Sexism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Unban the Truth

What does killing a mockingbird mean? To many who have not had the pleasure of reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, that is just a bird. To many more who have, killing a mockingbird means preying on the helpless and the good. No great story was ever without provocative topics. Harper Lee’s historical novel To Kill a Mockingbird deals with the issue of innocents being persecuted, racism, stereotypes, and many more. Sadly, this work of art has been banned from many reading lists because of the issues it deals with. While To Kill a Mockingbird does deal with controversy, it teaches valuable lessons, and should be considered a must-read. To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless work of art that should remain on school curriculums

While it has many characters that serve as role models, it also has characters whose actions are less than honorable. In fact, the main antagonist, Bob Ewell, is extremely offensive. His crude language and actions could get the classic banned. After strutting up to the witness stand in the trial, Mr. Ewell smirkingly yells “I see that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella” (206). This demonstrates his lack of respect for both the man in question and his daughter. Mr. Ewell casually slings around words such as n***** with abandon, and puts the African American man’s actions in the crudest way possible, claiming that he was “ruttin on my Mayella”, Bob’s adult aged daughter. By calling a woman of legal age his, Bob shows no respect for anybody in question. This lack of respect for both women and African Americans is a horrible thing, and it is obvious that nobody would accept or want this behavior. It is later said in court that Bob Ewell yelled to his daughter: “You goddamned whore, I’ll kill ya” (260), implying that this case was the fault of Mayella. What this says is very powerful- he isn’t afraid to threaten people to get his way. Bob Ewell’s ways are so obscene that it’s clear why To Kill a Mockingbird is debated as school appropriate. Another reason why To Kill a Mockingbird has been removed from schools is the sexist views of most people in Maycomb county. The narrator, an

A strong theme is perseverance, shown once again through Atticus. When Scout asks her father about why he is defending a black man in a case he is sure to lose, he responds by saying “Just because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason not to try” (101). This is a loud speaking quote about Harper Lee’s views. Atticus believes that even when the outcome of a challenge has already been decided, that that isn’t a reason not to fight for a different outcome. Even when a loss is certain, a lesson is taught that you can still attempt to win. The lesson of persistence is an important one to teach, especially to middle and high schoolers. Another strong lesson in To Kill a Mockingbird is taking the path that is right, not doing what is easy. The majority of the lessons in To Kill a Mockingbird are taught by Atticus, who teaches Scout arguably some of the most important lessons of all, including doing the right thing. He tells her that “The one thing that does not abide by majority rules is a person’s conscience”, which is another theme throughout her childhood. Making your own decisions without being swayed by all of the society is a skill that everybody needs, which is best seen when Atticus takes the side of Tom Robinson. What this means is that a person cannot say that because others are doing it, they should as well without a doubt. That’s really what morals are: doubt of what