To Kill a Mockingbird-Fear Essay

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“There’s something in our world that makes men lose their minds,...” (Lee 295). That something is fear, an emotion that is never wanted. Fear is a major motivator in the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, it encouraged the townspeople, Aunt Alexandra and Mayella to make some very bad decisions. The townsfolk joined the wrong crowd and prolonged racism in Maycomb. It caused Aunt Alexandra to stop people to be themselves and Mayella to accuse an innocent man of rape. Firstly, Aunt Alexandra was motivated by fear which caused her to treat others badly. For example, Aunt Alexandra always complained about Scout's clothing and her behaviour because she was too scared that Scout would not turn out right. If Aunt Alexandra was not filled with fear, she would not be forcing Scout to change; by doing this, it was really making Scout's life miserable and she is teaching Scout that she cannot be who she wants to be. Also, Aunt Alexandra tried to hint that Atticus should leave the case because it might ruin their family's name, the whole family hates what Atticus is doing, "Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he'sturned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'," (Lee 110). Aunt Alexandra only came to set Atticus and Scout straight, but if she was not motivated by fear, she would let Atticus do what he feels is right to do. Aunt Alexandra's attitude towards the case has been destructive, but it does not show as much, her attitude is making Scout feel sad and mad and inside, Atticus probably feels sad that his family does not appreciate what he is doing. Fear is motivating Aunt Alexandra to treat people poorly... ... middle of paper ... ...have been less destructive if she did, Tom Robinson would not be dead, Helen would not be scared and working all the time, Tom’s kids and friends would not be so sad, Jem, Scout and Atticus would not feel like they lost something important and Bob Ewell might have gone to jail and serve time for torturing his children. Also, Mayella showed that she was terrified when she stopped answering questions and started stuttering because she was afraid she would messed up and ruin everything for her father!!!!!!!!!! If Mayella talked with more confidence, people would not think she was lying, but she stopped answering and started stuttering which was destructive to herself, now people are sure she was lying and that Bob is the real bad guy. Everything was going well for them until then. Mayella’s fear of her father encouraged her to do horrible things and make bad mistakes.

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