His responsibility was all based on the color of his skin, not his true moral character. Opposite of the Deep South's beliefs of colored men at this time, Harper Lee portrays Tom as a friendly and humble man, who took time out of his day to help people - people who were neglected (even though white) like Mayella. Lee's portrayal of this outstanding character and his outstanding human character epitomize his representation as a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains to young Scout Finch that, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.
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
He tells her that “ white men cheat black men everyday of your life...whenever a white man does that...no matter who he is, that white man is trash” ( Lee 233 ). This shows that Atticus is being firm in what he believes, and is staying loyal to his good morals. Last, Atticus works hard, and acts diligently while defending Tom Robbinson. “ Atticus has used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robbinson” ( Lee 244 ). This shows that Atticus's actions of putting himself in the shoes of Tom Robbinson and showing care for what he does, despite what others think, lead to human nature being mostly good.
Secretly Miss Finch, I’m not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live” (Lee 268). Raymond Dolphus represents a Mockingbird because even though he’s shadowed by prejudice of Maycomb he’s still a light shining through because he would do anything for his family because he loves them. Mr. Dolphus is a victim of the prejudice of Maycomb because he has to hide who he really is so that people have a reason to explain his crazy behavior for why he married a black woman instead of the actual reason that race doesn’t matter to him unlike most of the population of Maycomb. In Maycomb most white people don’t have a heart or love for the blacks but Mr. Dolphus breaks that barrier of the whites looking down on the blacks. Another scene that demonstrates purity and truth is when Scout stopped the mob attack by humanizing Walter Cunningham.
A mockingbird is a harmless bird that makes the world more pleasant. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, who were both peaceful people who never did any harm. To kill or harm them would be a sin. Scout's father, Atticus, tells Scout and Jem, "I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.
He is highly respected within Maycomb, Judge Taylor says that he is “always courteous to everybody” and Miss Maudie proclaims “we trust him to do right.” Even though Atticus actions of protecting Tom Robinson brought him to be the object of scorn in Maycomb ironically he is a heroic figure in the novel. He is a widower left with two lovable children, Jem and Scout. Lee presents him as a conscientious father, he is honest, straightforward, and throughout the novel he listens to them and deals with any questions they may ask. He says to his brother Jack, “when a child asks you something answer him.” Atticus treats his children as adults; he believes they can “spot an evasion quicker than adults.” Atticus practices the ethic of sympathy and understanding that he preaches to Scout and Jem and never holds a grudge against the people of Maycomb despite their callous indifference to racial inequality. He is sensitive in his treatment of people and he understands other individual’s feelings.
A person of color was always in the lowest class. The Blacks lived apart from the whites in their own section of town. The strong prejudice of Maycomb was demonstrated in the trial of Tom Robinson. Tom was a hard-working, warm-hearted Black man who went out of his way to be kind and helpful to some poor white trash. He helped Mayella because he felt sorry for her.
It is a rare and beautiful thing to find someone that can stand up for what they believe in, still knowing that everyone else they know is against their ideas. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the protagonist, Atticus Finch, is a loving and just character who sees through the preconceived belief in his community that class and social position is very important by looking at everyone as an individual. He does this because of his own beliefs in equality and justice that he also tries to teach to his children. Atticus doesn’t act the way he does only for himself, but also for the people he cares most about. Atticus Finch is a loving, but understanding father.
He did not speak for a moment.” The characteristic of humility is an important thing to have as a parent and as a role model. Nevertheless, Atticus does present himself overall as a highly moral parent. Lee uses him as a vehicle to present her ‘mockingbird’ metaphor with the message that we need to protect innocence and those vulnerable. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are likened to mockingbirds, with Tom’s death described as, “the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.” The extended metaphor across the book allows both the reader and Scout to learn the need for equality and reveals the consequences of prejudice and racism. .
Scout was too young to really feel the despair Jem does, so she is not as affected. She continues to wonder about her mother, because she can see how much her brother misses her. The emotional courage Jem shows may inspire Scout by showing her that crying is not a bad thing. Papa in “Papa Who Wakes Up Crying in the Dark” and Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird both express emotional courage when they show their sadness at the loss of family. People shouldn’t be afraid to show emotion; It is what makes each of us unique, after all.