mockingbird," intricately navigates the labyrinth of human empathy and the kaleidoscope of differing perspectives within the microcosm of Maycomb County. Amidst the backdrop of racial inequality and societal unrest, Lee paints a vivid tableau of characters grappling with their own biases and prejudices. Central to the narrative is the compelling dynamic between the Finch siblings, Jem and Scout, and the enigmatic Mrs. Dubose. Lee deftly crafts Dubose as a polarizing figure, evoking disdain from the siblings due to her acerbic demeanor and racially charged rhetoric. Yet, beneath the veneer of hostility lies a poignant tale of redemption and understanding.
“Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Webb. - Now I have to interrupt again here.”
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.