America has always taken pride in its detailed history, for better or for worse. Many novels have attempted to demonstrate historical events, but none have quite come close to the outstanding perspective of To Kill a Mockingbird. Readers get to see America as it was in the 1930's through the eyes of an untainted, unhindered child. As it has always been told, sadly, racism and prejudice were somewhat of a building block for the founding of this country. The audience experiences this firsthand in the novel as Atticus Finch, a middle-aged lawyer, takes on a case in which he must defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. Circumstantially, the cause for this case would be lost; the black man would be found guilty upon being seen by the jury. As even Reverend Sykes stated, “[he] had never seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man” (279). But Atticus, an entrepreneur of his own kind, defied the accepted truth and caused the jury to ponder for hours. This was an important moment for both literature and for the well-being of America. It puts into perspective the hardships of African Americans during the 1930’s, which is not something to be taken lightly.…
"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word ( ~Martin Luther King, Jr.)." The novel "To kill a mockingbird" was written by Harper Lee in the 1960s about Two kids Jem and Scout who live in Maycomb county with their dad Atticus Finch and their maid Calpurnia. In this town many things happen, for example, there was a trial About how A black man named Tom Robinson rapes a girl named Mayella Ewell (A white girl). Out of everyone in the town, Atticus was asked to defend Tom and he accepted causing everyone to call Atticus names…
Books filled with controversy rarely get recognition for shaping people’s lives; however, To Kill a Mockingbird overcomes this stereotype by showing the good in an otherwise not so good community. This community, known as Maycomb, exemplified traditional racial views that southerners held during the 1930’s. Most of the community, and most of Southern America, shared these same racial views, but Atticus Finch’s beliefs differ from those around him. Throughout the book, Atticus stands up for people of all races despite what those around him think. The courage shown by Atticus has greatly impacted all aspects of my life, including my faith, and demonstrates the determination that I wish to possess.…
The historical and social context in which Lee’s Novel was written must be considered to understand fully the challenges that faced each of the characters in achieving justice. Through developing a back-story and ongoing characterisation the audience understands that the town of Maycomb in which this story is set has the same, southern sentiments of racism consistent with 1930’s Alabama. Historically the story is also set during the great depression with people having ‘nothing to buy and no money to buy it with’, we also learn about the small town traditions and that keeping to oneself was ‘a predilection unforgiveable in Maycomb’. This all adds to the restrictive views of society in which the protagonists of To Kill a Mockingbird must challenge to achieve justice.…
The unforgettable novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee take place in Maycomb County Alabama during the 1930’s. During the time period discrimination towards the black community was huge back then. The novel is told from Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch. The whole novel is told from her point of view. Throughout the text Lee establishes the theme of injustice, there are a lot of characters which have to face the obstacle of injustice. The injustice which intrigued me was the one that happened to Atticus. He taught his children the importance of equality and respect. The journey of injustice faced Atticus when he was given a case where a innocent black man is accused of rapeing a young white women. Before the case even went to trial Atticus…
* Powerful characters have the ability to persuade and change their peers and their use of values and attitudes. Harper Lee’s novel ‘To kill a Mockingbird’ is a classic text which foregrounds the prejudice, in the form of social commentary. The novel engages the readers’ view using an episodic structure. The story is narrated through the eyes of a grown up Scout, representing Harper Lee herself. Another similar story ‘A time to kill’ by John Grisham defence of a Negro by white lawyer. In this story, the Negro, Carl Lee Hailey is accused of the alleged shooting of two-white men who raped his ten year old daughter. These two novels illustrate how the rights of Negroes are ignored.…
‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ classified as one of the greatest novels of all time, written by Harper Lee, is narrated by a young girl who goes by the name of ‘Scout’ Finch. It follows her experiences of prejudice through sexism, racism, and also classism, which occurs at many stages throughout the novel as a consequence of the trial of Tom Robinson, and her encounters with Boo Radley, her neighbor. Even though Scout is surrounded in numerous acts of prejudice on a daily basis, she does not give in to the narrow-minded views of society instead making assumptions of her own. Her father, Atticus, helps her in keeping her innocence and freedoms, teaching her valuable life lessons on the way; one being that the most important form of courage is moral courage. There are different types of courage: physical, intellectual, and moral. While humble, Atticus undoubtedly possessed physical courage; when Tom Robinson was in jail awaiting trail, he spent the nights outside the cell reading, once encountering an angry mob intent on lynching the prisoner. But moral courage is unquestionably the most vital type of courage, and this Atticus undoubtedly had. Moral courage…
Life is full of courage. In a world full of hatred and racism, courage is the one thing that everybody needs, especially in Maycomb, Alabama. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many events help certain characters stand out and leave the reader with a good picture of the many types of people in Maycomb. The main characters that will be included in almost every event are Atticus, Jem, and Scout. As a family, they will go through many obstacles and hopefully persevere. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus uses conflicts that his children face to teach them courage.…
“To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960 and it reflected on the Civil Rights Movement. Maycomb, the setting of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, is a microcosm of American Society as the Americans were amidst the Great Depression. Also, Martin Luther King referred to this time as being ‘sweltering’ with oppression. Since people at the time were trapped by other people’s opinions and developed a strong system of class hierarchy, very few actually thought about opening their minds so people could live in harmony. The Finch household, being one of the few households that neglects racial standing, did not accept prejudice. This value was held by Calpurnia, a black woman, and also Atticus. As the moral voice of the novel, Atticus demonstrated several meaningful ideas.…
Harper Lee's renowned novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, depicts the racial injustices of the deep south during the early 20th century. Protagonist Atticus Finch, a knowledgeable attorney, is faced with the daunting task of defending a convicted black man in a hostile court filled with bigoted Alabamians. Defendant Tom Robinson is charged with the rape of Mayella Ewell, a young white woman. It quickly becomes apparent that despite the fact that Robinson is clearly innocent, the jury has no intention of acquitting a black man charged with raping a white women. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Atticus delivers a profoundly illuminating speech:…
Throughout the story of To Kill a Mockingbird the theme of real courage was portrayed multiple times. Two characters in particular embody this theme, and provide many examples of what real courage truly is. The first character that possess real courage is Scout’s father, Atticus. Atticus is fearless and courageous for taking on the case of Tom Robinson. He knew that the odds were stacked against him. Regardless he tried anyway because he was going to fight for what was right, even if he was the only one. When asked by Scout why he took the case Atticus replied, “For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town. I could not represent this county in the legislature, I could not even tell you or Jem not…
In Harper Lee’s autobiographical narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird, characters like Atticus, Dolphus Raymond, and Tom Robinson demonstrate many forms of courageous behavior; in contrast, characters like Bob Ewell demonstrate cowardice. From these characters, Harper Lee’s audience learns that there are many characters in this book that are brave.…
In the novel, to Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus is portrayed as a virtuous man with lots of integrity. Atticus always had good moral values that he wishes everyone else could have. He was also always a good parent, telling Jem and Scout about a strong sense of morality. He even told them that they couldn’t use the word “nigger” or “nigger-lover” even though everyone else does, “”Scout,” said Atticus, “nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything--like snot-nose. It’s hard to explain--ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves.” (Lee 144). Atticus believes in equality for all of men so he defends African American from prejudice, and even Tom Robinson in court. This story reveals Atticus’s courage and dedication for defending Tom Robinson but Atticus demonstrates his virtue and good moral values through his quiet everyday actions and teaching his children to judge only after looking at the world through other points of view.…
Courage, something that comes in many forms, hiding in every corner, but not always seen. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee portrays many forms of courage through the actions of her characters. The three characters, which from my perspective, revealed their courage via their actions within this novel are Mrs. Dubose, Jem and Atticus.…
"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities...because it is the quality which guarantees all others," (Winston Churchill). There are several different ways t be courageous. Harper Lee, in her 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, uses courage as a main theme. Harper Lee demonstrates that if one can tell the truth, change or remain rooted in their morals, they are a minority among people who lack the ability to do so.…