The Issue of Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Works Cited Not Included
Innocence - Children are born innocent. They learn prejudice from
society: from their parents and the adults around them.
The Mockingbird acts as a metaphor for innocence as Atticus states "
Shoot all the blue jays you want …….. but remember it's a sin to kill
a mockingbird." Pg 98
The book begins by portraying the innocence and world of play of a
tomboyish six year old girl and her ten year old brother.
At the beginning of the book Jem starts out as a playful child who was
often a companion to Scout. Later you see his personality change from
immature to mature as he grows to understand the ways of life, racism
and toleration.
In the Finch household, Calpurnia, the black housekeeper acts as a
mother figure and discipliarian towards Scout as in the scene where
Scout unknowingly insults a poor neighbour boy and Cal teaches her how
to behave. Atticus trusts Cal , relies on her support raising his
children and considers her part of the family.
While their father Atticus' motive may have been to protect their
innocence, they are abruptly brought out of their carefree world by
their fathers unpopular but courageous defense of a black man falsely
accused of raping a southern white woman. Racism dooms the accused man
Scout is unaware of the existence of racism and prejudice.
When a boy at school teases Scout about her father defending "niggers"
Scout fights him over it even though she doesn't know what it means.
In t...
... middle of paper ...
...ess
generous or who will practise unfair kinds of behavior . This relates
to Atticus' courtroom speech that there are honest and dishonest
people everywhere.
" You know the truth, the truth is this: some Negroes lie., some
Negroes are immoral, some Negro men cannot be trusted around women
black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and
to no particular race of men" pg 217
Chptr 22
Miss Maudie points out that there were a network of people working on
Tom behalf including Mr Tate the sherriff. the black community, Mr
Taylor the judge.
Even though Atticus didn't win he did manage to keep the jury out in
discussion for longer than any one else could
"We're making a step --- it's just a baby step, but it's a step"
----------------------------------------------------------------
In the beginning of the story, Jem enjoys the childish games of fantasizing about Boo Radley, taking any dare, and . Scout tells the reader that Jem becomes more and more moody as the story progresses, due to his aging. He thinks more; he shows more compassion; and he is appalled by the unfairness that rears its ugly head in his hometown. While Scout recounts the events of her childhood, the reader fails to notice that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is not a story about the narrator (Scout) maturing, it is actually about Jem maturing, and becoming an adult.
This also occurs very early in the novel: "Early one morning as we were beginning our day's play in the back yard, Jem and I heard something next door in Miss Rachel Haverford's collard patch." (11). As the novel progresses, Jem no longer plays with his sister Scout, but he is doing so at this point and he would appear to anyone as one child playing with his sister. Lastly, Jem has childhood fears like most any child does. All children have their fears or monsters.
white, figuratively and literally. It is no wonder then, that the relationships between master and slave
In the beginning of the book Jem is ten. He is innocent and is kind of oblivious to what is happening in the town. In the book Jem represents courage and how that courage is represented changes the older he gets. In the beginning Jem‘s courage is shown when is dared to touch the Radley house, he does that because he never backs down from a dare. That is the Jem‘s and the kids idea of courage. As the story continues Jem sees how courage is not the naive idea of touching the Radely house. He sees Atticus shot a mad dog and Mrs. Dubose fight with morphine addiction. Jem is made to read to her and when he asks why Atticus says: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.“
Throughout the novel Harper Lee explores the racism, prejudice, and the innocence that occurs throughout the book. She shows these topics through her strong use of symbolism throughout the story.
The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a simplistic view of life in the Deep South of America in the 1930s. An innocent but humorous stance in the story is through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch. Scout is a young adolescent who is growing up with the controversy that surrounds her fathers lawsuit. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, with the charge of raping a white girl. The lives of the characters are changed by racism and this is the force that develops during the course of the narrative.
His son, Jem, is nearly ten years old at the beginning of the book and
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, is a novel which explores the theme of challenging racial prejudice. Within this novel, Lee has portrayed unintentional racial prejudice through the characters Atticus Finch, Link Deas and Scout Finch. With these characters, and their roles in exploring the theme of racial prejudice, Harper Lee has set unintentional boundaries for readers, as result, racial prejudicial thinking from contemporary perspective, in comparison to historical views, is challenged to a small extent.
white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is marvelous and unforgettable novel. Not only show how dramatic, sad in and old town – Maycomb be like, but through her unique writings, some big conflicts about politics and critical is going on through this tired old Southern town. Not just in general like education, friendship, neighbors but also pacific in individuals like family and the people’s characteristics themselves. In one book yet can covered with such many problems, Harper Lee must have been experienced a lot and deeply understanding that time. That is why the book lives, becoming literature and get the love from the audiences a lot. One of the problem and mostly run along with the story and interest me is racism between white people and black people socially.
Racism presents itself in many ways in the town of Maycomb. Some are blatant and open, but others are more insidious. One obvious way that racism presents itself is in the result of Tom Robinson’s trial. Another apparent example is the bullying Jem and Scout had to endure as a result of Atticus’s appointment as Tom Robinson’s defense attorney. A less easily discernible case is the persecution of Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who chose to live his life in close relation with the colored community.
Despite cultures and conflicts, the fundamental bonds remain: We all belong to a common family. The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a timeless classic about coming of age in a small southern town in the 1930’s. The book follows Jem and Scout, two siblings, who must face the harsh realities of life. Hypocrisy and racism together make the two most important themes.
Jem is growing up all the time. This can be seen when he stops Scout
'Democracy,' she said. 'Does anybody have a definition?' ... 'Equal rights for all, special privileges for none' (Lee 248).