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Theme analysis essay to kill a mockingbird
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Set in a sleepy town of Maycomb the story, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a woman’s memory of her innocent childhood and her awareness of the deeply rooted racism that was present during that time in the South. Raised by their widowed father, a local lawyer, and Calpurnia, their African American housekeeper, Scout and Jem Finch are taught life lessons with anything but “normal” methods. In a close-knit town like Maycomb, where religion and opinions seem to be at the core of all reason their upbringing seems to have its fair share of challenges. When their father takes on a very controversial case, his role in the trial subjects Scout and Jem to insults and racial slurs which exposes the children to the evils of racism and stereotyping. Despite the …show more content…
drawbacks for his own family, Atticus is wise to defend Tom Robinson.
As a parent Atticus uses this trial as a priceless life lesson. He not only teaches his children to stand up for what they believe in, but that equality and justice are things you should believe in. That the color of a man’s skin doesn’t make the man. Atticus not only asks his children to do as he says, moreover he gives them the ultimate lesson and leads by example giving the children the ideal role model. There are some that may suggest that as a parent your ultimate job is to protect your children from harm, and that although Atticus may not understand the extent of what he is subjecting his children to, he is still in the wrong for even taking on a case that may have negative consequences for his children. Maycomb is filled with a hatred that is inherited. It is a way for people to separate themselves from things they fear or don’t understand. Sadly, people of the town focus on a race instead of the person, or their actions and their hatred comes in the form of prejudice. Prejudice gives people the
feeling of superiority. So, when Atticus makes the conscience decision to defend an African American man this is a clear slap in the face to the Whites in Maycomb. They feel that Atticus is turning his back on his people. An example that shows this is when the children pass Mrs. Dubose home and she yells at them, “Your father’s no better than the ni**ers and trash he works for!” (Lee, 102). The people in towns ignorance and insecurities come out in anger. They lash out with racial slurs and aggression, many times at the children. On more than one occasion, Scout gets into physical altercation defending her father and his actions. No one predicted the violent attack from Bob Ewell on the children that resulted in his own death and a broken arm for Jem, but it is a result of Atticus’s involvement in the Robinson case. No parent would want to put their children in danger, but Atticus is aware there will be consequences and that is enough for some to feel he is wrong in taking the case. While there are always ramifications to actions, Atticus is aware and concerned about the effects they will have on his children, yet he has decided to take this opportunity to help his children grow as individuals and teach them once in a lifetime lessons. A good reason to support my claim that Atticus is wise to take the Tom Robinson case is because it teaches his children to stand by what they believe in. When questioned by Scout why he took the case he responded, “...If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again”(Lee, 75). Atticus is a respected man in town. He is a man of strong character and integrity, these are qualities he is trying to instill in his chidren. He believes strongly in the judicial system, and although racism is deeply rooted in Maycomb he believes Tom Robinson deserves the right to as fair a trial as he can get considering the circumstances. Taking the case, fully aware that the majority won’t feel the same way, is not even a factor for Atticus. Demonstrating true courage, by standing up for his beliefs is an excellent way to lead by example. Growing up in Maycomb Atticus is aware that a drawback to a case like this will be unavoidable, but he feels passionate about the case and can’t turn his back on it. Jem and Scout at one point feel their father is a bit boring, he has no obvious physical talent that makes him exciting or anything to be proud of. Until, the children see he is doing something to make life a little more just, even if the outcome isn’t as hoped, he believes the fight is still worthwhile, and that is extremely admirable. Atticus is giving his children a priceless lesson, standing up for your beliefs despite others opinions is extremely important and immeasurable. This makes Atticus a very wise man. The strongest point to my argument that supports the claim that Atticus is wise to take the Tom Robinson case despite the drawbacks to his family is he is raising his children with the view that all men are created equal. Atticus is the minority in Maycomb. He believes that a person should not be judged by the color of their skin. Again, Atticus is giving his children an extremely important life lesson, by leading by example. Hate and prejudice is taught. Children aren’t born with racism they are shown it. To break this ugly cycle it starts with the parents. Atticus knows a case like Tom Robinson's has a slim chance of a fair trial, yet he knows that if he shows his children that they can make a difference eventually change will happen. One day perhaps a man like Tom will receive a fair trial, when there is a generation that can let go of their hate. Viewing first hand the hatred the town possesses for people of a different color, and the injustice that is associated with it, upsets the children and is enough to show them the true color of evil. “If they’re all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I’m beginning to understand something. I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time...it’s because he want to stay inside”(Lee, pg 227). Jem is aware of the ugliness of racism and hate. Atticus is wise to use this opportunity with the Tom Robinson case to teach his children the importance of equality. All in all, despite the fact that the Tom Robinson case has drawbacks that have an affect on Atticus’s children, he is wise to have taken on the case. Through it Atticus has had the opportunity to teach his children priceless life lessons such as stand up for what you believe in and equality. Atticus is leading by example and is making an impact on his children to last a lifetime.
This shows that Atticus and his family are put on a lower level than normal citizens. Pre-conceived opinions are able to make people opposed to changing them as well, with the ideas sticking in Maycomb. The hierarchy or order of people is severely deformed in Maycomb, as normal, well-meaning people are discriminated against and put at the bottom of the pack simply because of the colour of their skin.... ... middle of paper ...
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
This was a time of racial segregation, where blacks were not permitted to go to the same schools as the whites. They could not sit in the same restaurants, sit in the same part of the courthouse, use the same public restrooms or drink at the same water fountains. Everyone in Maycomb, from children to adults, accused Atticus and his children of being "black lovers." Atticus, with all this turmoil, stayed calm. He taught his children to accept the differences between one human being and another.
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
Sometimes, people discriminate one thing, but strongly oppose the discrimination of another thing. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, this issue is very much expressed throughout the story. This thought-provoking story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during a time when there’s a rape trial against a falsely accused African American named Tom Robinson. There is also a discrimination, of sorts, towards a man named Boo Radley, by three young children named Jeremy “Jem” Finch, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and Charles “Dill” Baker Harris. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are similar in their own ways through their inherent goodness.
Atticus has showed bravery and the fact that color does not matter when someone is innocent. Along with this, Atticus has taught his children many things about life. “As Atticus once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around it: if I had gone to the Radley Place at two in the morning my funeral would have been held the next afternoon. So I left Jem alone and tried not to bother him.” (Lee 48) This is a clear example of how effective Atticus is. He is able to give important information to anyone, including his daughter, and them being able to use this important advice in real life. “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what…” (Lee 93) This serves as an analogy to the Tom Robinson case and shows that Atticus knows he will not win, but must try his best in search for justice. Atticus has been an excellent example in Maycomb of what kind of person you shall
Atticus was a man of strong morals and conscience and in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, had to overcome the backlash and hate from defending Tom Robinson. With what seemed to be the majority of Maycomb County against him and his own safety at stake, Atticus knew that he couldn’t win the trial. Yet accompanied by his rationality, good ethics and determination he overcomes the trial. It is not the desired ending, but for his efforts in the trial, Atticus gains the respect of the black community and the respect of others in Maycomb by following through and overcoming the challenges that followed the
To Kill A Mockingbird is a heroic tale of leadership and courage during racial times. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus, To, Jem and Scout are unfortunately exposed to a really racist and prejudiced society and town. Which ends up causing them to lose a case and really confuse Jem and Scout when they are young. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, it uses characterization to help show a theme of loss of innocence when people are exposed to surprising and unfair situations.
In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the story is told by a young girl called Jean-Louise Finch but also known as Scout aged five at the start of the book almost turning six who in the book is quite unique as she could read at the age of six and understand her fathers profession as a lawyer. The story is about Scout growing up in the southern state of Alabama in a small town called Maycomb with her brother Jem and her father called Atticus who is the lawyer. The main theme of the book is about Atticus defending a black man called Tom Robinson and he is accused of raping a white girl called Mayella Ewell and how it affects her, in the book she learns about racism and prejudice and the struggle of black men in life and she also learns about the ways of life and family traditions. The book is set in the late 1930’s so racial discrimination is at its peak in the southern states of America.
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.
What is taking a stand? Taking a stand is standing up for a belief and it can be taken it many ways. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus decides to defend Tom Robinson with the knowledge that he will not win the case. Atticus is a very scrupulous person, who respects other people no matter who they are. Even though Atticus knows that he does not have a chance at winning the case about Tom Robinson, because Atticus is fightning for equal rights and if he did not take the case, he would not be able to tell his children what to do, it makes sense for Atticus to defend him anyway.
By defending Tom Robinson, Atticus sacrifices his identity along with his family's reputation to stand tall and spread his beliefs on racial equality under the law but suffers through the limitation put on by the town of Maycomb.
Growing up in a prejudiced environment can cause individuals to develop biased views in regard to both gender and class. This is true in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, where such prejudices are prevalent in the way of life of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. The novel is centered around the trial of a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. The narrator, a young girl named Scout, is able to get a close up view of the trial because her father is defending Tom Robinson, the defendant. The aura of the town divided by the trial reveals certain people’s prejudices to Scout, giving her a better perspective of her world.
A small city nestled in the state of Alabama, Maycomb has got its faults, just like any other place in the world, but one of its main faults or (pg.88) “Maycomb's usual disease,” as Atticus calls it in the book is prejudice. Jem and Scout learn a lot about prejudice when a black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell and their father, Atticus, is called on to be his lawyer. They realize the hate that people have buried deep within their heart when they see a black man accused of doing something only because of his color. On pg.241, Scout starts understanding this and thinks, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” As the case continues, up until the death of Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout learn more and more about prejudice and how the hate that people have towards others causes them to take wrong actions. They also see how unfair it is that a white man can get treated better and think of himself better than a black man only because he was born white. This prejudice and the trial cause Jem and Scout to get in argum...
The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a simplistic view of life in the Deep South of America in the 1930s. An innocent but humorous stance in the story is through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch. Scout is a young adolescent who is growing up with the controversy that surrounds her fathers lawsuit. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, with the charge of raping a white girl. The lives of the characters are changed by racism and this is the force that develops during the course of the narrative.