Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

To kill a Mockingbird

Better Essays
1479 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To kill a Mockingbird
Inequality in the Court System
To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930’s during the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama. Harper Lee, the author, wrote this book in 1960 based on “the Scottsboro Boys” Trial of 1931 to 1937. This trial accused twelve Negro men, which Tom Robinson represents in the book, of raping a woman that is considered white trash [Mayella Ewell]. At the beginning of the novel, Harper Lee introduces a white lawyer, Atticus Finch, who is all about equality and angel-like moral. Atticus hears about the Tom Robinson Trial, and takes matters into his own hands to defend the Negro Man to promote equality for all men, and to prove Tom Robinson innocent. At the end of the trial, Atticus’s closing statement consists of him saying, “Our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.”Atticus’ statement is incorrect because the court of law is not equal to every man based on the facts of the extreme racist United States from the 1800’s to the 1900’s, the present day corruption in the court system, the story “Twelve Angry Men” and in Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” that shows prejudice stems from the naïve opinions people develop in order to establish a sense of superiority. In the days past, dating back from the 1800’s, the court of law was extremely unequal towards all men. From slavery up until 1865, when the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the court of law was at its highest form of being unequal and prejudice towards different types of men. The most commonly known is the United States being prejudice towards Negroes. Since most coloreds were ignorant most Americans thought it was easy to take them over, and become “The Slave Master.” When Negroes would go against the laws of others, they were beaten or killed but when a man not of color went against the laws of others, they were proven innocent in the court of law. All slaves lived in grueling existence, “They worked long days and often suffered whippings and beatings” (Spielvogel 498). They suffered these whippings for prejudice reasons. Slaves could never do anything right, they were always in the wrong and received unbearable consequences, as expressed in the quote, daily. Even-though slavery ended in 1865, the US was still a prejudiced society. In many ways coloreds were treated unequally in the court of the law. At this time, people still saw African Americans as not having any rights and not being treated equally. “White southerners passed laws that limited African Americans’ right, and made it difficult for them” (Spielvogel 672). This shows that Negro men could not acquire a good deed in the court of law, and they had no power in the development of the court system. This maximized the fact that no one cared about being equal to coloreds, especially in the court of law.
The present day court system has become substantially better than in the 1800’s, but there is still corruption. “An earthquake achieves what the law promises but does not in practice maintain-the equality of all men” (Silone). For example, Lindsay Lohan receives a lesser sentence than of the average “Blue collar” worker. When a celebrity is in the court, equality disappears from the court system; versus, when an average person is in the court inequality is in affect. Furthermore, celebrities are human beings like everyone else in the world, but in the court system they are treated as if they are super humans or above the law. When a celebrity is charged of the same crime as an average person, the celebrity may get lesser consequences because of fame, money resources, and place in our society. Though most celebrities aren’t serving much jail time for their crimes, the jails are still filling very fast with the average person. Since the jails and prisons are becoming full, the Wardens are beginning to get a court order to release criminals on the account of good behavior and many other reasons. “A total of 36,661 convicted criminals have been released early from jail under a government scheme to cut overcrowding in prisons” (Gray). This shows that they have been releasing horrible criminals for overcrowding of jails. The present day court system involving celebrity unfairness and early releasing of frightening criminals, shows inequality in the court of law.
In the story, “Twelve Angry Men” there is a display of prejudice in the court. The play introduces twelve men that are a part of the jury for a kid’s case, accusing him of murder of his father. The jury consists of people of different backgrounds. Before someone is appointed to the jury, they have to answer specific questions that can relate them to the case. This is done to assure that the people of the jury cannot have prejudice thoughts towards the case and its’ participants. But this is not a guarantee that there will not be prejudice towards the case, because a person can say no to any of the questions, and be in the act of a lie. This untruthfulness makes the court prejudice because of the jury. In the beginning of the deliberation, the 10th juror proves his prejudice towards the case, “you’re not going to tell us that we’re supposed to believe that kid, knowing what he is…you can’t believe a word they say. I mean, they’re born liars” (Rose 13). The 10th juror shows prejudice by using the word “they” to express a kind of person, and says you can’t believe they’re kind. Also, the jurors may have feelings towards a case that can change their thoughts on the case. The 8th juror, the only one in the beginning that thinks the kid is not guilty, has feelings about the case because of what events that have taken place in his life, “He’s had a pretty terrible sixteen years. I think maybe we owe him a few words” (Rose 13). Juror 8 shows sorrow towards the kid, which is not good for the jury in this case, because of what he has been through. The jury is the biggest deciding factor in the result of a case, and for it being corrupt, because of everyone having a prejudice thought towards something, makes the court system unequal to all men.
In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, there are a many forms of prejudice in the court throughout the book. Before the trial was to occur, when Atticus decides to take the case there were people who were being prejudice towards Atticus about taking the case. When Scout and Jem go to Finch’s landing they have to see their cousin Francis. Francis is influenced by his grandmother, known as Aunt Alexandra, and he says, “ Grandma says it’s bad enough he [Atticus] lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover…he’s nothin’ but a nigger-lover” (Lee 83). Francis is showing prejudice towards Atticus by calling him names and making it seem like Atticus is a horrible person for taking a case of a Negro defendant. Also, at the beginning of the trial, the white’s go in first, then it’s the blacks, “The Negroes, having waited for the white people to go upstairs, began to come in” (Lee 163). The blacks also get the bad seats in the court room, “the colored balcony ran along three walls of the courtroom like a second-story veranda” (Lee 164). They had to wait for whites and then walk a flight of stairs to get bad seats, showing inequality in the court room. Negroes were treated very unequally in the court room.
Since the 1800’s and even far beyond that until now the court system has been unequal for all men because of the extreme racist United States from the 1800’s to the 1900’s, the present day corruption in the court system, the story “Twelve Angry Men” and in Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” that shows prejudice stems from the naïve opinions people develop in order to establish a sense of superiority. In an idealistic world there is equality towards all men in the court room, but in the Realistic world there is prejudice and unfair treatment in the court of law throughout the world. Someone can have a dream of an Idealistic world, but in reality there will always be inequality in the court of law.

Works Cited
Gray, Sadie. "Jails Release 36,600 Criminals to Ease Overcrowding." Www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/sep/30/10. Ministry of Justice, 30 Sept. 2008. Web. 25 Apr. 2011.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.
Rose, Reginald. Twelve Angry Men. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
Silone, Ignazio. "Famous Quotes and Authors." Www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/ignazio_silone_quotes.html. Web. 25 Apr. 2011.
Spielvogel, Jackson J. Glencoe World History: Modern Times. New York, NY: McGraw Hill/Glencoe, 2007. Print.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates determination through Atticus Finch’s ability to do what is right at all costs because he wants to set good examples. First of all, Atticus defends those who aren’t able to speak for themselves or for those who aren’t understood. Evidence of this assertion from the book is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”- (pg. 39) Atticus defended Miss Caroline when Scout told him about Burris Ewell; Atticus told Scout to look at things from Miss Caroline’s perspective. Atticus knew that people shouldn’t tease Arthur Radley, so Atticus made sure his children didn’t make fun of Arthur. Atticus defended Mrs. Dubose and explained to Jem how she was the bravest person he ever knew. Second of all, Atticus accepts the trial of Tom Robinson even though the town is against him. Evidence of this second assertion is, “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience-Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.”- (pg. 139) Although Atticus knew that Tom Robinson was going to be guilty, Atticus still wanted to defend him. If Atticus couldn’t hold up his head in town, Atticus couldn’t represent this county in the legislature. He couldn’t even tell Scout or Jem not to do something again because Atticus could never ask them to mind him again. The town was against Atticus for defending a black man, but Atticus didn’t cave into the negative comments they were saying about him. When taking the case of Tom Robinson, Atticus took the responsibilities of protecting Tom. One of the times when Atticus protected Tom was when Atticus sat outside the jail late at night with a gun to protect Tom. Last of all, Atticus makes wise choices in regards to his children. Here are two evidences of this last assertion. “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout learns valuable lessons on the evil of prejudice present in her Southern town of Maycomb, on the true nature of courage, and on the dangers of judging others before "...climbing into their skin and walking around in it." Set in the mid 1930s, Scout Finch is a young girl living with her older brother, Jem, and her lawyer father. Being a kid, Scout has the simple duties of a minor, to have fun and to stay out of trouble. But along the way, she also learns many important things. Although the majority of her hometown is prejudiced, Scout's innocent mind remains non prejudice and caring of others. To her, all is equal, so therefore, should be treated equal. There is no doubt that Scout's character is one whom is an individual, someone whom will stick to her own perspective no matter how cruel and racist other people can be. In her adult world, Scout learns to treat all people fairly with dignity and respect.…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Prejudice is a real life problem in the world, and in To Kill Mockingbird’s novel this problem is evident in May comb. Boo Radley, Atticus finch and Tom Robinson are all victims of prejudice.…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mockingbirds are placid, blissful, and vulnerable animals. They do not harm anything or anyone. Killing a mockingbird resembles sin to many people throughout the entire novel. In To Kill a Mockingbird many characters can be characterized as being a mockingbird, including: Tom Robinson, Arthur (Boo) Radley, and Charles Baker Harris (Dill). Mockingbirds do not deserve any form of harm or pain in any way, shape, or form. Innocent humans do not deserve to be abused or threatened by anyone or anything.…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the book To Kill a Mockingbird there are a lot of interesting people with different characters. There are those who are brave and those who are cowards. For example Atticus is the bravest character and his son Jem is also brave. On the other hand there are the disgraceful people like Bob Ewell who is the coward. There are several events that take place in the book that show the characteristics of each of these three characters.…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man.” (272) this quote from chapter 20 just shows how racist and prejudiced the town Maycomb was. The society just cannot accept that a white woman likes a black man. The words illustrate a major theme in the novel that of the existence of social inequality. In my written evaluation I plan to discuss a main character and at least one of the novels central themes.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 506 Words
    • 3 Pages

    It was cool and breezy November morning in Maycomb. The last of the leafs had just fallen off of the trees. The year was 1951. There was a large crowd around the old oak tree in the cemetery, looking down at the casket. The casket belonged to Atticus Finch. Atticus was the greatest father anyone could ask for. Jem was standing at the head of the casket with his expecting wife Lisa. He put his warm and soft hand on the casket and looked at the sky. He suddenly felt someone touch his back lightly, it was Scout. He turned around and hugged each other for what felt like forever. Soon, many other people joined around Jem and Scout and murmured different things about how great of a man Atticus was. He was the most respected man in all of Maycomb. Jem and Scout tried to look at the positive things about Atticus. Dill wrapped his arms around Scout, which the two married only three months before Atticus’s death. The family of Tom Robinson showed up and Tom’s wife spoke very softly about how Atticus was the greatest man to ever step foot in Maycomb. This made Jem very proud because he took up just like his father and became a lawyer. Scout became a school teacher, and she teaches the 1st grade. Dill works at a Wood Mill in Maycomb. This was a new addition to Maycomb; it was built only six years ago. Miss Maudie handed Jem and Scout the will that he wrote. The will gave Jem and his wife the house that he grew up in. It also listed for Jem to have Atticus’s pocket watch. Next it was Scouts turn. Scout got Atticus’s car. There was a spot for Boo Radley. Unfortunately, he died three weeks before Atticus did. The sun was beginning to set in the distance, and they started to lower Atticus’s casket into the ground. As if began to lower, three tears suddenly fell onto the casket. The tears belonged to Jem, Scout, and Dill. As the casket finally fell into its stopping point, Scout reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt, she tossed it…

    • 506 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Harper Lees classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, remains relevant despite its age and deserves a place in the English curriculum of modern Australian classrooms.…

    • 1064 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Courageous people are the individuals that are influential and our role models. These people are known to be brave, confident and gallant. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout understand the true nature of courage by observing many characters in the novel who clearly demonstrate this theme. Courage is shown through the actions of Mrs. Dubose, Arthur (Boo) Radley and most importantly Atticus.…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 4597 Words
    • 19 Pages

    |3 |27 |“They come first day every year and then leave. The truant lady gets ‘em here the first day.” |…

    • 4597 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Boo Radley and Mayella Ewell are alike as victims in several ways. There were victims of verbal abuse and both physical abuse from Boo's and Mayella's cruel father. Neither one of them had any friends to keep them company or a friend who could really help them. People of Maycomb could have thought this to be strange so they didn't associate themselves with Boo or Mayella. During the trial Atticus asked Mayella if she had any friends, Mayella thought Atticus making fun of her by saying this. We also know that Boo doesn't have any friends either, because of the way Boo is never seen outside of the house or for any matter never seen at all. Boo never had a very good childhood mainly because of his cruel father. Mr. Radley treated Boo in a foul way, to which no child should be treated. The same goes for Mayella, she is abused by her drunken father most of the days. Mr. Ewell rapped his daughter and then blamed it on a poor innocent black man named Tom Robinson. These are they ways that Boo Radley and Mayella Ewell are alike as victims.…

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Parents support their children through influencing how they mature and ultimately become their child’s role model. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about how two children, Scout and Jem Finch grow up and begin to understand the world in a more adult point of view. Their father, Atticus Finch, assists them to see the world for what it truly is. Thus, he aids his children by teaching them important life lessons throughout the novel. Atticus tries to teach his children to look beyond a person’s skin color and treat them as equals. Furthermore, Atticus strives to teach Scout to put herself into another person’s shoes in order to truly understand them. Lastly to stand up for one’s beliefs and what is right and true. Scout and Jem ultimately learn from the three life lessons about racism and prejudice, empathy and courage that Atticus attempts to teach them.…

    • 1835 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The problems of human inequality and the divisions within human society are evident in To Kill A Mockingbird as well as in our world today. This trial showed racial inequality through the accusation of rape by an African American male. The Ewell’s showed financial inequality since they were poor and the town didn’t care about them.…

    • 351 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930s, which is the time when segregation was still legal. The novel itself was published in 1960, right in the midst of the Civil Rights movement. Throughout Harper Lee’s novel one of her characters, a young Scout Finch, with the assistance of her father Atticus, learns “how to walk around in others’ shoes” and see life from their perspectives (Lee, 86). This is a lesson in Lee’s made up county of Maycomb could desperately benefit from, since racism and prejudice is running rampant in Maycomb County. Atticus has taken a job that involves defending Tom Robinson, a black man who is wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Tom’s safety is endangered, as townspeople want to take problems into their own hands.…

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee explains the wickedness of social inequality during the 1950's. Specifically differences in social status and the social hierarchy of Maycomb and the unfair inequality between the whites and the blacks. It also tells the story of an ethical lawyer named Atticus Finch and his family as he tries to defend a falsely accused black man in an important trial in high expectations of attempting to reach equality within the town of Maycomb. To Kill a Mockingbird reflects the existence of social inequality through the characters along with references of racial and biased discrimination of African Americans within many areas of the novel.…

    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays