Tolerance is the willingness to accept something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. Why do people mistreat others; how do societies form despite differences? Tolerance is a major theme in Collection 1, especially in the text “Texas v. Johnson” by William J. Brennan, “The American Flag Stands for Tolerance” by Ronald J. Allen and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this collection,Ourselves and Others, tolerance is viewed as the allowance of something that is usually what one doesn’t agree with and shows it in a society where people have a high tolerance and others have near none, for better or for worse. In “Texas v. Johnson”, William Brennan talks about “national unity” and how One of the most tolerant characters in this book is Atticus Finch, the father of the narrator Scout and her older brother Jem. Atticus is a respected man in the community of Maycomb and also works in law as a lawyer which is comparable to Brennan who was a judge and wrote the court opinion “Texas v. Johnson.” Another character in the book, Mrs. Dubose, has a nasty nature and insults both Atticus and his children when they walk by but he still sees her as an amazing person and even went as far as to call her “the bravest person [he] ever knew” (Lee 128) because behind the insults was a person struggling with addiction and working to fight it. Atticus knew this and he treated her with respect and was tolerant to her merciless opinions of him which makes his character one of the most tolerant of the community and that is why he is so respected by most of the people there. A few pages prior to calling Mrs. Dubose the “bravest person” one page 120 he was talking to Scout about others opinions and how they believe themselves to be right and Atticus to be wrong. In reply he says “they're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before [he] can live with other folks [he’s] got to live with [himself]. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience” (Lee) expressing his tolerance for others and respecting their ideas and opinions of him and his ideas in the most intellectual and peaceful way possible. Atticus also shows that he believes that looking back on one’s life, they must see if their decisions reveal a person that they are proud to
He strives to give Scout and Jem spirit, bravery and tolerance to others. "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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" (30). He teaches this life lesson to show that it's actually achievable to live with principles without losing sight of hope or acting skeptical. Atticus is able to highly regard Mrs. Dubose's courage even though he disapproves of her continuous acts of racism.
This part of the book takes place when Scout,the youngest of Atticus’s children, has come back from her first day of school and the teacher wants her to stop learning to read and write. She was talking to Atticus on the porch and he said, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-..” (33). Atticus reveals that he is respectful due to the way that he is unbiased to other people. Atticus is telling this to Scout because he wants his children to do the same and be open-minded to everyone she encounters. Atticus is respectful because of his unbiased view of people in Maycomb county and of people in the world.
To begin with, according to the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, accepting those who are “different from ourselves” is to be more understanding of the differences in others. In the novel, Mr. Raymond, tries to
Actions of persecution and aversion are the result of society’s values. Many are accustomed to society’s beliefs. In Maycomb, they follow
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It is set in the 1930s, a time when racism was very prominent. Harper Lee emphasizes the themes of prejudice and tolerance in her novel through the use of her characters and their interactions within the Maycomb community. The narrator of the story, Scout, comes across many people and situations with prejudice and tolerance, as her father defends a black man.
Do you not believe we need more compassion and tolerance in the world? Why can we not be like Atticus, Jem or Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee? These characters show great compassion and tolerance throughout the novel despite the society they live in. They have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
People are responsible for acting according to their conscience. The justice system was created in order to be our aid in making moral and ethical decisions, but when the Justice system fails, we should still be able to follow our conscience to make the right the decision. In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” one of the characters, Atticus Finch, helps not only characters in the book, but the readers, understand that the legal system does not always serve justice, in fact, the legal system only is as moral and just as the community it serves. In the town of Maycomb, just like many towns in the American south during the 1930s, racism as a personal feeling and racism as a cultural, legal, and economic institution are practically one
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
Towards the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus decides to represent a colored man by the man of Tom Robinson, who is being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter. Atticus believes that Tom is innocent, but he does not think that Tom will be found not guilty because of they way the townsfolk treat colored people. They treat them like dirt; like they are worth nothing. Atticus went ahead and represented Tom despite the fact that he knew the townsfolk would call himself and his children names and treat them disrespectfully. Even Scout’s relative Francis said rude things about them. “‘I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family-...’ ‘Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'.’” Atticus set a good example for Scout and Jem. He had a difficult decision to make, but he chose what he thought was
Atticus must live with himself before he can live with others. In the novel, Atticus even says, "Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." This clearly illustrates how Atticus must do what he thinks is right because he can only live for himself and not others. Atticus demostrates this when he refuses to treat African Americans with disrespect, as many other people in Maycomb do. Atticus treats them as he treats everyone and how he wuold like to be treated. Atticus should defend Tom Robinson because he prides himself on his following the Golden Rule, and if he does not defend Tom Robinson, he could not live with himself. Atticus tells Scout he would not be able to show his face in town if he does not defend Mr. Robinson because he would be going against everything he believes in for what others what him to do. The people of Maycomb trust Atticus to stand up for what is right when no one else has the courage. Miss Maudie says, "Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying the highest t...
He is the one everyone looks up to and can turn to in their time of need; he is well regarded and respected throughout the county. Later Atticus sacrifices his reputation to help an innocent man and everyone turns their back on him. On page 100, when Scout asks Atticus why he is defending Tom Robbinson, he responds by saying “If I didn’t, I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” Atticus does this simply because it is his job and the right thing to do. As mentioned earlier, when the head of the family is labeled a certain way, the whole family is destined to have that label on their name. Atticus isn’t just sacrificing his own reputation, he is sacrificing his family’s reputation. Throughout the story Scout stubbornly defends the family and her father. As the trial moves forward Atticus tells her “You might here some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you.” Scout is seen as the girl who throws punches first for the family, but she cannot do that anymore as told by Atticus and has to sacrifice her own reputation as well. At the end the family is going to be seen as outcast, for example, Francis says “We’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again.” Thus the
Throughout time society has been tested many a time. The tests of society are those which show the development of a society’s culture, morals and value system. The recent events of Maycomb have shown it has not developed or flourished but that with the death of my dear husband, Tom, it has failed miserably. Justice, although bittersweet, is the pie that society has been given the duty to serve. The once-solid pillars of fairness and humanity upon which our society was built are crumbling. The trials and tribulations of Tom Robinson have not only led me to lose faith in justice, fairness and humanity but removed my veil of ignorance and shown me the ignorant “whites” have the power to kill even the sweetest of mockingbirds.
How would you like it if someone walked up to you and berated you based on the color of your skin? A characteristic like that isn’t even something you can control, so an insult of that nature can leave one furious and oppressed. Discrimination is inevitable in any culture, throughout history, in modern times, and even in ancient times. For example, the oppression and murder of 6 million Jewish people during the Holocaust, the African Slave Trade which occurred for multiple centuries, and more recently, the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya people in Myanmar, brought on by the government of the Asian nation, all of which are tragedies doomed to happen when history repeats itself and people do not learn
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.