English AT3
An individual’s identity is shaped by many factors; therefore it is always changing in response to experiences in life. How people act, feel and how they perceive their surroundings and themselves can influence change in identity. It can be defined to be set characteristics by which and individual is recognised or known as by others. It is often seen that when people who have confronted a traumatic experience, they need to adapt to find a new sense of self in order to assimilate that experience and move beyond it. Many experiences in a person’s life can compel them to alter their identity. Loss of innocence is a key theme in Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Maturity and realisation of identity is a common topic in Ridley
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Scout narrates the trial of Tom Robinson and explains Jem’s reaction to the decision made by the judge. Jem believes that in court, justice prevails. He is convinced that Tom Robinson will be found innocent because Atticus has been able to provide reasonable doubt - Tom could not have beaten Mayella because he has no use of his left arm - However, justice is not served in the court trial; prejudice and discrimination take the win and Jem is crushed. ‘Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty…. guilty…. guilty…. guilty….” I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘Guilty’ was a separate stab between them.’ Lee has used repetition to emphasise the judge’s decision and to help the responder understand it. The use of imagery demonstrates Jem’s anger through the colour of his knuckles gripping the balcony rail. Scout describes Jem’s body movements; how his shoulders jerk with every …show more content…
Buzz did see a commercial on the television of himself, which blew his space ranger ego. After all, Buzz thought he was different, even better than the other creatures in Andy’s room. He has now understood that he has been one of them all along. This makes him feel insignificant and pointless. Even though Buzz seems to create change, in terms of impact upon Woody and the others, he is a persistent obstacle character. His existence influence Woody to face his own problems and that impact remains unbroken until Woody’s own alteration determines the injustice between
Lee uses Scout and Jem’s tumultuous childhood experiences to... has had many trials through her life, and on was in fact a trail of Tom Robinson, a black man accused in raping Mayella Ewell, one of the daughters of Bob Ewell, the town’s idler. Atticus, the children’s father, was defending Tom Robinson, and the case seemed to be in favor of him, all the way to the point of Jem stating, “He’s not leaning, Reverend, but don’t fret, we’ve won it..Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard-”(Lee 176). Jem is very confident in his father’s argument, and believes that the case will lean to Tom,
Jem was suddenly furious. He leaped off the bed, grabbed me by the collar and shook me. “I never wanta hear about that courthouse again, ever, ever, you hear me? You hear me? Don’t you ever say one word to me about it again, you hear? Now go on!” (Lee 331).
In the courtroom that night it is revealed that the alleged crimes of Tom Robinson, a decent Negro man, most likely did not happen. As Atticus says in his closing argument, "The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is” (Lee 271). Showing the clear innocence of Tom Robinson due to lack of evidence, Scout thinks that the white jury will do the right thing only to find out that they still, unfairly, accuse him of being guilty. Scout and her brother, Jem, get very upset when they hear the verdict, however, it allows them both to learn the lesson that the county is unfair towards anyone who is not white. The county demonstrates this evil racism due to the social divisions in Maycomb between the whites and the blacks and because the whites see the blacks as unworthy of rights and freedoms. It was not just the trial itself that displayed evil in the world, but the comments and arguments surrounding the case did
In order to fully examine the narrator’s transformation journey, there are many factors that have to be looked at in the themes that are discussed in the book. They include the Grandfather’s message in chapter one, Tod Clifton’s death, when the narrator is kicked out of college and the events in the factory and the factory hospital are some of the examples (Ellison 11). All these events contributed enormously towards the narrator finding his true identity.
Innocence is defined as the state of being not guilty of a crime or other wrong act. The definition does not have any exceptions depending on race, age, gender or other physical characteristics. Yet in the south, the innocence of a guilty white man, is more important than the innocence of an innocent black man. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is about a young girl named Scout who lives in Maycomb County, Alabama. The novel is separated into two parts, the first part is about the adventures of Boo Radley. While the second part is about the trial of Tom Robinson. In the first part of the novel, Scout along with her brother Jem and her friend Dill investigate the mysterious life of their neighbor, Boo Radley. Boo has not left
Having grown up in the home of a lawyer, Jem understands the ways of the courtroom and recognizes Atticus’ behavior in court. When Tom Robinson is put on trial for being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Atticus is appointed his attorney. As questioning continues, Atticus blatantly proves it was impossible for Tom to even commit the crime. Jem says to Reverend Sykes, "...don't fret, we've won it....Don't see how any jury could convict on what we heard" (Lee 279). Jem’s response to Reverend Sykes comment
verdict of the trial, Jem and Scout see the hate in jurors for blacks, for it is obvious that Tom Robinson is innocent. Another new and disturbing element that Jem and Scout discover is child abuse. Having never been hit by Atticus, the children know nothing of physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse. However, Mayella Ewell knows too well of these abuses and is a victim of them from her own father. Bob Ewell shows he has no consideration for her by his actions or words, and this is clearly displayed during the trial when he is being asked on the stand, "Are you the father of Mayella Ewell?" (172) His crude reply is, "Well, if I ain’t I can’t do nothing about it now"(172). This shows he has no class or respect, while on the other hand, Jem and Scout are used to seeing the example of their tactful father. Also, during the trial it becomes lucid that Bob Ewell beat Mayella up and not Tom Robinson.
The Loss of Personal Identity: An Exploration of the Loss of Identity to a Singular Person or Group of People Inquiry Subject: Connections with people that allow loss of personal identity Guiding Question(s): How does society and the people in our lives mold or affect our personal identity? Novels: George Orwell’s 1984 and John Knowles’ A Separate Peace Rationale: Personal Identity is necessary to exceed in life, but is often hard to maintain and be at peace with.
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird: The Significance of a Mockingbird In a society surrounded by corruption, racism, and cruelty it is rare to find purity. Innocence is constantly being destroyed. For this reason, the harmless citizens need to be treasured and protected. Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird portrays the injustices of the 1930’s that expose the innocent to the malice of the society’s intentions. Some characters in the novel are characterized as harmless and pure and are symbolized by mockingbirds.
Tom Robinson is at the stand being questioned by Mr. Gilmer. Dill starts to feel sick because of how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom. The narrator explains, “Well, Dill,after all he is just a negro” (Lee 266).This piece of evidence shows that prejudice is used as an antagonist in the novel by giving an unfair trial to Tom Robinson. The quote states “he is just a negro,” which shows that the trial is unfair just because of the towns racial views on people of color. The jury is all white and the case is black versus white. The jury is very biased towards the case. The prosecuting lawyers and defending lawyer are giving their closing statements. Atticus ends with a powerful speech that prove Tom is innocent and his views on race. The jury thinks over all the evidence for a long time and come to a verdict. The author of To Kill A Mockingbird quotes, “Guilty...Guilty...Guilty...Guilty…” (Lee 282). This quote shows the jury is very prejudice. There is more than enough evidence to prove Tom did not rape Mayella and that Bob Ewell beat her. Even though there is enough evidence to proves Tom’s innocence the jury’s verdict is guilty just because of their hate and their prejudice towards African Americans. Ultimately, prejudice is being used as an antagonist is very thoroughly shown throughout the entirety of the
After witnessing his father in court, during the Tom Robinson case, Jem slowly understands that one can not judge a book by it’s
A child’s journey to adulthood will corrupt their innocence. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the two main characters Jem and Scout are forced to grow up and face the realities of their world as their father prepared for one of the most controversial cases in his career. As the trial date gets closer and closer, Jem and Scout witnessed negative and positive things caused by the folks of Maycomb, they were not prepared for. Through all the commotion Jem and Scout learned the importance of benevolence and courage as it influenced their changing perspective on the world. The qualities Jem and Scout learn from benevolence and courage change how they see their world by showing them fairness, kindness and bravery.
Loss of Innocence in Killing a Mockingbird Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather, the streets turned red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. " (Lee 9). This environment, as Scout Finch accurately describes, is not conducive to young children, loud noises, and games. But, the Finch children and Dill must occupy themselves in order to avoid boredom.
“I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them. ”(Lee, Pg. 211). This quote shows that the
This never works for them because they see Boo as a ghost rather than the real person that he is. After he saves Jem and her from the menacing alcoholic, Bob Ewell, she is able to see Boo without fear in her eyes. She recognizes him as someone kind and finally sees him as he truly is. Later, Scout describes that she, “took him by the hand, a hand surprisingly warm for its whiteness,” (371). Similarly to Stoner’s Boy, Boo is misconceived to be an awful person.