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Problems with racism in literature
Moral development to kill a mockingbird
What is the theme of the story to kill a mockingbird by harper lee
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To Allow To Kill A Mockingbird Schools should not ban Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird because it teaches readers valuable morals as well as acts as an accurate example of life in the 1930s. “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” (Lee PAGE #). When Atticus says this to Scout after she has trouble judging others, it has much more of an effect than just to teach Scout a lesson. This quote addresses all types of discrimination in the world and how people should never judge others without knowing their story first. Renditions of this quote appear constantly throughout the work, so therefore Harper Lee aims to open readers eyes to the reality
In my opinion, I agree that To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee should be taught in schools. It should be taught for a variety of reasons, some in which the article we read covered and some it did not. I think it should be taught in schools because it tells us real life examples of what our history used to be like and the book could also teach all of us a lesson in life. Some points in the article we read that I will be talking about is what the book is about, how it is important for American history, and finally why I disagree with the statement of only adults should be able to read this.
In the world people are always preconceived based on who they are or what they look like. Even though it isn’t as big of a problem in some areas as in others, we need to fight it. If we don’t then it will continue to get more serious and at times lead to death. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Alexandra tells her niece that she can’t play with a schoolmate simply because of his class. “‘You can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem…Because—he—is—trash.’” (224). This prejudiced state of mind is the foundation for the plot events of the novel. By way of experiences, a young girl, Scout Finch, must learn about the part prejudice plays in the everyday life of Maycomb County. Through settlement patterns, justice, and social stratification Harper Lee reveals the ways of prejudice.
Tom Robinson’s so-called “guilt” was determined, implied by the book, because he was black. Atticus had strong points for his defense and innocence, yet somehow, that factor of evil within human nature overcomes the all-white jury. This is important to acknowledge. This part, and many other situations that occur, capture the racism of the novel. I understand that it is disturbing, but it is unfortunately a historical part of this nation, that everybody, no matter his or her race, should know about. Today, racism still happens, yet it differentiates from the past because it occurs in many directions. I believe if more students were able to see the innocent point of view established in To Kill a Mockingbird, they would be able to view the distinction between good and evil in human nature, and gain a new perspective of how everybody should be treated fairly. The use of foul language and the concept of sex can be overtaken based on the maturity of the reader. In my eyes, the use of vulgar language has indeed become more present, and education on sexual topics is expanding in this generation, so the fact that this book is banned based on those standards confuses me even
To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, may appear to be a simple story about childhood and life in a Southern town, but upon close examination it is a complex novel dealing with themes of education, moral courage, and tolerance. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, the young protagonist, novelist Harper Lee educates the reader about the importance of a moral education, as opposed to a formal education, the difference between traditional bravery and moral courage, and prejudice vs. tolerance.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird occurs in the 1930’s when discrimination was at its high points. The novel follows Atticus Finch as he defends a black man who has been accused of a certain crime. Atticus strives to be a good role-model for Jem and Scout by proving one should not judge others. The acts of prejudice towards the society influence the behavior of the main characters in the novel and show how society is conformed.
Many people say the depravity of telling children about the heavy topics of the world, such as war, gives children biased and stereotyped views of the world and how it works. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, she uses many characters such as Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and an eccentric man named Arthur “Boo” Radley to show how the stereotypes of people can crush innocence. Harper Lee uses the first person point of view of Scout, a young mischievous girl, and the anomaly of Boo Radley, to convey the idea of the heavy topic of bias and stereotypes to address the harms of destroying the innocence of a person. Through Scout’s and Boo’s experiences, Lee is able to suggest that society has an obligation to look past stereotypes and judge a person not based on things such as appearance.
Despite great strides made by congress in order to pass non-discrimination bills, there are still people that experience racial prejudice. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee, makes racial prejudice a central topic. Harper Lee takes her readers back to the 1930’s in the fictional town of Maycomb in which there is a divide between blacks and whites: black people are prejudiced against white people, and white people are prejudiced against black people. She uses characters like Jem and Scout, who are kids, to show how they can become a victim to racial prejudice, and this experience consequently ruins their innocence. Through Jem and Scout’s tumultuous and racially-charged coming of age experience, Harper Lee suggests that racism can destroy a child’s innocence.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged/banned countless times since it’s original publication in 1960. The reasoning people could have behind banning it is that they feel that the racism, language and subject matter in the book is offensive, inappropriate, immoral and that it encourages and condones such things. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, a small town in Alabama, during the depression from 1935-1937, and is told from the perspective of a little girl named Scout. In the book Scout’s father Atticus teaches her and her brother Jem many valuable lessons. The things Atticus teaches Scout and Jem are things we all need to know. To Kill a Mockingbird is an inspirational book that teaches valuable moral values, and should not be banned.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a well known story, and is one that relates to history, equality, and human morals. Although this book is important to these topics, over 300 formal complaints have been made against the book, and the book has been banned in 19 schools from when its been released to 2013. These statistics are frightening because this book shows readers how dark the world can be. I only think it makes sense to share this story with the youth so these events never happen again. I think this book should be allowed to be read everywhere.
Atticus says, “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” (Lee 33). Due to our sinful nature, people are so quick to judge, deciding that they will not be around people who are different. The real truth is that America has become narrow minded, only believing what the world is saying before getting to know the person and placing judgement. The U.S. has a need to learn selflessness, ignoring what society thinks about other people by making what you believe is right the new view on situations. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the narrator, Scout, is surrounded by racial intolerance as she grew up because of her father’s job as an attorney in
The main characters in To Kill a Mocking Bird Scout and Jem, learn true morals from their father Atticus Finch. Atticus is a lawyer who puts his life on the line to defend Tom Robinson whom was wrongly accused of rape because of his color and location at the time. Scout and Jem see the good in their father trying his best in amidst an evil time. Overlooking the profanity and racial themes, To Kill a Mocking Bird teaches the reader about strong morals and finding the good in trying times therefore, should remain off the banned books list. Unfortunately, in certain works the message is hidden in the profanity and offends people to the point of boycotting class until a book is removed from the curriculum. In Suzanne Pitner’s article she explains the main reason for the large banned book list proclaiming, “Usually the intentions is to protect people especially children, from controversial ideas or opinions.” (Pitner) Parents who are uncomfortable with their child seeing racial terms and sexual references are for the banning of numerous books but unfortunately work to ban the books for a majority not just their child. If a parent does not agree with the book they should be given the choice to hide it for their child not
Do you ever feel uncomfortable or embarrassed while reading aloud with your class? Many students and parents do not approve of some of the material that the English department desires to teach. Although they most definitely should, sadly , they have no choice. A novel that has started an endless amount of controversy over the years is To Kill a Mockingbird. I am going to prove to you that To Kill a Mockingbird is not a novel that should be taught in schools because it contains triggering discuss of rape, repeadetly states the n-word, and delivers gender roles.
Some believe that having strong themes like this, have a negative impact on a youths mind. These are strong and powerful themes that have a great significance in society. Think about from this perspective. Who reads to kill a mocking bird and leaves promoting rape, promoting lynching, believing racism is fair. The answer is no one. Harper Lee positioned the reader to see a serious situation through the eyes of a young girl. All she knows in life is what she’s read, what her father has told her and what those around her have said. This has positioned lee in an offensive position against the justification of these themes. Harper Lee didn’t promote rape, she addressed the problem it has on society, in order to combat it. We can’t just act like it never happened. The same way we can’t shun Anne Frank’s diary for talking about the holocaust, or the crucible for addressing witch trials. These were serious events that shaped society. If we blocked out any information of the actions of Hitler, how can we be sure another person wont follow in his footsteps. These novels don’t tell the reader what to believe, rather show them the impact events like this have on us. If student were never exposed to the impact of racism and profanity in novels like this how can we know that the next generation will not believe that white supremacy is the right thing to believe in. These books are a gateway to a better tomorrow, and aren’t taught to students because they are fun and exciting, because they certainly aren’t, but to educate the bulk of society what is morally
Miss. Gates, Scout’s third grade teacher, tries to teach Scout about prejudice through Hitler and his hate of the Jewish, but Scout notices that Miss. Gates displays prejudice in her own community against Tom Robinson and other African-Americans. When describing Hitler’s actions, she states “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.” (Lee, 329). When describing her confusion to Jem, Scout later recalls that “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us” (Lee 331). Miss. Gates’ contradiction draws parallels with that of society at the time, since she realizes the problem of prejudice, but refuses to admit that she has become prejudiced. Likewise, society recognizes the problems that African-Americans face, but is continuing to refuse to acknowledge or do anything about them. Atticus, one of the only people who recognizes the struggles that those facing prejudice live with, instructs his children that “It’s not okay to hate anybody” (Lee, 330), and tells them “I do my best to love everybody” (Lee, 144). He doesn’t want his children to be infected by the prejudice of the society they inhabit, but instead teaches them to love and respect everyone they come
Ladies and Gentlemen, P&C members and Teachers, I would like to utilise this time I have, to present my conscience and my thoughts for whether the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is appropriate or not for students to study in year 12. I am here to speak on the behalf of the students about why the book should not be banned and the vital role it plays in our lives. Atticus Finch, father of the narrator, Scout Finch says “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it.” (pg. 97) He said that when a child asks you something, answer him. You do not get any answers by banning the book. To get the answer, you have to explore the book.