How Does Lee Use Characterization In To Kill A Mockingbird
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characterization to help develop her attitude about the proper treatment of human beings. The story is set during the Great Depression in Maycomb County where almost everyone is poor. The story is portrayed through the eyes of Scout, who is a six year old who views the world as those of an adult. Lee uses Scout to help portray the conditions of everyone in town. Throughout the entirety of the story Scouts disapproval of the treatment of blacks remain the same. Even through her innocence she sees the world of hatred, unfairness, and racism. At one point in the story Scout and Dill are conversing with Mr. Raymond about why he act like he drinks. During their conversation Mr. Raymond brings up the injustices
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One of the major conflicts of the story is the case of Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is a black man accused of raping Mayella, the daughter of Bob Ewell. The Ewell’s are viewed as the poorest people in town. During the trial Atticus portrays convincing evidence in a professional manner. He ends up losing the trial which, from the beginning, Atticus knew what was to happen. Atticus realized that “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed”(205). Atticus shows that he understand the inequality of race because he knew that just because Mayella accused Tom, he would be convicted. During the actuation of the trial, Jem is there to experience it. He feels hopeful even when Reverend warns him “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man”(177). Reverend has seen how no colored man has ever won over a white man. Lee uses this to show the social injustices of the courtroom. Soon after Reverend says this, the verdict is revealed. The verdict causes Jem to become upset saying how “how could they do it, how could they”(180). Jem is a child but feels empathy towards Tom, he knows the accusations were unjust. Jem’s disapproval of the verdict emphasizes Lee’s feelings about racial injustice. Lee believes that everyone should be treated
One of the major conflicts of the story is the case of Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is a black man accused of raping Mayella, the daughter of Bob Ewell. The Ewell’s are viewed as the poorest people in town. During the trial Atticus portrays convincing evidence in a professional manner. He ends up losing the trial which, from the beginning, Atticus knew what was to happen. Atticus realized that “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed”(205). Atticus shows that he understand the inequality of race because he knew that just because Mayella accused Tom, he would be convicted. During the actuation of the trial, Jem is there to experience it. He feels hopeful even when Reverend warns him “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man”(177). Reverend has seen how no colored man has ever won over a white man. Lee uses this to show the social injustices of the courtroom. Soon after Reverend says this, the verdict is revealed. The verdict causes Jem to become upset saying how “how could they do it, how could they”(180). Jem is a child but feels empathy towards Tom, he knows the accusations were unjust. Jem’s disapproval of the verdict emphasizes Lee’s feelings about racial injustice. Lee believes that everyone should be treated