The themes of racism and innocence are explicit in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. There are many examples of discrimination in the story where one’s innocence is lost. Arthur Radley is isolated in his own home because of the spread of false rumors. Racism causes Tom Robinson, a black man to lose his life, even though he is innocent. Those who support blacks are judged, like Atticus, Jem and Scout. How does discrimination affect those who are innocent? In the novel, a mockingbird represents innocence; it represents Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Arthur Radley. These characters are always criticised because of some kind of discrimination, whether it be rumors, their skin colour or their character, even though they are innocent. Through the characters of Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Arthur Radley, Harper Lee demonstrates that discrimination destroys those who are innocent, which leads to character judgement, loss of life and isolation. Those who stand up for what is right are always being judged which has a negative effect on their lives. People always encourage others to stand up for their beliefs, but when someone does take a stand, they are judged. Individuals are often called harsh names, and judged even though they are innocent, just like Atticus. Mrs. Dubose is Atticus, Jem and Scout’s neighbour, who is very sick and is always insulting Atticus, who is supporting Tom Robinson in the court case. Mrs. Dubose insults Atticus by telling Jem and Scout, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 135). Atticus defends Tom Robinson because he knows Tom is not guilty, he is innocent. However, because of this Atticus is called severe things like “nigger-lover” by many people, even though he is only st... ... middle of paper ... ... colour can be innocent. Because Atticus’s support for Tom Robinson, Atticus is always castigated, not only Atticus is judged, Jem and Scout are also reprimanded. Arthur Radley, a righteous, great human being who is also judged because of the false rumors that have spread like a disease, around the town of Maycomb. The rumors lead to a ghastly consequence of Arthur being quarantined in his home. Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Arthur Radley are those who are judged even when they are innocent, innocent mockingbirds. Miss. Maudies tells Jem and Scout, “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird, (119).” Works Cited Lee, Harper. To kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central, 1960. Print.
It is a sin to kill a mockingbird, mockingbirds are innocent birds that do not do one harm thing, but makes music for ones to enjoy. Tom Robinson is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds”, he is innocent but he was falsely convicted of rape and got killed. In a court, black man had never won over a white person. Tom Robinson, a black man was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Mr. Ewell’s daughter. Atticus defends Tom Robinson because he had been appointed to defend for him, but it is also because of his morals. “Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to 'thout bein' ugly to her. I didn't wanta be ugly, I didn't wanta push her or nothing” (Lee 260). During...
One of the principal aims of To Kill a Mockingbird is to subject the narrator to a series of
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.
Racial discrimination, although not the main focus of To Kill a Mockingbird, plays a large role throughout the novel. Many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are affected by racial discrimination, whether they are the cause or not. Throughout the novel, three characters stand out as being affected by racial discrimination the most. These characters are Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson.
Helen Keller, a deaf and blind writer and lecturer describes life as “a succession of
In society, people are wrongly judged by false impressions, social status and race as well as other factors that influence the self-image of an individual. This is highly significant in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird through the characters of Arthur Radley and Tom Robinson who are innocent victims of prejudice by the people of Maycomb. The first character who represents the conception of misjudgment is Arthur Radley, who is misunderstood by others and dubbed as an intimidating person. Through the rumors being about him, it shows that he is an innocent victim because he just chooses not to associate with society, and people do not respect his way of life because it differs from theirs. The other character who represents this conception of misjudgment is Tom Robinson who is looked hatefully upon by the majority of Maycomb’s people. Through the events of his condemnation from the white community, this demonstrates Tom being as an innocent victim; his skin color defines his destiny in court. But truly, these innocent victims are kind people. The people of Maycomb are too judgmental, not understanding that Arthur Radley and Tom Robinson are truly good people; completely disregarding their real personality.
Growing up in a prejudiced environment can cause individuals to develop biased views in regard to both gender and class. This is true in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, where such prejudices are prevalent in the way of life of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. The novel is centered around the trial of a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. The narrator, a young girl named Scout, is able to get a close up view of the trial because her father is defending Tom Robinson, the defendant. The aura of the town divided by the trial reveals certain people's’ prejudices to Scout, giving her a better perspective of her world. Throughout the story, Aunt Alexandra’s behaviors indirectly teach Scout that prejudice is a disease with deep and far reaching roots.
A person's actions can greatly affect the lives of the people around them. In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is an only parent and a role model for his kids Jem and Scout. Although his choice to oppose the communities way of life has a strong affect on his family, to Atticus doing what is right means the world to him and he's willing to let his family suffer a little for what he thinks is the greater good. Atticus's choice to live a life without prejudice and racism affects the way the community looks at and treats his family; Scout is the one who is mostly affected.
A father is one who raises and nourishes his children. Kind, understanding, strict but fair, Atticus Finch is everything a father should be. Atticus is a great father to both of his children, Scout and Jem. A father's behavior influences a child's character. Scout and Jem show the tolerance and respect that Atticus has situated in them. They become curious, polite, intelligent, and giving. Atticus is a wise and intelligent man who teaches his children about life, and plays a principle role in affecting his children's futures. Atticus' role as a father is similar to one of a teacher. His children learn more things from him than anyone else in their lives. Atticus believes that it is more effective to teach his kids through example, first hand. Atticus, whom is the teacher of life to his children, emphasizes on teaching his children the importance of education, doing what is right according to one's self,with justice and equality.
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (p.90) Miss. Maudie, one of the main protagonists in To Kill a Mockingbird, warns the young girl Scout that mockingbirds should not to be killed or hunted down because they represent those who are kind and innocent. So, on a broader spectrum, the term “to kill a mockingbird” symbolizes cruel and improper behavior towards people with good hearts and intentions. In the town of Maycomb, unethical behaviors, such as prejudice and gossip, are most commonly used against the “mockingbirds”. Three of those “mockingbirds” that are featured in this novel are Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch. Due to the depiction of the mockingbird symbol in the novel, the reader understands the consequences that immoral attitudes have towards those who are innocent and kindhearted.
In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee creates an abundance of unforgettable characters as the novel progresses. Although there are many significant characters, Atticus Finch is most important and impactful. As many traits are displayed by Atticus throughout the story, it is his compassion that is most impressive.
To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during the 1930’s, a time of economic slump and despair. During this time, especially in Alabama, racism was copious. Naturally, Maycomb landed into the racist manifest. The town abhorred Atticus Finch for his acts of defending Tom Robinson. The immensity of the prejudice is so abundant, no one would dare go against what is politically correct. Unless, of course, equipped with enough moral courage. Harper Lee illustrates that Atticus is a man with an immense amount of courage and sense of justice. Atticus Finch proves to us how the defeat of prejudice is possible with moral courage. Atticus is very aware “[Tom Robinson] [will] face the chair, but not until the truth’s told” (195). Atticus refuses to allow a man, so clearly innocent, to face the chair without the unpardonable truth being told. It is prominent that black people face extreme prejudice and racism, and due to this are convicted much faster. Atticus’ moral courage to defend Tom Robinson made the decision last so long, that Judge Taylor fell “sound asleep” (280). The jury took roughly 6 hours to inescapably convict Tom guilty. The tremendous amount of time it took to convict Tom Robinson made Atticus think “ this may be the shadow of a beginning. That jury took a few hours. An inevitable verdict, maybe, but usually it takes ‘em just a few minutes” (297). Atticus states that maybe things are different, now. Maybe all the evidence against Tom being able to commit the crime was taken into consideration rather than solely the fact that he is black. Atticus’ moral courage defeated the prejudice for a short period of tim , but a period of time nonetheless. If perhaps, the jury had as much moral courage as Atticus, then they would speak up for what is true. Another instance where moral courage oversteps prejudice is when Boo Radley, the Finch’s
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells a story of discrimination. The town favored against Tom Robinson, a black man, and so they naturally believed that he assaulted Mayella Ewell. Boo Radley was also discriminated against because the children mimicked and harassed him for never leaving the house or showing his face. This book teaches many essential lessons about family, forgiveness, the history of the American South, including issues with the Jim Crow Laws and segregation, and to never be afraid to stand up for what’s right. Atticus Finch never disrespected Tom Robinson although it was unlikely for a white man to talk to a black man during that time in history. Atticus not only taught his kids life lessons throughout the book but also
...markings of an innocent childhood no longer. After Tom Robinson is shot, his murder is compared to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds”. Their hearts do nothing but sing out, making beautiful music for all to hear. This is why it is considered a sin to kill one. Jem Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley can all be seen as “mockingbirds”. They never attempt to hurt anyone, yet Tom Robinson was framed for rape, Boo Radley was unlawfully labeled as a vague recluse and the innocence of Jem Fitch was unfairly stolen due to the evil nature of society.
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the main characters: Atticus, Scout and Jem were faced with many losing battles such as Tom Robinson's case, the "mad dog incident" and Mrs. Dubose's addiction to morphine. This builds on the theme of there are things in life that won't go your way. The book takes place in the 1930's or 1940's in a small town in Alabama called Maycomb. The novel takes us through the life and perils that the main characters undergo and teach us about growing up and being mature.