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Social differences in to kill a mockingbird
Racism in literature
Social differences in to kill a mockingbird
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In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, racism among society isone of the key issue that was highlighted to the readers. While reading this novel, I have began to gain an idea of life among colored and white people in the early 1920s of South America. In Maycomb, there were strict social classes practiced. White people had their own social classes and, only, at the very bottom were black people. Majority of the whites did not mingle with the black people, this was a result of white people were brought up to be prejudiced against the black people. Racism was clearly shown from the plot of Tom Robinson’s trial. Tom Robinson was an innocent coloured man who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white girl. He was proven not guilty although
In the 1930’s many African American men were wrongly accused of rape and murder. The issue of racism is brought up in the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” when Scout overhears her teacher saying that it's a great thing that this is happening to Tom Robinson because the black men are getting too comfortable thinking that they’re mighty. Racism didn’t only affect Tom Robinson, but it also affected those who supported him. The lives of Scout and her family are changed when Scouts father who is a lawyer, steps in and defends Tom Robinson. Atticus’ lawsuit affects Scout and his children in several ways. As kids who were raised to respect everyone, and not judge people by their race they seem to be the outcast in school because of this. The children in Scouts, school are not accustomed to people respecting African-Americans and as a result they taunt and harass Atticus’ children. As a result of the violence towards Scout, Scout responds to violence with violence. However, Atticus is not happy with the way Scout is handling her problems. Racism is a reoccurring theme throughout the course of the story and affects all of the main characters in several ways. Maycomb as a whole is affected because of racism and many become outcasts such as in Mrs.Dolphus Raymond's
A closer look at the ways of the South during the time period 1925 through 1935 reveals the accurate representation of society in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Many of the fictional events occurring in the novel are closely related to actual historical events that took place in the South during the time period in which the book is set. Most importantly, the trial of Tom Robinson illustrates how life was for a black man in a world dominated by white men. Tom Robinson’s trial can be paralleled to the trials of the Scottsboro boys, the horrific lynching that occurred in the South, and the general attitude of white society towards black society during the time period. Historical evidence verifies that Tom Robinson is proven guilty before his trial ever begins.
The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a simplistic view of life in the Deep South of America in the 1930s. An innocent but humorous stance in the story is through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch. Scout is a young adolescent who is growing up with the controversy that surrounds her fathers lawsuit. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, with the charge of raping a white girl. The lives of the characters are changed by racism and this is the force that develops during the course of the narrative.
In the time around 1931, slavery had been abolished for almost seventy years, and many Black were living in society just like everyone else because they had the right to. Still, people didn’t treat them like they belonged, despite the government officially declaring it so. The majority of Whites made sure they had nothing to do with Blacks, for they might also face being disrespected or looked down upon. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many outcomes may have resulted differently because of people of the town of Maycomb’s racism towards Black. Tom Robinson got an unfair white jury. Aunt Alexandra ended Scout and Jem’s going to church because it was a black church. People did not care how Tom was treated because he was “only a black.” The town turned against Atticus for defending a black man. Racism in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird affected the events by not giving black people as much chance of being taken for their word of innocence, which demonstrated not only an unjust legal system for persons of color, but an unfair system in other aspects of life as well.
In a desperate attempt to save his client, Tom Robinson, from death, Atticus Finch boldly declares, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 271). The gross amounts of lurid racial inequality in the early 20th century South is unfathomable to the everyday modern person. African-Americans received absolutely no equality anywhere, especially not in American court rooms. After reading accounts of the trials of nine young men accused of raping two white women, novelist Harper Lee took up her pen and wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, a blistering exposition of tragic inequalities suffered by African Americans told from the point of view of a young girl. Though there are a few trivial differences between the events of the Scottsboro trials and the trial of Tom Robinson portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird, such as the accusers’ attitudes towards attention, the two cases share a superabundance of similarities. Among these are the preservation of idealist views regarding southern womanhood and excessive brutality utilized by police.
Racial prejudice is widespread in the county of Maycomb, and a prime example is the Tom Robinson case. Tom, a black man, was accused of raping Mayella, a white woman. Atticus puts forward all evidence from his witnesses that clearly proves Tom was innocent, Jem even says, ?and we?re gonna win Scout. I don?t see how we can?t? (pg 206), but Tom still received a ?Guilty? verdict. Atticus tried removing the prejudiced thoughts of the jurors by saying, ??the assumption - the evil assumption - that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings??. (pg 208). Atticus? saying insinuated the point that all of God?s children were created equal. To the jury, the only important thing was that Tom was black and the accuser was white, he never stood a chance under those conditions. These racial tensions between blacks and whites had made their way into the courtroom, a place where everyone should receive a fair trial no matter what race or colour, but an unjust verdict was reached. The prejudice that was felt towards Tom made him lose all hope of freedom, and as a result, he died upon an escape attempt. Tom was victim of racial prejudice and loss of hope.
To Kill a Mockingbird, written by the very talented and influential author Harper Lee, was published in the 1960’s. This novel was immediately successful. It won the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a popular book read throughout American literature. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of a family growing up during the Great Depression through a series of symbolic events. “Symbolism is, indeed, used extensively by Harper Lee in her timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. The symbolism reveals the prejudice and narrow-mindedness of the common citizens of Maycomb County, the fears they have, and all of the immoral things they do” (Symkowski). It introduces character such as Atticus, a lawyer, and father of two children, Jem and Scout Finch. Atticus attempts to defend a falsely accused black man, Tom Robinson, in an important trial, against Mayella Ewell, the accuser. Atticus, a white man, was up against the racism throughout Maybcomb in the 1930’s. He struggled to both emotionally and logically demonstrate that Tom Robinson could not have committed such a crime. Atticus says to Jem, ‘”As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, he is trash”’ (Lee 224). This is said right after the Tom Robinson trial. This trial raises a very important question. Can one race of people stand out to be more superior to the other? In the 1930’s the answer would be yes, due to the discrimination of black people. Whites were known to be superior, which is why racism was such an issue. Yes, racism does still exist in society today, so...
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, many different themes come into view. One major theme that played a big role in the character’s lives is racial prejudice. Racism is an unending problem throughout the book. The song “Message from a Black Man” by The Temptations has many similarities to the theme of racial discrimination. Therefore, both the novel and the song prove that racism was a great obstacle for some people at a point.
Racism was a very large part of society in the south during the 1930’s. Many colored people were thought of as less than their peers. Whites were considered better than African Americans were, and almost every white person accepted the unjust judgment. Racial discrimination hit hard in the south. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird were impacted by racial discrimination, including Calpurnia, Scout, and Tom Robinson and his family.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
While in court, Atticus tries to convince the jury to stray away from their usual habits. He wants them to listen to the evidence and not Maycomb’s opinion. This unjust treatment happens countless times, so people already can predict the verdict. Atticus is urging them to change history, and the way we perceive African Americans. In his closing argument he states, “‘in cynical confidence...that you gentlemen would go along with them on the evil assumption that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings’” (232). The citizens of Maycomb assume it was Tom because of his race; they view his race as definitive proof that he is guilty. Their minds were decided, so they ignored the evidence. Racism is a common prejudice, so people
Have you ever experienced racism first hand? Do you commit acts of racism? Do you know people who do? Racism is a huge problem in society today, as well as in the past. Almost everybody has been involved in some way or another. People have known about this problem for a long time, and many stories have been made about it. This book displays many themes from todays society and our recent past. In the Novel, some characters are racist in many ways. The Novel talks about racism and brings it to light.
Today, the word “Ferguson” has the ability to launch a heated debate about the issue of racism. Though racism is a significant problem, it is just a branch of the larger subjects of prejudice and judging. One theme of Nelle Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is that people make wrong judgements about others through rumors, drawing conclusions without considering the entire story, and looking for a reason for someone’s behavior.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is marvelous and unforgettable novel. Not only show how dramatic, sad in and old town – Maycomb be like, but through her unique writings, some big conflicts about politics and critical is going on through this tired old Southern town. Not just in general like education, friendship, neighbors but also pacific in individuals like family and the people’s characteristics themselves. In one book yet can covered with such many problems, Harper Lee must have been experienced a lot and deeply understanding that time. That is why the book lives, becoming literature and get the love from the audiences a lot. One of the problem and mostly run along with the story and interest me is racism between white people and black people socially.
Racism presents itself in many ways in the town of Maycomb. Some are blatant and open, but others are more insidious. One obvious way that racism presents itself is in the result of Tom Robinson’s trial. Another apparent example is the bullying Jem and Scout had to endure as a result of Atticus’s appointment as Tom Robinson’s defense attorney. A less easily discernible case is the persecution of Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who chose to live his life in close relation with the colored community.