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Symbolism in how to kill a mockingbird
Symbolism in to kill a mockingbird essay
To kill a mockingbird characters perspective essay
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“You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view... Until you climb inside of their skin and walk around in it.” This is one of the more powerful quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird because it speaks to how it is important to know each person’s point of view. A lack of perspective is seen multiple times throughout the novel. Scout for example, is ridiculed because she is a tomboy. Boo Radley is ostracized despite the fact that hardly anyone knows him. Tom is judged because he’s black. Harper Lee shows that one’s lack of compassion in life leads to demeaning prejudice toward others.
When Scout questions the use of the saying “nigger-lover” Atticus delivers his view on the saying and explains why he considers
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People line up outside the jail and heckle Tom, and Bob Ewell is continuously harassing Tom's wife. But yet the first thing the citizens of Maycomb do is blame Tom. In chapter 25 it says, “To Maycomb, Tom's death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw...You know how they are.” The death of Tom Robinson shows us of the tragic injustice done to Tom. The whole town was against the innocent man right from the beginning. Just because he was a black man and they couldn’t accept him as a human being of the world, he was guilty before there was a trial. The harsh reality of what Scout and Jem see brings them to maturity sooner than Atticus had wanted it to. Atticus had tried so hard to keep the ugliness from the kids, but they were thrown right in the middle of it. Jem and Scout saw first hand just how mean, hateful, and racist people can be due to a lack of compassion that leads to demeaning prejudice toward others. By the town reacting the way they did, just goes to show us what the people of Maycomb really thought of
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
To begin with, Tom Robinson is an innocent being that resembles a mockingbird because he is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. He is a black man that believes in equality. '''Yes suh. I felt sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em-''' (Lee, 209) This honest statement Tom Robinson makes is a big mistake because back in the 1900s, there was a lot of discrimination which meant black people should never feel sorry for white people. It is a sin to kill Tom Robinson because he is a harmless citizen that means no harm to anyone in Maycomb. The death of Tom Robinson was typical to many white citizens in Maycomb because if black people were ever convicte...
Tom was shot by 17 bullets for no reason, they killed him so they could prove to the others that they would chose a white man word over a black man's anyday. Likewise, mockingbirds are killed for no reason too, just for personal enjoyment. After Tom’s death, Mr. underwood writes an editorial that describes Tom’s death as the “senseless slaughter of a songbird”. This means that the innocent and warm hearted Tom was judged by the color of his skin and was misjudged by people in Maycomb, just like how the mockingbird was killed by people. Tom realizing that he’s going to be stuck in prison forever tried to make a run for it “we had such a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and prefered to take his own”. (Pg.236). Tom tried to escape just like a mockingbird that escapes from it’s cage to only be shot by men. The people in Maycomb never understood that what they did to Tom was wrong and never knew that Tom was trying to escape from his death, this can relate to the mockingbirds that get killed by people without them noticing that they mean no harm and that they’re only here to bring us happiness with their music. Tom Robinson lives like a mockingbird, he’s an innocent, kind, loving person who is destroyed by evil
One of the first lessons taught in Mockingbird is the power of understanding other people’s perspectives. Initially, Scout has trouble empathizing with other people, especially her first Grade Teacher, Miss Caroline, whom Scout becomes frustrated at for not understanding Maycomb’s complex social structure. After hearing his daughter complain, Atticus tells Scout that she'll “get along a lot better with all kinds of folks [if she] considers things from [their] point of view” (39). After ‘standing in the shoes of another person’, it is much harder to be prejudiced towards that person. Indeed, this may be because a key tenet of prejudice is disregarding the views of whoever is being judged. Nevertheless, it proves difficult for Scout to grasp this relatively simple concept, who begins to hear rumors of Boo Radley, an enigma who has not been seen outside his home for over 30 years. Thus begins Jem and Scout’s quest to make Boo Radley come outs...
Throughout the novel Harper Lee explores the racism, prejudice, and the innocence that occurs throughout the book. She shows these topics through her strong use of symbolism throughout the story.
Have you ever wondered why people see things differently from other or why they think the way they do? Harper Lee, the author of to Kill a Mocking Bird, once said, “you will never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside his his skin and walk around in it.” I believe what Lee had said is entirely true. People won’t ever fully understand what someone is going through without actually being them. Seeing through other people perspective gives us some understanding of a certain situation and helps us realize all parts of the story. When you change the way you look at thing the things you look at change.
After a long fought case, Tom Robinson was found guilty and was sent to the local jail. Tom knew he wasn't supposed to be their and tried to escape. He was shot and killed as he seeked freedom. Mr. Underwood, a newspaper writer, compared,"...Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds..." (Lee 241). There was no reason to kill Tome, he didn't harm anyone or caused any trouble. Tom was guilty because of race and the fact that whites rule this era. In this time period, the 1930's, segregation was a huge problem for colored people. It was obvious he didn't rape or do any harm to Mayella Ewell. Tom was just judge on the beliefs of all colored people being criminals and cowards. After Mayella won the court case, her father, Bob Ewell was after Jem and Scout to punish their father for defending Tom Robinson. As Scout and Jem make their way home one night, they were attacked by Bob. Lucky, Boo Radley protected the child and murdered Bob. After Scout realized Boo saved their lives, she stated, "...our neighbors image blurred with my sudden tears" (Lee 270). At that moment Scout knew she had mistaken Boo Radley her entire life. The children aren't to blame though, Maycomb judged Boo as an evil and crazy person based on uncertain stories. Boo Radley accepted the fact that many believed he was psycho, forcing to keep his life on
Prejudice is arguably the most prominent theme of the novel. It is directed towards groups and individuals in the Maycomb community. Prejudice is linked with ideas of fear superstition and injustice.
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 Harper Lee, means to harm the innocent; to hurt a person who has done nothing wrong for any certain reason. The novel coherently shows the impact of racism in a community against minorities that has been bred in the minds for years. Throughout Scout’s story, Atticus teaches his children a valuable lesson to walk in a person’s skin. There are various ways people interact and communicate to one another: sympathy and empathy. Those that are sympathetic understand the situations of others without feeling the person’s pain. Atticus particular tells Scout to put herself in someone’s skin, to become that person in their situation. Atticus teaches his children the essence of empathy and to take the form of another’s
Harper Lee introduces Scout as an insensible tomboy caught in the midst of contrite prejudicial conception. She has not yet discovered what is right and wrong due to various misconceptions that the people of Maycomb influence her with. ?Don?t say nigger, Scout. That?s common? (75). This particular quote is said by Atticus, Scout?s father, while referring to Scout?s racial ignorance towards African Americans. This quote portrays her social standing at the beginning of the novel as she tends to act ignorant by speaking with rude racial terms. ?Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand? I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough?? (92). This quote expressed by Atticus describes Scout?s mental and emotional state near the dawning of the novel. Scout is given influential lessons through the form of words on what to think therefore she is misguided by false pretenses. These ?pretenses? may be misleading, consequently Scout is basing her beliefs about prejudice on the conceptions of others instead of what Scout truly believes. Although Scout?s ...
Tom Robinson is African-American, and he is not treated the same as many other citizens in Maycomb. A mob, or as Atticus described them, “a gang of wild animals” (210), went to the jail to attempt to harm Tom, and he would have been injured if Atticus and the children had not been there to protect him. When Mayella Ewell asked Tom Robinson to “come inside the fence and bust up a chiffarobe for her” (255), he would always comply. Mayella would always “call [Tom Robinson] in” (256), and it “seemed like every time [he] passed by yonder she’d have some little somethin’ for [him] to do” (256). This shows that Tom Robinson would always be happy to help her, even it was a simple task. In addition to prejudice of race, Boo Radley had been greatly discriminated because of his social class. Jem and Scout were attacked by Bob Ewell one night, and Jem was left unconscious. Boo Radley had been “out of sight” (14) for as long as anyone could remember, but once he noticed that Jem was in trouble, he came out of his house to save him from Bob Ewell. Without the assistance of Boo Radley, the children would have been in a very dangerous situation. Even Atticus acknowledges his helpfulness when he tells him “‘Thank you for my children, Arthur’” (370). Characters without voices have to tolerate inequity are still helpful, and can be
Discrimination and Prejudice in Killing A Mocking Bird Discrimination and prejudice were very common acts in the early and middle 1900's. Prejudice in this book is displayed by the acts of hate and misunderstanding because of someone's color. People of color were the majority that were treated unfairly. During this time in the southern states, black people had to use separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, sections in restaurants, churches, and even go to separate schools. Although much of the discrimination was directed towards blacks, there were plenty of accounts towards impoverished families by those that had money.
A small city nestled in the state of Alabama, Maycomb has got its faults, just like any other place in the world, but one of its main faults or (pg.88) “Maycomb's usual disease,” as Atticus calls it in the book is prejudice. Jem and Scout learn a lot about prejudice when a black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell and their father, Atticus, is called on to be his lawyer. They realize the hate that people have buried deep within their heart when they see a black man accused of doing something only because of his color. On pg.241, Scout starts understanding this and thinks, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” As the case continues, up until the death of Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout learn more and more about prejudice and how the hate that people have towards others causes them to take wrong actions. They also see how unfair it is that a white man can get treated better and think of himself better than a black man only because he was born white. This prejudice and the trial cause Jem and Scout to get in argum...