...Summary Students at school start saying that Atticus "defends niggers." When Scout asks why, Atticus says he's defending a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus says he won't win the case, but has to take it in order to keep his integrity. He cautions Scout that people, even their friends, might say dirty things to her, and tells her to keep her head up and avoid fighting. Scout does. It's the first time she's ever walked away from a fight Every Christmas, Uncle Jack comes down to Maycomb from Boston and all the Finch's gather at Finch's landing to spend the holidays with Scout's dreaded Aunt Alexandra and her awful grandson Francis. At Finch's landing, Francis calls Atticus a "nigger-lover." Scout punches him, and Francis claims she hit him for no reason and also cursed at him. Uncle Jack spanks her Back in Maycomb, Scout tells Uncle Jack why she hit Francis, but makes him promise not to say anything because Atticus said she shouldn't fight anyone over the Tom Robinson case. Later that night, Scout overhears Jack telling Atticus he doesn't understand children. Atticus says you have to be honest with them. Then Atticus says the trial will be bad, since "reasonable people go mad when anything involving" a black person comes up. He says the trial will be particularly tough on Jem and Scout. Analysis and themes Scout and Jem begin to see the prejudice that is as much a part of Maycomb as the kindness they've long known. Atticus teaches both tolerance and courage: he never...
Words: 348 - Pages: 2
...belief, a change in perspective has to occur. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lee shows the change in Scout Finch’s beliefs as she matures and her perspective changes. We can see this when Scout evaluates Walter Cunningham’s way of life at her supper table, when she starts to witness the social inequalities in Maycomb, Alabama during Tom Robinson's trial, and when she learned the truth about her childhood monster, Boo Radley. As Walter Cunningham sat at the Finch’s table for Dinner, Scout who had previously beat him up that day, was furious because Walter’s way of life got her in trouble from her teacher, Miss Caroline. Atticus Finch, whose morals are strong believes in treating everyone equally says, “If you learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” (Lee, page 39) As any six year old would, Scout has a temper but Atticus always reminding her that it is important to step in other people’s shoes. This especially carries over to the...
Words: 631 - Pages: 3
...end. The chain of inequality starts at the top with the Finch’s hovering above everyone else than the average neighbors next, the Cunninghams, Ewells, and at the very bottom the negroes. This theme was shown roughly almost every single chapter with the key points of the Tom Robinson and his court trial against Bob Ewell. This happens in the real world today with terrorism and all sorts of other stuff. Social inequality is shown constantly through this novel. Social inequality is shown in many ways that we all encounter everyday. There are many people in poverty striving for food to feed and support their families similar to the Cunninghams in the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. They are near the bottom of the chain with no food, home, or maybe even a loss of friends and family. Some rich people have no respect for them so they don’t offer them any help or even money because they believe they should keep their money since they’re on top of the chain similar to the Finch’s but the Finch’s care for the people in poverty in the book. In chapter 19 Tom Robinson says “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr.Ewell seemed to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I...
Words: 616 - Pages: 3
...Kill A Mockingbird, there are many adults who influence the children, Jem and Scout, including Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie, and Calpurnia. These characters are the most influential role models in the everyday life of the children. Atticus Finch is a kind, wise lawyer who cares a lot about his children, Jem and Scout. Scout says “he liked Maycomb, he was Maycomb county born and bred; he knew his people, they knew him, and because of Simon Finch’s industry, Atticus was related by blood or marriage to every family in the town.” He also studied law in Alabama. In the book, Atticus has to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping, Mayella Ewell, a poor, white girl. The family receives negative feedback concerning the trial of Tom Robinson and Scout gets in a fight...
Words: 798 - Pages: 4
...the only ones truly shocked about the verdict were two children. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee criticizes the society of the fictional town known as Maycomb for many issues that still occur today. One societal issue that this novel highlights is racism, specifically with the trial of Tom Robinson, who was wrongfully accused and convicted of rape. Harper Lee also examines other, just as important topics to society. The novel takes place in mainly one town in Alabama known as Maycomb during the Great Depression where finding a job is increasingly difficult. Although fictional, it accurately...
Words: 1610 - Pages: 7
...the story. She is the sister of Jeremy (Jem) Finch and the daughter of Atticus Finch. She lives with her brother, father, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb County. Being the main character, she is involved with all of the major events that happen during the course of the novel, including the Tom Robinson trial. While the story progresses, Scout’s views about life mature. Scout is different than most little girls at the time. She wears overalls instead of dresses and learns to climb trees with Jem and Dill rather than learning manners.She starts to understand how to look at things from someone else’s point of view, instead of only her own, and, “step into their skin,” as Atticus tells her, in order to understand people’s feelings. She progresses from a short-tempered tom boy to an empathetic young girl. Although she is still young, her understanding of the world is progressing rapidly. Jem Jeremy (Jem) Finch is the brother of Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, and the son of Atticus finch. He is four years older than Scout. He is Scout’s playmate and protector throughout the novel. Although he slowly weans himself from Scout’s little games, he remains her closest companion and guardian. He and his views on life are deeply affected by the Tom Robinson trial because of the amount of sheer prejudice and cruelty of the trial. Jem learns what real courage is. Atticus knew that he was going to lose the trial, but he tried anyways, and Jem saw that. In addition he learns not to harm...
Words: 2535 - Pages: 11
...While To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of Scout Finch’s childhood, Harper Lee draws the reader’s attention to the justice, morality, and ethics Scout witnesses along with her older brother Jem. Scout’s pure thoughts during calamity are evidence of her ethics. During Tom Robinson’s court trial, Jem’s morality shine’s on his tears as he tries to understand the shallowness of the townspeople of Maycomb. Justice, as well as injustice, is served time and time again in this novel. An example of both is shown as Scout pummels her cousin’s face when he disrespects her father, consequently, Scout receives punishment. This is a book rich with symbolism and moral testing. After Bob Ewell shatters Jem Finch’s arm, Arthur “Boo” Radley (the town’s recluse) saves the children by knifing Bob under the ribs, killing him. Jem is unconscious in bed while his father, Atticus, argues with Sheriff Tate over how to report the incident. Atticus is a lawyer, an advocate for truth, but Sheriff argues to protect Arthur from the spotlight by reporting that Bob fell on the kitchen knife. Scout, knowing Arthur is introverted, realizes the dilemma of bringing him to court. Then, Scout reveals...
Words: 633 - Pages: 3
...Through their actions, Boo Radley, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson epitomize one of the three themes-justice, morality, and ethics- Harper Lee addresses in To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson displays in the book the actions he took to become ethical. Boo Radley shows us how he insures justice to the Finch children and Tom Robinson’s family. Atticus Finch’s morals are what holds the town intact. Each of these characters conveys his/her own theme. First, Boo Radley has been treated with such injustice from both the community and the Finch children that he separates himself from the real world. Despite all the trials they made Boo suffer through, irony occurs when Boo Radley is the one who establishes justice in the end. When Boo kills Bob Ewell, he not only saves the lives of the Finch children but also delivers justice to Tom...
Words: 521 - Pages: 3
...Mockingbird Essay To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee. This novel is set in Maycomb, Alabama around 1933. Scout, the narrator, Jem, her brother, and her father, Atticus Finch, have to help a black man, Tom Robinson, who was convicted of rape. Along the way, they meet many new people and learn a lot of valuable lessons like never kill a mockingbird. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in a “sleepy town” called Maycomb, Alabama around 1933 during the Great Depression. Scout said that Maycomb is a “tired old town” where “people seem to move slower” (6 Lee). This is s small town so everyone knows everything about everybody. Southern Alabama has “summers that drift into autumn, and autumn...
Words: 1224 - Pages: 5
...is a six-year-old child born and raised in 1930’s Maycomb County, Alabama. She grows up in a racist society were “colored people” are discriminated and learns about racism from society. In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee the theme of racism is explored and it becomes clear that racism is something we learn from society. Scout starts to learn more about racism from society when she is talking to Francis. When Scout and her family go to Finch’s landing for Christmas and talks to Francis she learns a segment of what racism is. She realizes the prejudice of being associated with a “Colored person” when Francis says “I guess it ain't your fault that Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover” (94). Scout feels enraged at Francis when he calls Atticus this because even though she does not know what that word means, she still felt the prejudice of his words and she felt that what Francis called Atticus is not a good thing. From Francis’s words, Scout begins to develop an understanding of what racism is....
Words: 615 - Pages: 3
...Miss Paugh English 9 February 18, 2010 Three different fathers How does Atticus Finch, Mr. Walter Cunningham and Bob Ewell’s parenting differ? How are Jem and Scout Finch, Mayella Ewell and Walter Cunnungham treated by their fathers? Are the actions made by their fathers reflected on the children? Atticus Finch is kind to Jem and Scout. Mr. Walter Cunningham treats Walter well and teaches him to never take anyrhing that he cannot give back. Bob Ewell is a heavy drinker and beats Mayella. Sout and her brother Jem go through many different experiences as they become older. Their father Atticus is defending a black man which was unacceptable in their time period. They are ridiculed, threatened and even attacked because of it. Their neighbor and friend Miss Maudie’s house burns down. Atticus Finch, Mr. Walter Cunningham and Bob Ewell parent differently in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch treats his children, Jem and Scout very well. Jem is growing and is very moody at the age of 12. Scout asks Atticus if he reckons Jem has a tapeworm. Atticus says, “No, Jem [is] growing. [You] must be patient with him and disturb him as little as possible(153).” Atticus shows slight annoyance during the stressful trial period. His voice shows how stressed out the trial is making him. Scout runs Jem’s comb up and down the edhe of his dresser. Atticus says, “Stop that noise(178).”Atticus is kind to his children and only shows unhappiness after a stressful day. Mr...
Words: 606 - Pages: 3
...remarkable progress against racial prejudice. However, with Tom Robinson’s recent trial, it is obvious that we still have a long way to go. The trial of Tom Robinson exemplified the entrenched prejudice that many, not only in Maycomb but also in the United States, hold against the Negroes in...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...To Kill a Mockingbird Tiffin University Lisa Caskey September 28, 2012 Degree Completion Program English 365 Issues in Literature Discrimination and prejudice were very common in the 1900’s. Prejudice is defined in the Webster’s dictionary as “preconceived judgment; or opinion; an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge”. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). Discrimination is defined as “prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, and or treatment” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). Discrimination and Prejudice run rampant in Maycomb County, Alabama. To Kill a Mockingbird is a story based in time of the Great Depression. The book displayed acts of hate based on the color of someone’s skin. Colored people were the main ones discriminated against. But there were instances where poverty stricken families were also discriminated against. The story begins in the summer in a small town called Maycomb County. The story is told from a child’s perspective. The child’s name is Scout finch. She is retelling the story of her and her brother Jem’s childhood. Their summer consists of playing games and acting out scenarios from different books. They also act out stories made up about people residing within their neighborhood. They do this along with “Dill” Miss Rachel’s nephew who comes to Maycomb for the summer. These stories are based on assumptions and judgments of what they believe...
Words: 1253 - Pages: 6
...as Mayella Ewell. It was one of the most gripping and important trial that Maycomb has seen yet. It looked pretty even and I don’t know what the crowd believed. The trial opened on Heck Tate as the first witness. Under recounting his story, Atticus questioned Tate about why he didn’t call a doctor despite Mayella’s injuries. Heck Tate admits that a doctor should’ve been called. Strangely enough Mayella’s injuries were concentrated on the right side of her face. Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father was up next. When being questioned by Atticus he got agitated and started using...
Words: 628 - Pages: 3
...Innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, published in 1960, is a novel about a little girl who experiences a trial. This novel takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. In the book, a mockingbird is a symbol of innocence. Children have innocence and when the ¨kill¨ their own innocence, they grow up. Scout is a little white girl who doesn't quite understand the world yet. In the book, She keeps her innocence but is later attacked. Tom Robinson is an African American man who was convicted of rape. A crime he did not commit, which he was sentenced to death for and killed for running away. Boo Radley is a man who was said to be a monster but in reality saved scout and her brother Jem. In the book,...
Words: 995 - Pages: 4
