To Kill a Mockingbird - An Individual Can Make Changes in Society Kill Mockingbird essays

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To Kill a Mockingbird - An Individual Can Make Changes in Society There are defining moments in a society when one individual can shape events for generations to come. For one to change ones surroundings, and make the situation better for others is a great task. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and in today's society men try and make dents in their unjust surroundings, not only in politics but in their homes and personal lives. Men such as Atticus Finch and Jackie Robinson made actions that changed their communities and homes in suddle but memorably ways. Atticus changed the racist society of Maycomb by defending Tom Robinson in his trial. By acting as Tom's defense Atticus, an influential member of his community, is standing up for an oppressed group in his society. In the quote ." . . If I didn't take this case (Scout) then I wouldn't be able to hold my head up, I wouldn't be about to tell anyone what to do, not even you and Jem." the reader can understand that Tom's case is significant to Atticus. He knows that it will shape his community, that a serious change will be a result from the trial, and if he did not accept the trial no one else in Maycomb would help Tom and the rest of the African-Americans in the community. Atticus also changed his community by standing up against the majority and defending a man he knows is innocent. In the quote " Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told . . . and you know what the truth is" Atticus is facing a mob of his peers (Lee 148). The reader can conclude the he is willing to risk his own safety and reputation to bring justice to the trial, no matter who is in the way. Atticus shows great compassion towards the blacks and makes sacrifices by defending Tom, which is another way he helps change his community. His compassion is displayed in the quote " (Courage is) when you know you licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win but sometimes you do" (116). Atticus was going to see his case all the way through, if the result was positive or negative, under any circumstance. Atticus' choices at home, in the way he raised his children also change his society. He teaches Jem and Scout valuable lessons that help the next generation to break the cycle of discrimination. For example with the quote " 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" teaches the children not to judge a person weather they are black, white, rich, or poor, until they understand their situation. Atticus also teaches his children not to hurt or hate anything or anyone that has done nothing to provoke them. In the quote "Its a sin to kill a mockingbird . . . they do nothing but sing their heads off and bring joy to people" the reader can see Atticus' view on how unnecessary violence was, even for a bird and that violence should not be used in any situation (97). Atticus finally teaches Jem and Scout not to belittle people of a lower class or social stature. When Calpurnia says " Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' (company), and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunnigham's but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' `em" (28). The way the children were raised changes the society in which they were raised. Jackie Robinson was another man who broke the color barrier and fought for equality. Other than being the first African-American man to play in major league baseball, he was a black activist. Jackie volunteered in black right groups such as the NAACP and worked with leaders in the black community such as Martin Luther King j.r. Jackie once said that " A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" and his life is a model for this quote ( Jackie Robinson Society). For example his life inspired athletes or all colors, black activists, and people around the world to help fight for equality. Jackie said that reasons for fighting for the elimination of defacto and dejure segregation were that " I don't think that I or any other Negro, as an American citizen should not have to ask for anything that is rightfully his. We are demanding that we just be given the things that are rightfully ours and were not looking for anything else" (Jackie Robinson Society). There are defining moments where one person can shape their society, and these two men have done so. If just two men can change two communities, how many will it take to change the world? Will we never know?

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