To Kill A Mockingbird Equality Analysis

The fight for equality and justice has been credited to various men and women that have sacrificed many aspects of their life. Most traditional societies see changes to the status quo as a threat and often oppose them. When sacrificial actions are made for justice and equality, society is more susceptible to change. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and the events that took place during the civil rights movement, demonstrate the sacrifice of one’s well-being in order to advocate for what is just. Atticus Finch’s actions, among other instances in the novel To Kill Mockingbird, illustrates one’s sacrifice for the sake of justice and equality.
To Kill a Mockingbird, is a novel written in the 1960’s depicting the trial of Tom Robinson in Maycomb,
Specifically, the common assumption in the novel that someone of a lower economic status is inferior. Jem Finch, Atticus’s son, however is not prejudice toward Walter Cunningham, the son of an impoverished farmer. In chapter 3, as a courteous offer, Jem suggests, “ Walter, come on home to dinner with us, We’d be glad to have you”(Lee 30). In opposition to Jem, other members of Maycomb view the Cunningham’s as “trash” and would have never invited Walter to dinner. This exemplifies Jem’s humanity and sacrifice of social standards. Later on in chapter 23, Scout distinguishes the Cunningham’s decency from their poverty and states that she, “will invite him to dinner” and that “he is a good boy”. This illustrates how societal norms can be overcome when sacrificial actions are taken for
In 1955, fourteen year old Emmett Till was tortured, beaten, and killed in Money, Mississippi. His case was a tragic injustice, without a proper investigation nor an adequate trial. In Free at Last, Mamie Mobley states,”The order came from the sheriff's office to bury that body just as soon as you can”(Hampton 41). Also, James Hicks, a reporter states, “In spite of the eyewitness testimony, the all-white jury returned a verdict of not guilty, having deliberated for one hour” (Hampton 44). The absence of justice and a proper investigation infuriated black communities throughout America. It was not until years of protest and other non-violent demonstrations that the judicial structure of America would become greater diverse and impartial. The civil rights movement consisted of many men and women making sacrifices and risking their lives for justice and equality for all. The civil rights movement, which was partially fueled by the Emmett Till case, generated possibly the greatest change to society in history, demonstrating that when people put themselves at jeopardy for the benefit of justice and equality, it is almost inevitable that society will