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
Some people think that harper lee’s to kill a mockingbird should not be taught in schools for example malcolm gladwell a journalist says he wishes that the author had made finch(referring to atticus) a man sufficiently outraged by racial injustice to seek systemic change, rather
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.
Imagine yourself doing something that was completely unspeakable of in your society. Now, what if I told you it was something that came down to a concept as simple as black and white? Racial injustice is the biggest problem that is faced throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch was put on the spot many times and during these many occurrences we see his moral and ethically inclined personality show. For this reason, Atticus is indeed a hero to a modern audience because he demonstrates an approach to situations that would better society. Not only does he expresses this through sticking to his conscience and morals; but Atticus also shows courage and puts himself and his reputation at risk in order to accomplish the results he wants to achieve.
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.
Over the decades a lot in the world has changed. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and the movie Freedom Writers by Richard LaGravenese. Tell the stories about how one ethnic group rules over the other nationalities. Making it known that they have more power. This resulted from segregation because of their colored skin. They both have different situations. The “FreeWriters” is about a classroom full of kids who have poor situations, and have to defend for their lives because of their nationalities. Their teacher inspires and teaches them respect, that they all can make it in life, and that they're all equal no matter what anyone says.It was a real story taken place in La, California in the 1990s. The book “To Kill A Mockingbird” is about between whites and blacks. It takes place in Maycomb, Alabama back in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This book is fiction but based on reality.
Many classic books discuss the problems of racism, but have been challenged or banned throughout the years. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned from numerous schools because it “psychological damage to the positive integration process" and "represents institutionalized racism under the guise of good literature." To Kill a Mockingbird discusses the mistreatment of a black man wrongfully accused of a crime, reflecting real events that have happened in American history. Banning this bo...
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
“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
Tom Robinson, a black man in To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the main characters in
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, a black man is wrongfully convicted due to racism. In Macomb which is a small town in southern Alabama Scout and Jem Finch spend their days trying to find out who the mysterious Boo Radley is. When their dad Atticus which is a lawyer gets assigned Tom Robinsons case. Who is a black man accused of beating and raping Mayela Ewell. Throughout the story Jem and scout learn you shouldn’t judge someone until you walk around in their skin.
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.
According to FiveThirtyEight.com To Kill A Mockingbird is the most read fiction book in schools teaching ninth and tenth grades in American schools. Except more and more schools are banning the book by Harper Lee. I don’t get why schools are banning the book because it teaches us about the truth of the past. Although some of the past is gruesome it’s the truth and I don’t see why parents are complaining about the racism that is evident in the book. In fact, the purpose of this essay is to prove that this book should stay in schools for more reasons than one.
The school board claimed that the book’s theme of rape was “immoral” and removed the book from county schools. Unlike future complaints, this challenge not because race, but because the plot centered on rape (Selk). Residents in the town complained and wrote letters to local papers, and Harper Lee even wrote a letter to the Richmond News Leader saying: “Recently I have received echoes down this way of the Hanover County School Board’s activities, and what I’ve heard makes me wonder if any of its members can read” (Little). She continues to write, “To Kill a Mockingbird spells out in words of seldom more than two syllables a code of honor and conduct, Christian in its ethic, that is the heritage of all Southerners” (Selk). “Lee also included a ten dollar donation with her letter (Selk). After all of the complaints the board changed their minds and allowed the book back in the schools. All throughout the 1970s and 1980s, “school boards and parents continued to challenge the book for its “filthy” or “trashy” content and racial slurs” (Little). Instead of trying to remove the book from school libraries, attempts were made to try and remove it from school curriculums
I, Jeremiah Finch, believe that everyone, no matter what their color, should receive justice and equal rights in court. Like Atticus says, every man should be equal at least in court, every man deserves a fair trial where his word will be believed to be as good as any others. Tom Robinson did not receive a fair trial. The no good jury decided to believe the lies of the white trash Ewells who are disgraces to Maycomb. The trial wasn’t based off of justice, evidence, an’ truth, it was based off of color. Good righteous judges and lawyers sho’ should be able to make up for the worthless men on the jury. I told all this to Miss Maudie one day after the trial, while Scout, me, and Dill was eating her famous Lane Cake. Black men just aren’t treated the same as white men down here, and I know it