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Why you shouldnt ban to kill a mockingbird
Why you shouldnt ban to kill a mockingbird
The development of racism in America
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Out of all the books I have read, To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite. When someone told me that this book has been banned in many schools, I am perplexed because it does not seem like a “harmful” book. The author of this book, Harper Lee, elaborated on real-world conflicts, and proved an important point in the storyline: despite Atticus’s efforts and capable defense, Tom Robinson is found guilty. This forces Scout and Jem upon a sad yet true understanding, which is that the morals that Atticus has taught them may not be reconciled with the evils of human nature; there is a coexistence, no matter what. The event of Tom being found guilty refers to the main lesson of the book’s title. The author explains the sinfulness in killing a mockingbird, 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
The mocking bird was important enough to be in the title of the book, giving it extra meaning and extra importance. The title To Kill a Mockingbird carries the same meaning that you should never harm something that is innocent even it is easy, and it carries throughout the story and into the trial. Although Tom Robinson was innocent but still got convicted, it shows that it was wrong to do so. In the trial, Tom Robinson would be the mockingbird and the jury would be the wielder of the gun.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper lee in 1960. The novel tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, and Tom Robinson, a black servant, accused of raping a white female. Finch defends Robinson in court arguing lack of evidence as his main point. However, the judge and jury still believe the woman’s testimony and orders Robinson to be killed. The novel has been praised for its outstanding literature since its publication. However, it remains a banned book by the American Library Association for its use of racial slurs and profanity. Due to it being banned, many high schools have reconsidered the notion of teaching it to their students. Two prominent authors wrote articles pertaining to this piece of literature: Angela Shaw-Thornburg wrote an article on her re-reading of the novel and her opinions on it; while Malcom Gladwell wrote an article comparing Atticus Finch to a state governor liberalist, James Folsom, and the restraints of liberalism in the south. In addition, Rebecca Best contributes her thought on how the novel should be taught by introducing the idea of “the other.” Regardless of the modern day political arguments surrounding this piece of literature, this novel contains a large insight into the time period of the 1960s which is an influential topic that should be taught to young high school students.
Why should this novel be banned from use in schools? Students should be able to hear these words and talk about them and not use them offensively. Racial content, tension, and slurs are used in people’s everyday lives. If people can use these words outside of school why would they not be allowed to be talked about in school? It is important for everyone to be informed about these racial tensions. This book also shows the reader what is was like to be growing up in this time period. Although this book uses the n-word, it uses it in a historical way. Using these racist words explains the way of thinking of the south in the 1930s. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is appropriate to use and read in school.
I personally believe that the story, To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned in schools, and the story should be allowed in students’ curriculum. The first reason to why I believe this to be true would be the fact that it allows students the opportunity to learn about human mistakes and how to be better people in the future. A second reason would be that students are able to learn important parts of our history within the book. It also teaches students important morals that may be hard to teach without the context of a book such as this one.
Jill McCorkle's Ferris Beach, a contemporary novel, shares numerous characteristics with Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel written in the 1960's. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, McCorkle's novel documents the life of a young girl in a small southern town. The two narrators, Kate Burns and Scout Finch, endure difficult encounters. A study of these main characters reveals the parallels and differences of the two novels. Jill McCorkle duplicates character similarities and rape from Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird to show the reader how young girls think and develop.
“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” The book To Kill A Mockingbird by the author Harper Lee is about a tired little town in Alabama called Maycomb set back in the 1930’s. Atticus, father of Jem and Scout is the same man on the street and at his house. He is very respectful and honest. Atticus gets appointed to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man who was accused by Bob Ewell for raping his daughter, Mayella. Even though there are several pieces of evidence that show Tom is innocent, Atticus knows he will not win, but that is no reason for him not to try. It makes sense for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he believes
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...
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a heartbreaking, timeless novel that examines stereotyping and its consequences. The novel shadows Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer, as he defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman in racist Maycomb, Alabama. Frequently, To Kill a Mockingbird has been banned for use in many schools because of the racial content in it. In the novel, racial tension and slurs are used frequently. Although the novel does contain these things, To Kill a Mockingbird should definitely be taught in schools because it represents accurately what it was like before blacks received their civil right, it teaches valuable life lessons, and it shows how novels like To Kill a Mockingbird helped the civil rights movement.
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.
...too, have the right to freely express themselves and receive information. Therefore, minors have the right to read any materials in which they desire. By banning The Catcher In the Rye, and novels of the like, the rights of U.S. citizens are restricted.
“Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). That’s what Atticus says to Jem and Scout when they want to kill birds with their new rifle guns. To Kill A Mockingbird is an excellent novel with a plethora of deep, powerful messages and themes found within the story. One theme that was especially dominant was the idea of gossip and innocence. This theme is recurrent throughout the entire novel. A symbol that aids the theme is the mockingbird, ironically found in the title of the book. Harper Lee used a variety of quotes and the mockingbird symbol to demonstrate how gossip can control a group of people (the town) and destroy the innocence found within people.
[he] live[s] like [he] do[es] because that's the way [he] want[s] to live. " (Lee 203). Another person affected by this is Atticus. He is portrayed as a "nigger lover," something not acceptable in Maycomb. Something that prompts Scout to fight anyone calls her father that to her face. "Boo" Radley's case is much worse. This calm, gentle person is the subject of many rumors that have destroyed his reputation. The nuts over the fence is even less likely. All these characters in the book are eventually cleared of false rumors. Scout and Dill find out that Dolphus Raymond is conscious of his choice to live with blacks and have mixed children, even though they are exiled by both black and white people. His drunkenness was just a play to make it easier for others to comprehend. After basically proving Tom's innocence, even though the verdict was guilty, Atticus was shown to have respect for blacks but he was not a "nigger lover". He was more of a "Negro respecter. " Boo Radley is found to be completely different than thought. To Kill A Mockingbird has many important messages that can be taken from it. This is what causes the novel to endure. That is the reason this novel is a "classic" not just because it is a good story and has good characters. One can take something from it that many other novels do not have, real life & nbsp;
Tom Robinson’s trial, and in fact his entire life, was badly affected by racism. It is truly a testament to the corruption of society when a person who has earned a bad reputation is held in higher esteem than a person who was born with it, as is the case with Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson. Even though Tom was obviously honest in his testament, the jury sided with Bob Ewell because he was white. They made this decision despite the fact that the Ewell family was widely known to be a worthless part of society. Jem, not being racially prejudiced, could not understand this mentality. As Atticus pointed out, “If you (Jem) had been on the jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man.”
In the court, the director leaves out the systemic racism that Harper Lee claims is the reason Tom Robinson is convicted of rape (Dave). The racist community, and mob of white men, make up the deciding factor of the court. However, for someone watching the movie it would not be understood that the hatred expressed expressed towards Atticus is for supporting a black man ("Overview: To Kill a Mockingbird"). The only reason Tom loses the case is because he is black and the movie underplays this as the reason. More than half of the movie is seen at the trial which left little time for the audience to build the idea that the novel builds up. This is the injustice do to racial matters, that is skimmed over and left to the viewers to determine their own opinions (Smykowski). The movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird ignores that racism is the reason Tom Robinson is
Tom Robinson, a black man in To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the main characters in