Harper Lee deftly weaves plot in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird by inserting the overarching theme of moral conviction and development, as well as spindling in symbolism, to construct the conflicting moral views present in her brilliant tapestry that is To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the novel, the reader sees Atticus Finch standing tall and firma as the novel’s moral backbone- rooted deeply in his moral convictions and willing to subject himself and his family to scrutiny to protect innocence. His foil, Bob Ewell, quickly asserts himself as the symbol for decay, routinely diving deeper into his pit of moral filth. Observing the tumult is Scout, Atticus’ young daughter who is experiencing the Tom Robinson case as a young child in her formative developmental years. We see her ‘come of age’ slightly as she begins to develop a moral conscience of her own. Not coincidentally, each character has influence and is influenced by others, resulting in a complex drapery of moral decisions and development.
In Lee’s creation, the reader automatically recognizes Atticus as the moral figure in the novel, guided by convictions and beliefs to which he holds firm. Atticus in a wise man and an excellent lawyer, as well as a compassionate father dedicated to instilling wisdom in his children Jem and Scout. He believes that Tom Robinson deserves proper representation in court and is willing to subject himself and his family to the town’s judgment rather than let an innocent man be killed. Perhaps he views Tom Robinson as a “mockingbird”, a piece of innocence left in the world. After stating earlier in the novel that he considers it a sin to kill mockingbirds, Atticus now devotes himself to protecting Tom’s rights and his innocence. The m...
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...sent when the wrong path is taken. Scout symbolizes the choices made along the way; a “mockingbird” of innocence, Scout’s observation of the tumultuous times leads her to move past preconceived social divisions and into a brighter world of nonconformity- she learns the beauty and truth in seeing who a person truly is, and not making blind judgments. In To Kill a Mockingbird, we see examples of the two kingdoms that are warring- the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness. The Kingdom of Light will win, and the King will call home all of those who follow Him and who obey His Words and Commands. Those fail to do so fall into the depraved world of darkness. How can we be drawn into the Kingdom of Light? By accepting Jesus Christ, the King, as our Lord and Savior, and obeying and seeking Him in all things. Then, and only then, shall we be welcomed in to the Light.
During our lives, we develop morals and values through life experiences. They can be influenced by our society and the people we surround ourselves with. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates courage, social inequality and prejudice through the characters and events in the book. We experience life lessons through the protagonist Scout Finch as she develops her own values. This is displayed through a variety of life lessons and values throughout the novel.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Alabama in the 1930s, and concerns itself primarily with the interrelated themes of prejudice and empathy. These themes are explored as the story follows Scout Finch as she learns lessons in empathy, ultimately rejecting prejudice. While all characters in Lee’s novel learn from their experiences, not all are able to grow in the same manner as Scout. The idea of a positive role model, typified by the character of Atticus Finch, and the ramifications of its absence, is a concept that Lee places much emphasis on. The isolated setting is also pivotal in the development of characters. Lee uses the contrast between characters that learn lessons in empathy and compassion, and characters that cling to the ideals of a small town, to explore factors that nurture or diminish prejudice.
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, most of the younger characters show growth throughout the book and Scout Finch showed the most growth in becoming mature. If it weren’t for her family, acquaintances, and people she saw regularly every day, her personality and growth would have been extremely different. The people that lived in the town of Maycomb had the biggest impact on how Scout grew up and became the person she was.
When most people were against him and are trying to convince him not to, Atticus was determined to continue defending Tom Robinson (an African American who was accused of raping a white lady name Mayella Ewell - Mr. Ewell's daughter). (Make it active voice ?) Due to his good morals, Atticus felt like he needs to help Tom Robinson “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience --- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (108). As addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim Crow laws manipulated individuals ethics to think that blaming African Americans is fine since all they do is not good (change the wordings). 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 right or something) and help Tom Robinson which makes him a great parent because (he is a person of morals?) of his good morals and values (delete morals and values?). Atticus (atticus’s ?) belief (of noting using one’s power to hurt each other … ?) that people should not harm each other should be admired. For instance, Miss Maudie (Atticus neighbour) was confirming to Scout that what Atticus said about Mockingbirds is right “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...
“ Don’t judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.” (Creech, pg.51) This quote describes the society of today and of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” There are many cases of unjust judging and unfairness in this story as it takes in Maycomb County, Alabama, which was not ideal for anyone other than a successful white male. This story follows a young tomboy named Scout Finch as she grows up in this prejudiced town where along the way a young black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman, and it just so happens he Father is defending him. While “To Kill a Mockingbird” shows the ugliness that can come from judging others, its ultimate message is that great good can result when one defers judgment until considering
“The battle line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.” This quote by Aleksander Solzhenitsyn embodies the most important theme displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee’s historical fiction is set during the Great Depression and follows the life of a young girl named Scout Finch and her brother Jem as they grow up and learn the ways of the world. Two of the novels other main characters are used throughout to illustrate this idea of good vs. evil. The contrast between Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell is used to explore the morality of human beings and poses the question: “Are people naturally good or naturally evil?”
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.
Lee illustrates Atticus Finch as a very understanding character, especially during the Tom Robinson trial. During the revolting times of the 1930s, it was outlandish for a white man to stand up for a Negro man. For example, when the towns’ people are talking about Atticus, they say, “You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.” “Yeah, Atticus aims to defend him, that’s what is don’t like about it” (218). When Atticus is delegated to defend Tom Robinson, he not only defends him because he was ordered to. Atticus intentionally helped Tom and wanted Tom to win. Even though the towns’ people did not like Atticus aiming to defend Tom, he understood that it was his duty to help him. Another example is in chapter 22 when Bob Ewell spits on Atticus’s face. Atticus didn’t react intrusive because he knew that it would affect people’s outlook on the trial and on Tom. Atticus stood above the standard and helped a black man, which earned him respect from the Negro people in town. Atticus was very wholehearted when deciding to help Tom Robinson in the trial.
There comes a point in a teenager’s life when their parents expect them to do the right thing - whether that is doing homework without being reminded, choosing to snack on an apple instead of a candy bar, or even conforming to their mom and dad’s societal views. Not doing homework or not choosing that apple is usually not grounds for serious punishment, but choosing a different religion or point of view can be another issue. Adults may even consider a non-conforming teen to be rebellious, because that child did not choose the “correct” option, which is merely the adult's inclination. If a child grew up in a racist town and wanted to treat everyone equally, is that considered rebellious or is that simply what a decent person does? It may be the ethical thing to do; it may not be what’s considered ordinary in that society. Scout, an intelligent tomboy, Boo Radley, a kind-hearted man and Tom Robinson, a gentle figure who all belong in Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" faced the same dilemma. They didn’t see eye-to-eye with their parental figures or even the town of Maycomb. Yet they chose to be ethical, which may not be the conventional way, but certainly didn't cause any harm. In the book, Scout, Boo, and Tom Robinson, combat the evil ways of their environment while maintaining their morality and innocence.
Black and white, right and wrong; do decisions that simple and clear even exist? Does a decision ever mean gaining everything without giving anything up? Many characters in To Kill A Mockingbird are forced to make difficult, heart wrenching decisions that have no clear right answer. Harper Lee presents many of these important decisions in To Kill A Mockingbird as ethical dilemmas, or situations that require a choice between two difficult alternatives. Both of these alternatives have unpleasant aspects and question morals and ethics. A person is put in an awkward position, with their mind saying contradicting things. These dilemmas are presented in many different ways. The decisions in the beginning of the book are simple and can be solved quite easily, yet they are symbolic of later decisions. Other dilemmas place adult-like decisions in the lap of a child. One dilemma concerned a man burdened with the strict traditions of the South. Then there are the two biggest dilemmas, Atticus' decision to take the case and Heck Tate's choice between truth and the emotional well being of a man. Lee's ingenious storyline is established by these crucial and mentally arduous choices faced by the characters.
Throughout life individuals face challenges and situations testing their values, morals, and ethics. The captivating novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper lee shows millions of readers numerous life lessons throughout the course of the novel. Lessons that can be learned from this novel include not judging anyone before you put yourself in their position, do not harm the innocent, and think for yourself even if you are going to be ridiculed for your choices.
Throughout society, the values and messages of your families are often hammered into you and those values are reflected by your attitudes. In your household the ways in which you reflect upon those values and beliefs are shared within the common community of that family; and represents the ways in which you would give rise to those values and beliefs. However, these values held within and outside your community may not be a common reflection of your own morals. So, how should you develop your own morals? In the book To Kill a MockingBird by Harper Lee, Scout realizes the importance of the lessons she learns throughout the two years of life and how they shaped her personality in years to come. Scout actively learns the values taught to her
In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the protagonist Scout faces offenses by others because of her father's justice for defending an African American in court. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, in the sleepy town of Maycomb during the Great Depression. As Atticus, the father of the protagonist faces the moral dilemma in chapter 29-30 of the incident with Bob Ewell. Atticus moral dilemma reveals his character and beliefs. Bob Ewell attempted to hurt Atticus children in order to get revenge on Atticus for defending the African American who was accused of raping his daughter in court.