What Are The Similarities Between To Kill A Mockingbird And 12 Angry Men

Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men

Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, depicts a strong sense of morality and justice through the courageous character, Atticus Finch, who desires to defend an innocent black man charged with rape in a racist atmosphere. The concept of justice is also explored in Twelve Angry Men through Henry Fonda, or Juror 8, who decides not to jump to conclusions and attempted to defend a young boy charged with first-degree murder. As a product of both these character’s dedication to their job, they gave the accused a slight “ray of hope”.

Primarily, To Kill a Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men have a variety of similarities about the concept of justice, including the fact that both novels depict

courtrooms in a prejudiced atmosphere and either a lawyer or a juror attempting to defend the “innocent” accused. Atticus Finch shows a strong sense of integrity and responsibility as a lawyer when he defends Tom Robinson, who was charged with rape, in a courtroom full of prejudiced characters, including the Ewells.

Furthermore, in Twelve Angry Men, Henry Fonda, or Juror 8, goes against eleven other jurors in an attempt to prove that the accused was innocent. Even with all evidence showing otherwise, Henry Fonda can teach that “digging deeper” will open more “options”. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch says “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget, whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash”. Atticus Finch is truly different in the way he doesn’t agree with everyone’s opinion of black people. He displays a solid impression of justice in this quote as he points out all men are equal; no colour is superior to another. Moreover, another impression of ‘equality’ is shown in the quote “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make

music and sing their hearts out for us. That is why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird”. These results of justice are mimicked in Twelve Angry Men where Henry Fonda, also believes in equality. In the prejudiced environment, he stands out and declares that jumping to conclusions will always turn out badly. During a discussion, Juror 3 mentions “You’re talking about a matter of seconds! No one can be that accurate,” to which he replies “I think testimony that could put a boy into the electric chair should be that accurate”. Both of these jurors care about human life and equality in all men.
In addition, To Kill a Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men show an array of differences about the concept of justice as To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates justice in a more racist atmosphere and Twelve Angry Men indicates justice in a more prejudiced environment.

It is thoroughly clear that in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is the centre of attention in a very racist atmosphere. Tom Robinson, the accused black man, is hated by almost everyone in the courtroom. However, in Twelve Angry Men, there are no signs of racism as there is no difference in colour, so therefore, there are no similarities about justice in racism in Twelve Angry Men, whereas there is racism in To Kill a Mockingbird. Another difference about justice in the two novels is that in To Kill a Mockingbird, the case ended up being ‘guilty’, so justice was not done. In Twelve Angry Men, however, Juror 8 successfully convinces the other jurors that there is reasonable doubt and find the accused as ‘not guilty’, The audience may not be convinced of his innocence, but nor are they convinced of his

guilt.
Lastly, it is important to consider that the similarities such as uneven justice and equality are more significant than differences such as having racism in one novel and prejudice in the other. By considering similarities more than differences, it is easier to outline the similarities between the novels and our own society. The world, still contains racist people and people with prejudice. Similarities can show how to deal with these situations in real life. Henry Fonda, says “Prejudice always obscures the truth”. Learning from quotes like these can convince that looking deeper into the hearts of people, not what is shown on the outside, can make a significant difference. Harper Lee and Reginald Rose have shown how sadistic our world can be, and it is important to take out key pieces of information to utilize in our own lives.
Conclusively, To Kill a Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men have displayed strong senses of justice and morality through the eyes of Atticus Finch and Henry Fonda. Both novels have depicted the fact that justice can be shown in an environment of racism or prejudice and that justice may not always win, but is what is right. Harper Lee and Reginald Rose have both clearly pointed this out in the world-famous novels.