Mockingbird: Racism In Film In The 1960's
Pop Culture Research Paper
Chandler Pruneau
November 9, 2014
To Kill a Mockingbird: Racism in Film in the 1960’s
The 1960’s was a decade of radical social change and revolutionary attitude. While people were able to come together on many issues and influence positive change in our nation, racism was still a shaky platform for much of society. Because the ideas of hatred and inequality were deep rooted in so many people, the social activists in favor of an equal America faced a long and dangerous road toward change. Films of the decade seemed to either dance around the issue or come on too strong. Robert Mulligan’s 1963 film adaption of Harper Lee’s 1960 novel found a balance between the two. To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the decade’s …show more content…
Looking back, it may appear as though the film is too forgiving when it comes to racism, but it understood the cautions of society and encapsulates the innocence of the early sixties. The film pushes the limits just far enough as to entice its audiences to pick and side and take a stance in a way that they can understand and accept. And by only presenting two clear choices, it forces the audience to really ask themselves who they would stand up for: Mayella Ewell or Tom Robinson? What some critics failed to recognize in respect to the seemingly cookie-cutter characters, was the undeniable similarities between audience members and the people in the film. Atticus Finch, a widowed considerably wealthy white lawyer, was able to pull reluctant audiences in by being the ideal father figure. His spunky daughter Scout was both lovable and endearing. She forms her own opinions throughout the film with the guidance of her accepting father. Atticus also has an equally charming son Jeremy, referred to as “Jem”. People easily related to and admired the picturesque but unique family, which made the films impact immensely stronger. While it is unfortunate that the white characters are perceived as …show more content…
The following day, Meredith became the first African-American student to be enrolled at the university.6 Because of the uncomfortable parallels to reality, The Intruder was arguably the most honest film about race relations to be produced that year. However, To Kill a Mockingbird won over audiences nation wide and pushed, even if only a gentle push, for new dialogue and action concerning race relations in America. To Kill A Mockingbird may be set in the 1930’s, but 1960’s audiences easily relate to the themes presented. Not only do the film’s events seem representative of real occurrences, the ideas conveyed clearly comment on 1960’s society. The film explores the theme of innocence in multiple ways. It deals with a child’s naïve view of the world and how that is easily changed. It also presents the idea that there is a responsibility for society to protect the innocent. The film examines the problem of ignorance and how perceptions of people should not take precedent over the facts. “Loss of innocence” is a commonly used
Chandler Pruneau
November 9, 2014
To Kill a Mockingbird: Racism in Film in the 1960’s
The 1960’s was a decade of radical social change and revolutionary attitude. While people were able to come together on many issues and influence positive change in our nation, racism was still a shaky platform for much of society. Because the ideas of hatred and inequality were deep rooted in so many people, the social activists in favor of an equal America faced a long and dangerous road toward change. Films of the decade seemed to either dance around the issue or come on too strong. Robert Mulligan’s 1963 film adaption of Harper Lee’s 1960 novel found a balance between the two. To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the decade’s …show more content…
Looking back, it may appear as though the film is too forgiving when it comes to racism, but it understood the cautions of society and encapsulates the innocence of the early sixties. The film pushes the limits just far enough as to entice its audiences to pick and side and take a stance in a way that they can understand and accept. And by only presenting two clear choices, it forces the audience to really ask themselves who they would stand up for: Mayella Ewell or Tom Robinson? What some critics failed to recognize in respect to the seemingly cookie-cutter characters, was the undeniable similarities between audience members and the people in the film. Atticus Finch, a widowed considerably wealthy white lawyer, was able to pull reluctant audiences in by being the ideal father figure. His spunky daughter Scout was both lovable and endearing. She forms her own opinions throughout the film with the guidance of her accepting father. Atticus also has an equally charming son Jeremy, referred to as “Jem”. People easily related to and admired the picturesque but unique family, which made the films impact immensely stronger. While it is unfortunate that the white characters are perceived as …show more content…
The following day, Meredith became the first African-American student to be enrolled at the university.6 Because of the uncomfortable parallels to reality, The Intruder was arguably the most honest film about race relations to be produced that year. However, To Kill a Mockingbird won over audiences nation wide and pushed, even if only a gentle push, for new dialogue and action concerning race relations in America. To Kill A Mockingbird may be set in the 1930’s, but 1960’s audiences easily relate to the themes presented. Not only do the film’s events seem representative of real occurrences, the ideas conveyed clearly comment on 1960’s society. The film explores the theme of innocence in multiple ways. It deals with a child’s naïve view of the world and how that is easily changed. It also presents the idea that there is a responsibility for society to protect the innocent. The film examines the problem of ignorance and how perceptions of people should not take precedent over the facts. “Loss of innocence” is a commonly used