Yet a wise man such as Atticus does not fully understand how the citizens of Maycomb can be so irrational and unjust in their prejudiced views of others. This is shown in Part one of Harper Lee’s novel as Atticus tells his brother Jack, ‘Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I will never truly understand.’ Atticus is a great influence on Scout through his actions and words, however he does not force her to act in this way. Atticus has the highest respect for everyone in Maycomb, regardless of gender, age or race. This is shown in his defence for Tom Robinson and his employment and loyalty to Calpurnia. He also demonstrates this when he explains Boo-Radley’s situation and reprimands Scout for treating a boy at her school badly because he was of lower class.
When Scout stands on the Radley porch, she suddenly realizes why Boo Radley behaves the way he does in the novel. Tom Robinson is also a character in this novel where misinterpretation takes place throughout his life. For example, during the trial Bob Ewell testifies and points to Tom and says, “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella”(Lee, 173). As a result, people visualize Tom as an evil person and believe he is responsible for the rape of Mayella. The truth is, the people of Maycomb are judgmental towards him because of his race and due to the rumors that
The novel does not solely highlight racial prejudice, through characters such as Tom Robinson, but it also illuminates the gullibility of society and how dubious figures of evidence can cause prejudice to an individual, such as Boo Radley. In the novel, Boo Radley is not accepted nor does he fit into Maycomb society because he is different from the other residents of Maycomb and due to his idiosyncrasy, he is punished by the very judgemental society of Maycomb County. In the words of Miss Stephanie Crawford, ‘One day Boo was cutting the newspaper with scissors, and when his father passed "Boo drove the scissors into his parent's leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activity". According to Stephanie Crawford’s account, Boo just sat there after stabbing his father without any confession or regrets for his actions. Similarly, there were many hollow rumours running around the county based on Boo Radley, and the majority of the residents of Maycomb decided these unjustified stories resulting in the alienation of Boo.
To Kill a Mockingbird Tom Robinson’s Trial I looked around nervously while the people of Maycomb entered the courtroom. I knew that I was innocent and Atticus as well thought that. My only worry was the word of a white man even white trash as Mr. Ewell was more credible than the word of a black. Mr. Tate the town’s sheriff was called to the stand to testify. Mr. Tate said that on the night of November 21 I raped Mayella Ewell in her house, I don’t remember what day that was because I don’t keep track and don’t have the best of memories.
Her father, Atticus Finch, plays an important part in the story by defending a black person in court. This novel presents two children growing up in a biased community, often discriminated themselves, because of their father's views. Lee portrays courage in the characters of Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley. It takes courage for Atticus Finch to go against people's beliefs in order to do what he believes was morally right. The racist views of the town are against Atticus defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, and Atticus is often discriminated against for not agreeing with them.
Racial prejudice was a way of life in the deep south of the United States in the 1930’s and it dictated what people thought, how they acted, and what they believed in. Despite efforts to initiate change, most peoples’ repugnant attitudes towards African Americans in the South remained the same. After being badgered by numerous residents, Scout asks her father, Atticus, “Do you defend niggers?” prompting Atticus to explain, “Of course I do. Don’t say nigger, Scout” (Lee, 75). Although it seems so simple, Atticus redressing Scout about using this contemptuous term is a big step in helping her understand that African Americans are human beings.
The lack of knowledge in Maycomb about the outside world and their opinions about black people ingrains ‘Maycomb’s usual disease’ into their minds as they have no other opinions about black people. This is shown by the crowd’s outrage as they gather to lynch Tom, not knowing that he was innocent, but blinded by ... ... middle of paper ... ...sirable traits to have as they can motivate you through the toughest tasks and drive you to do what should be done instead of abandon your duties. In conclusion, Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the horrible prejudice and ignorance towards black people in the southern town of Maycomb, but also shows wisdom and compassion as not only desirable but necessary traits to have to withstand the bombardment of pre-conceived ideas from the people surrounding you, and also portrays these qualities as a shield to people around
(Grisham, 2-3) In the two books To Kill A Mockingbird and A Time To Kill there are many characters that are similar to one another and also different. The character differences in the two books are, in To Kill A Mocking Bird the father, Bob Ewell father of daughter that was accusing that she was raped, is a lazy abusive drunkard and does not really take the time out of his life to deafened his own daughter. While in the book A Time To Kill the father, Carl Lee Hailey, is over protective and reacts about his daughter getting raped and even goes to the extent of putting the matter is his own hands. Also in the book To Kill A Mockingbird the man being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Tom Robinson, is a very kind black man unlike in the book A Time To Kill where the men who raped
Most people have had and irrational fear in their childhood. Jem’s and Scout’s fear appears in the rumors and their subsequent imagination of Boo Radley. They do not know anything about Boo Radley, not even what he looks like, except from what they have heard from rumors. At this point, they believe him to be a bloodstained, gross monster that will eat them if given the chance. With no one to have seen him, who can tell them otherwise?
Not only is there a strong chance that the book will bring back the use of the word Nigger, and other racist actions, but it also serves as a strong reminder to everyone, especially Americans, of a time in their country’s history that they would rather forget. However, isn’t education the key to stopping anything similar from ever happening? According to John Finch, the principal of Pasadena Middle School where some parents are pushing to ban the book, everyone is just over-reacting. “Children, young and old, are going to be exposed to racist ideas anyway, whether their parents like it or not.” “The school teaches core values that centre around equality, justice and diversity, and we have gone through a lengthy process in which we’ve talked to parents about the presence of the ‘N’ word. … We want to make sure children learn about justice and injustice, and one way to show that is to show negative and positive examples.” Ariel McSween, a 9th grade student of Pasadena School agrees with Mr Finch.