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To kill a mockingbird, symbols of prejudice
Theme of racism in to kill a mockingbird
To kill a mockingbird relationship between atticus, jem and scout
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“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. The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place in the 1930s during the depression. It is narrated by a young girl named Scout. Some of the main characters are Jem, Scout's brother, and Atticus, Scout and Jem's father. Throughout the novel the theme of racism is displayed through the book. Jem ,Scout, and their friend Dill are fascinated about a character named Boo Radley or Arthur Radley. Boo is very influential to the plot of novel. Also, Atticus tries to teach his …show more content…
“Atticus said that he was defending a Negro by the name of Tom Robinson.” This quote shows that Atticus is defending an African American. In that time period this was looked down a upon because racism toward African American was beyond common. Why Atticus being shunned for defending a black man shows the theme of racism in “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the way people treated Atticus and his family for doing this. “I was ready to punch Cecil Jacobs in the face. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before the Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers.” This quote shows that Scout was being shunned by her classmates because of what Atticus was doing. Jem was also being shunned like Scout because of this. Also Atticus was sometimes verbally attacked by fellow adults in their community. Since Atticus and his family were being looked down upon for defending a African America this supports the fact of the theme of racism being present in this novel. Another event in the novel that supports the theme of racism is the mob of people who tried to kill Tom
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.
In order to combat racism, groups of like-minded individuals with a common goal of making the world a more accepting place must come together to stand up to acts of hate and superiority. For instance, when Scout and Jem are walking home from school, Mrs. Dubose will tell them “your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 105). On page 322, the book says “Tom’s death was considered typical of a black person, at least in Maycomb. The town thought it was typical of a nigger to cut and run” (Lee 322).
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
Scout is the narrator and main focus of the book To Kill a Mockingbird, as such Boo Radley's character devolvement is shown primarily from her point of view. He goes from being a monster to someone she understands. Boo becomes the center of the children's games and imaginations. Eventually just playing isn't enough, the boys want to see Boo. Reluctantly Scout comes along. They get close to the house in an attempt to see him but get caught and run for their lives. After their attempt to see Boo Radley by breaking on to the Radley's property Scout says “...every scratch of feet on gravel was Boo Radley seeking revenge...” she talks about Boo as if he is some beast who is out to get her. Scared that by attempting to see he will try and hurt or kill him. However, as the book progresses Boo becomes more and more of a positive figure in the children's lives. He leaves small gifts for Scout and Jem in a tree knot, but most obviously he saves their lives. This is the first and only time we see Boo. Scout fully begins to understand Boo. She begins to see Boo more as a person rather than a ghost or a
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is marvelous and unforgettable novel. Not only show how dramatic, sad in and old town – Maycomb be like, but through her unique writings, some big conflicts about politics and critical is going on through this tired old Southern town. Not just in general like education, friendship, neighbors but also pacific in individuals like family and the people’s characteristics themselves. In one book yet can covered with such many problems, Harper Lee must have been experienced a lot and deeply understanding that time. That is why the book lives, becoming literature and get the love from the audiences a lot. One of the problem and mostly run along with the story and interest me is racism between white people and black people socially.
Needless to say, because Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, an african american, it gets his family criticized for defending “Negros”. Cecil Jacob tells Scout that her father “defends nigger” (Lee 74). Mr. Bob Ewell calls Atticus a “nigger lover” for defending Tom Robinson. Ever since Atticus took the case for Tom Robinson, The Finches became from being applauded to criticized for defending Robinson, and again applauded for trying his best to defend Tom
Atticus Finch is the main character that defies the status quo on race in this book. He views a black man equal to a white man which is against what a majority of the people thought during this time. The text states, "She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards,"(20.44-45). This quote explains the status quo for the time. It shows how people do not believe that white and black people should interact in a relationship and when this happened the white people were ashamed and called it rape. They were ashamed because a white woman liked a black man. Atticus, however, has different views on this topic. He says this in a conversation with Scout,"You aren't really a n****r-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... 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," (11.107-109). He explains that he loves everyone no matter what skin color. This is against the status quo because most white people disliked black people. It explains that he challenges the status quo for this time and has his own beliefs. Atticus also tries to teach his kids these beliefs in that everyone should be treated equally and he does not want them to be influenced by what other people say about him or how they treat African
Even though extraordinary changes have been made in the past to achieve racial equality, America is still racist, especially in schools. In the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” written by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is criticized for defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. During the 1930s, the time this novel took place, America was a very segregated country. At the time when Harper Lee wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird," America was fighting a civil rights movement. The events of racism in “To Kill a Mockingbird” reflect the time period.
As previously mentioned, the point of view in this narrative is from Scout. Her upbringing has been respectful to the African-Americans in her society and she shows this with her relationship with her maid, Calpurnia. Other children her age have adopted their parents' racially prejudice views, causing her of many problems. Atticus's lawsuit seems to isolate his children and Scout is taunted with remarks in the playground. Her only retort is violence and Atticus, as an virtuous father, does not condone this behaviour either: "My fists were clenched I was ready to make fly. Cecil Jacobs had announced the day before that Scout Finch's daddy defended niggers."
The tight-knit sense of community created by the citizens of Maycomb leads to the same values and beliefs of the whole town. As a result, the town has put many expectations and judgements towards people who are not the same. In particular, the black community is used as a scapegoat because they are black, therefore they are viewed lower than the white community. Tom Robinson, a member of the black community is imprisoned for most of the book. When Tom is put on trial, the community voted against him by the reason that he’s black- he is an outsider. Although he did nothing wrong, the community continues to blame him. During and after the trial Tom is thrown in jail and imprisoned. Knowing that he cannot do anything about the situation, Tom loses all signs of hope of freedom. As a last straw of hope, Tom attempts to escape from prison but fails to do so, and is shot seventeen times. Tom faces the injustice of Maycomb County due to the fact of judgements and lies formed from society. The lies and judgements has lead into the separation and segregation of the black community. Segregation and separation brings the black community into vulnerable position leading into psychological and physically imprisonment. Lee demonstrates that segregation and separation increases the sense of
In To Kill a Mockingbird there can be plenty of confusion about the theme or what is going on at times but in the end, it is still a valuable book. There is a bit of problem between the Finches, Ewells, and the lower class African Americans. Also, the meaning of the mockingbird from the title comes out. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author reveals what the mockingbird represents, as well as the theme of discrimination and racism.
...ions show us that he is truly a good person but rumors made him appear like an evil person. The "mockingbird" characteristic is present in Boo; he doesn't hurt anything but instead, he helps people out. Boo fears the outside world because he is injured from the evil of mankind. He learns that people judge people and he is judged by the rumors going around. He knows that if he were to go outside and try to become sociable, he would be shunned so he just decides to stay in his home, safe and protected from the outside world.
One of the most important events in the book was Tom Robinson’s trial, which was unfairly judged due to the fact that the jury could not see beyond the color of Tom’s skin. The put their own racist opinions ahead of what is right and just. One of the most important events in the novel circulated around racism. However, the most focused on point of Tom’s life was not the only point in his life where racism has been shown towards him. The Ewell’s are a major source of racism towards Tom. Whenever Mayella Ewell wanted Tom to help her, she was rude to him whereas Tom was very kind to her. Tom was even nice enough to refuse payment of his work for her since he saw that she was poor and realized she needed the money. For his kindness, Tom is returned with bitterness with the only reason for this being because of the color of his skin.
In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird explains how racism should be learned to be unlearned through various characters in the book. Maycomb is a racist community and people are racist towards the African-Americans. The book suggests that people should stand up against racism even if they are the only one just like Atticus. Atticus is also encouraging his children to do the same and stand up against racism. Overall, the idea that racism is something that is learned and therefore can be unlearned if a person is willing to treat each other equally, aside of the race.
When Scout escorts Arthur home and stands on his front porch, she sees the same street she saw, just from an entirely different perspective. Scout learns what a Mockingbird is, and who represents one. Arthur Radley not only plays an important role in developing Scout and Jem, but helps in developing the novel. Boo can be divided into three stages. Primitively, Boo is Scout’s worst nightmare. However, the author hints at Boo actually existing as a nice person when he places things in the tree. The secondary stage is when Mrs. Maudie’s house burned to the ground. As Scout and Jem were standing near Boo’s house, it must have been rather cold. So, Boo places a warm and snug blanket around Scout and Jem, to keep them warm.