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How harper lee comments on racism to kill a mockingbird
Racial discrimination essay examples
How the theme of racism develops on to kill a mockingbird
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Racism is a belief or doctrine usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has a right to rule others. In today’s society, there is still an issue of racial discrimination that occurs when people treat others differently because of their skin color or ethnicity. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, racism in the southern states of America is very prominent as the townspeople struggle to overcome the effects of the Great Depression. Through the trial of Tom Robinson and a solid description of how the people in Maycomb view African-Americans, the audience can infer that there is a fine line separating the white people from the colored people in the mid 1930s. The trial of Tom Robinson, an African-American, is one of the …show more content…
This proves to the reader that Mayella is not telling the truth because if she is charging Tom for rape, she would not easily forget what happened. As Atticus questions her about why her loud screams did not perk the children’s interest, Mayella stayed silent and is inarticulate. Her silence gives the audience enough information to infer that Mayella either was not screaming as loud as she says she did, or she is not telling the truth. Based on her previous statements, it is most likely to the audience of Maycomb and to the readers that she is lying to save whatever dignity and self-respect that she has left. Throughout Tom’s testimony, Atticus gave many obvious evidences as to why Tom Robinson would not be able to rape Mayella Ewell such as how Tom took “the oath with the only good hand he possesses--his right hand” (204). This phrase lets the reader refer back to when Atticus was cross-examining Mr. Heck Tate as he testifies that Mayella was beaten on the right side of her face which means that the person who beat Mayella would have to be left-handed. However, Tom’s left arm got “caught in the cotton gin when he was a boy… like to bled to death… tore all the muscles loose from his bones--” (186). This quote clearly explains to the reader why his left arm
The theme of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird is the existence of racism and prejudice in the 1930 – 40's. Harper Lee succeeds in presenting the topic in a manner that is not overly simplistic and thus achieves the task of allowing the reader to fully appreciate the complex nature of unjust discrimination. Harper Lee's inclusion of characters such as Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, Dolphus Raymond and many others, aid the reader to grasp the concept of racism and its central role in the town of Maycomb.
Mayella may be white, but in her role as a female, it just goes downhill from that. Although it is different from Tom Robinson's point of view. Atticus delivers his closing argument after proving that Bob Ewell is left-handed and Tom Robinson is not able to use his left hand. ‘“.What did her father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.’”.
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.
Racism is a problem today, in history and most especially in the 1930’s. In the “coming of age” novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee there is a theme of racism and prejudice achieved through the use of the literary elements of foreshadowing, symbolism and dialect which is used to convey the message that people will lie to cover up their wrongs and you don’t know someone until you, “climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
Throughout the entire trial, Atticus revealed that the Ewells were attempting to hide the fact that Mayella Ewell attempted to seduce Tom. Her father Bob Ewell then proceeded to beat her. The only way to cover up their shames was by accusing Tom Robinson of rape and perjuring against him in court. There was no possible way that Tom could have beaten Mayella on her right side because Tom has a paralyzed right arm and was right-handed. Bob Ewell, on the other hand, was left-handed with a short fuse.
Although not entirely good, Mayella is more a victim of circumstance than a bad person
“...Mayella’s recital had given her confidence, but it was not her father’s brash kind: there was something stealthy about hers, like a steady-eyed cat with a twitchy tail” (Lee, 242). In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson was a black 25-year-old man. Mayella Ewell is a white nineteen-year-old female whose family was at the bottom of the social class and everyone in the town disliked them. She accused Tom Robinson of raping her in her own home causing the case to go to court. Atticus Finch defended Tom in court because he knew Tom’s trial would be acquittal which they could have won the case, but Tom was shot seventeen times in jail. In the trial Atticus Finch’s children Scout and Jem learn their opinion on how racist
The events you hear about racism around the world has gotten to the point where the controversies have gone to a further extent. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, racism has show up upon the trial of Tom Robinson when he was convicted of an act of violence that never happened. Characters in the book like Aunt Alexandra followed the racism tradition in her town but soon believes that blacks are just as equal as whites. Even though Aunt Alexandra is initially a racist person, once she hears about the gruesome death of Tom Robinson, she begins to realize the graciousness of the blacks in Maycomb County, and becomes more benevolent towards those who are persecuted.
All of this information tells us that she did lie but why? I have analyzed this answer and now I will tell you why think that she lied. First, she lied because a woman trying to tempt a black man, especially with kids, is a disgrace to the town. If the town would have found out, she would never be able to set foot in the town again because of the unwritten rules back in the nineteen hundreds. The second reason that Mayella lied was that if she told the truth she would have probably been hurt by her dad who beat her when he saw her with Tom Robinson. In the book even Atticus said, “so if spitting in my face saved Mayella one extra beating, that’s something I would gladly take” (Lee 292). The only way for her to wipe the slate clean is to get rid of Tom Robinson. If she does not she will face unbearable shame from the town and from her family. This would bring an extra to the Ewell name that Mr. Ewell would never allow and he already hit her so just imagine what he would do to her if Tom as free to tell his story. As you can see the Ewells are a cheating, lying, and deceitful familly that will do anything, even lie under oath to get rid of a
There is no doubt that Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a famous novel known for its themes, most of them containing wise life lessons, racial inequality being an obvious and important one. Firstly, racism illustrates the lack of justice and people’s views on prejudice in Tom Robinson’s case. Secondly, the novel touches base on diction notably the racial slurs used. Finally, with racism being a theme of the novel, it affects the characters’ personalities. Harper Lee uses life lessons, diction and characters throughout the novel because it develops the main theme of racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.
“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.
This is because she purposely put Tom’s death on the line by accusing him of raping her. In reality, this isn't the case because Tom was the one who decided to end his own life. Plus, if Mayella's father were to financially contribute and help around the house, Mayella wouldn't have been so busy to the point where she lived in zero social contact with people her age. Mayella wouldn't have to accuse a social lower class, like Tom, if she had a friend or a significant other. Instead, she was desperate and lonely; it was difficult for her to control her sexual temptation and desire to kiss someone. In Atticus’ speech, he talks about how Mayella broke a certain code in the racist society that they were living in. “She knew full well the enormity of her offense,but because her desires were stronger than the code she was breaking, she persisted in breaking it.”(272) The reason why it's hard to withdraw from this kind of desire is because sex is part of human nature and it’s completely fine for a human being to be sexually attracted to another being. Tom Robinson was the only person whom she was acquainted and familiar with— besides her family; he was the only one Mayella was sexually aroused with. Putting the blame on her would be an immoral thing to do since she has dreadfully suffered through many evil and heartbreaking
Today, racism is a problematic situation that can break nation apart. Discrimination on one’s personal characteristics can sway a community's opinion greatly. Harper Lee was indulged in numerous racist encounters in her life, many of which transpire into her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In the novel, one is seen as an animal when enduring the venom of racism. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, racism leads to the dehumanization of both the victims and the infectors.
Throughout the novel, Bob Ewell is profusely illustrated as an abrasive, abusive, and generally unpleasant man who hasn’t a care for his children. As Tom says when describing why he would help Mayella: “Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her much” (263) . In addition, Bob Ewell plays a major role as to why Mayella lies in court, in fact he makes her do so. To cover up for his own crime he says that Tom Robinson was “ruttin' on my Mayella!" (231) . The most substantive and saddening display of Mr. Ewell’s character is when Tom directly reveals the abuse taking place. In his testimony, Tom explains that his accuser threatens Mayella after seeing the two of them together (263). Even if Mayella was able to overcome the social repercussions of telling the truth, she would face the tragic domestic abuse that her father is evidently capable of. Like striving towards acceptance, resisting oppression is another example of human instinct. As following instinct is by definition natural, one must have sympathy for Mayella
Mayella’s emotions gave away that she was lying during the trial. When Mayella was called to the stage, she said to Atticus "I got somethin' to say an' then I ain't gonna say no more. That nigger yonder took advantage of me an' if you fine fancy gentlemen don't wanta do nothin' about it then you're all yellow stinkin' cowards, stinkin' cowards, the lot of you. Your fancy airs don't come to nothin'—your ma'amin' and Miss Mayellerin' don't come to nothin', Mr. Finch-". If Mayella Ewell was really innocent, she wouldn’t have been as dramatic as she was while pleading her case. Mayella most likely would have told the truth with no wavering emotions. When Mayella was called to the stand she did this, “‘Him,’ she said, pointing at Atticus.” Mayella was afraid of Atticus during the trial because of the way he got her father, Bob Ewell, to give vital information to Tom’s benefit. She would not have been afraid of Atticus if she hadn’t known he could get the truth out of her, too. If Mayella had remained calm during the trial, she might have seemed a lot less guilty.