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The effects of peer pressure on behaviour
The effects of peer pressure on behaviour
The effects of peer pressure on behaviour
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“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” is a quote from The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini that proves that no matter how long ago it was, a life judgement can affect someone for the rest of his or her life. Judgement can always be challenged throughout life. With just a single choice, the future of one’s existence can change in an instant. Tom Robinson goes through the struggle of racism in order to attempt his freedom from a crime that he did not commit. In To Kill a Mockingbird, fair judgement is clouded by racism because of predominantly white juries, peer pressure, and biased people.
One way that fair judgement was effected in To Kill a Mockingbird was
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Back in the nineteen thirties, African Americans were not given equal or fair treatment, even though legally they had equal rights. Often they would still be seen as less of a person, or not even seen as one by the racist white citizens. Because the African Americans were not treated fairly, they were not allowed to serve on the jury. They would specifically not choose blacks for jury duty. This was just plainly unfair to the defendant because usually, even though they claimed to be fair, the whites would go against the African American just because of their skin color. No matter what the law said, there was always going to be racists in Maycomb County. For example, if there was a white defendant and a white jury, they would be truly and honestly fair, but since Tom Robinson was African American and the jury was purely white, they would favor the white plaintiff over the African American even if they believed he was innocent. Back in those times, it was considered frowned upon if one were to favor an African American over a white. It was considered betrayal and social disgrace. The reader can see a clear example of this when Atticus is continuously bashed for helping the African American, Tom Robinson. He was considered an outcast in several people’s eyes because he went against …show more content…
Back in the time when this story took place, racial segregation was no stranger to the world. The whites treated the African Americans poorly just because of their skin color. Even though there were laws; the majority of people did not abide by them. It was extremely rare to find a person that was not racist in these times. Peer pressure had a big role in this because people did not want to be criticized if they tried to stick up for the African Americans. If one participated in helping the negroes, it was considered “social suicide”. Atticus Finch was a great example of someone who went against society and defended a black man. This man was completely innocent and Atticus was just doing the right thing. Peer pressure was awful in this text because of how mean people were if one did not do what society thought was right. In chapter nine Scout and her cousin had a discussion about what Francis thought of Atticus: “Francis looked at me carefully, concluded that I had been sufficiently subdued, and crooned softly, ‘Nigger Lover’...” (Lee 92). This direct passage shows the cruelty that went on when one tried to help an African American. One would be called awful names that were considered the worst possible insult in the world. All of this had to do with peer pressure. If everyone wasn't trying to just fit in, they could stand up for what is right, just as
Racial prejudice is shown greatly in this novel in Maycomb County. In the court scene in To Kill a Mockingbird there is a black section and a white section, which are segregated. The colored balcony ran along three walls of the courtroom like a second story veranda, and from it we could see everything (Lee 219). That shows an unfair segregation for the blacks because they have to sit in the balcony but the whites don’t. If a white man had committed the crime that Tom Robinson was accused of, the investigation would’ve been much more thorough. “Did you call a doctor, Sheriff?” asked Atticus. “No Sir,” said Mr. Tate (Lee 224). Just because he was a black man, they accused Tom of being guilty just because people said that he was. Although it isn’t directly related to the court scene, it is shown that there is racial prejudice when Tom runs from Mayella Ewell instead of staying so they thought him guilty for that. He would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to l...
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Racism is still an issue that can be seen in the twenty-first century. Although, tons of progress has been made over the last century, some still hold on to racist beliefs. The majority of classic American literature demonstrates the racism that was present in the early twentieth century. By looking at the theme of race in the American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is clear that people are quick to judge others based on their own opinions and feelings.
This type of discrimination made African American victims of jails and crimes that they did not even consider doing but were thought of doing because of racial segregation enforcement (popularity?) within the Southern society of the US. However, Atticus was different and believed that Tom robinson is innocent since he understood (understands?) how people discriminate others and was aware (is aware) of different types of prejudice (in that time period). So, due to Atticus’ good morals and values, he was willing to try his best to support the truth (who was
The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box”(Lee 220). This is how Atticus described the trial to his son Jem because he could not comprehend how unjust the trial was unfolding on a daily basis. The proceedings were not equitable towards Tom Robinson because everyone should have realized at the trial that he had not done anything wrong. In the end, Atticus lost the trial. Not because the jury and judge thought Tom Robinson had committed the crime, but simply because he was black and they were racist.
Racial prejudice is widespread in the county of Maycomb, and a prime example is the Tom Robinson case. Tom, a black man, was accused of raping Mayella, a white woman. Atticus puts forward all evidence from his witnesses that clearly proves Tom was innocent, Jem even says, ?and we?re gonna win Scout. I don?t see how we can?t? (pg 206), but Tom still received a ?Guilty? verdict. Atticus tried removing the prejudiced thoughts of the jurors by saying, ??the assumption - the evil assumption - that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings??. (pg 208). Atticus? saying insinuated the point that all of God?s children were created equal. To the jury, the only important thing was that Tom was black and the accuser was white, he never stood a chance under those conditions. These racial tensions between blacks and whites had made their way into the courtroom, a place where everyone should receive a fair trial no matter what race or colour, but an unjust verdict was reached. The prejudice that was felt towards Tom made him lose all hope of freedom, and as a result, he died upon an escape attempt. Tom was victim of racial prejudice and loss of hope.
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
In the novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee some characters suffer in the hands of justice and fairness more than others. Many characters in the novel are discriminated against such as Calpurnia, Dolphus Raymond, Helen Robinson, Burris Ewell and more. However I will be focusing on the discrimination against Tom Robinson for his race, Walter Cunningham for his low socioeconomic status and Boo Radley for the rumors and supposed mental instability he holds. I chose those three because they are the most prominent and I will discuss how the discrimination against the characters therefore leads to their injustice or unfairness.
Robinson had been falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus had proved that Tom was not the rapist of Ms. Ewell, yet still, the white jury had lied that he was guilty, and he was brought to jail but was later killed. In a country like America, the government is expected to be just. Yet, decisions are not made on what is right or what is wrong-they are made on what the majority wants. In this case, Tom Robinson was right, yet the majority, racist whites, wanted him guilty. In the society back then, everything of a white was greater than anything of a black. So, a white’s life, words, and actions were more important than that of a
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
Today in society we all judge one another but do we deserve to be judged? In To Kill Mockingbird, Harper Lee teaches us that people should not judge one another based on differences, because everyone is different in their own way. Throughout the story, many characters are looked down on for their skin color or economic background by others in Maycomb County. They are treated unfairly because they are not like everyone else.
A major theme from To Kill A Mockingbird is life is not always fair, and justice does not always happen. This theme is recurring throughout the whole book, and shows true aspect and troubles of the past and present.The first piece of evidence I have is when Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout after the play “Jem was lying on his back. There was an ugly mark along one side of his face. His left arm lay out from his body; his elbow was bent slightly, but in the wrong direction”(355). Bob said he would “get atticus” after he spoke against Bob’s word at the trial. When the kids were walking home from the play, Bob attempted to harm or maybe even kill Jem and Scout, he did break Jem’s arm in the act. Another more major event of injustice was when Tom
In the 1930’s racism was a big part of the south and many whites thought they were superior over blacks. Though this may not have been fair almost every white person accepted this way of the society and this is shown in many of the characters in the movie. Unfortunately a well supported case much like this one was not supported by the members of the jury leading to a rough. In the movie To Kill a Mockingbird main character Atticus Finch is given the case to defend Tom Robinson a black man. This racial discrimination is all over this movie when it comes time for Atticus to step up to the plate and defend Mr. Robinson.
During this time period, African Americans were thought of as the underclass. In this time period the white people couldn’t do wrong it always had to be the African Americans. So Tom Robinson, the African American that works for the Finch’s, gets accused of raping a white girl. Atticus Finch, the father, got appointed to fight the case. He knew that at that point in history all of the odds were stacked against him because he was fighting for a minority race of African Americans. People in town started calling them nasty names and picking on the family. Tom Robinson was actually innocent but because he was fighting against a white plaintiff and a white jury. At this time in history there are some changes going on in civil rights to promote equal rights for African Americans. Towards the end of the book the jury takes a long time to come up with an answer to the case. It took so long because they knew with the evidence they had that Tom was innocent but it just was not the right time in history to declare the colored man clear of
Nearly the whole last half of the book is about racism. The attitude of the whole town is that Tom Robinson, because he is black and,"…all Negroes lie,…all Negroes are basically immoral beings,…all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women…"(Lee 207), will be found guilty regardless of how good a case Atticus makes for him. There was substantial amount of evidence that suggests his innocence. Even the prosecution's two witnesses' stories contradicted each other. The jury did not give a guilty verdict it gave a racist verdict. Not a verdict based on fact, but a verdict based on the color of a man's skin. This is important because the author was not making this racism up; it was what it was like in those times. She is trying to show how ignorant and blind people can be just because of differences between them, as well as how society treats racial minorities.
Judgement is the act or process of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful