...“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”-Maya Angelou In chapter 10 of the Southern Gothic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the main character, Scout, assimilates memorable concepts from Mrs. Maudie and Atticus Finch about social prejudices that take different forms. For instance, in the end of chapter 10, Atticus summons enough courage to shoot a mad dog that has been limping through the streets resulting in the people of Maycomb to panic. The symbolism of the mad dog, mockingbird, and even the bluejays, that are expressed throughout chapter 10, contribute to the the that rumors and social prejudices are spreading through the town of Maycomb similarly to that of a disease. In the beginning of chapter 10, when Scout and her brother, Jem, are given air rifles, Atticus informs them about the types of birds they can and cannot shoot. For example, he reminds them them to “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but...
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...Mockingbird‘s Faded Childhood Innocence Irish poet William Butler Yeats once said, “The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but time.” There is no truer an example in literature than in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. In the novel the author uses the perspective of the novel’s storyteller, Miss Jean Louise Finch, more commonly known as Scout, and her brother Jeremy, nicknamed Jem, to highlight the blind innocence that comes as a byproduct of childhood. It is this innocence that also disappears from the children’s perspective in the novel. At least at first the two, blinded by their innocence, are unaware of the more mature and even sometimes ominous events and actions that eventually occur in the novel’s unveiling plot. It is because of their unwearied characters that Lee is able to best show how the events that occur in the lives of young characters causes blind innocence to disappear over time. Throughout the novel, there is a constant turn of events that ultimately leaves the children disillusioned with all their preconceived notions of all that is morally just and good. As Yeats said, time indeed proves to be the enemy for the children’s innocence, and by the novel’s end their worldly perspective is irreversibly changed. In the opening of the novel, Jean Louise Finch is revealed to be a grown woman looking back on her youth. The focal point of the narrative in particular is an innocent period from her childhood when she is six years old, just...
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...Atticus is the most honest, shows the most courage, and pacifistic throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus plays a big part in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. He is one of the main characters and is a good guy. He supports African Americans. He seems like one of the only few guys that do in Maycomb. He hates violence and does not prefer to ever use it. Thesis Statement Throughout the novel of To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus determined honest, courage, and pacifistic. Body (paragraph 2,3,4) Atticus shows honestly throughout the book. If you wanted to trust someone Atticus was the guy. He was an honest man. Some examples of him being honest is that he never lied during the trial. He never lied about something for Tom Robinson. He told the jury the truth about everything. Another example is when he comes out and says he will defend Tom Robinson. He was being honest about it and did not try to cover it up before the trial to everyone just in case if the whites would get mad. The white people of Maycomb did get really mad at Atticus but he didn't care he still wanted to defend Tom. Another example of him being...
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...things about someone because they belong in a certain group or race Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird both are based on the theme of stereotypes. In the next 3 paragraphs I will talk about stereotypes in To Kill a Mockingbird, The Merchant of Venice, and finally compare the stereotypes in both. There are many stereotypes and these 2 stories contain many that are alike. One big theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is stereotypes. First of all there is a stereotype that scout should wear a dress and act more like a girl because she is a tomboy. Aunt Alexandra says this. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches”(81). This shows that Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to be more like a lady. Secondly there’s Tom Robinson who is black and wrongly accused. Tom was accused of raping Mayella Ewell and in the end the jury voted him guilty even though Atticus explains the evidence is in Tom’s favor “To begin with, this case should have never come to trial”(203). This quote shows that Atticus’s evidence is perfectly clear and Tom isn’t guilty but in the end because Tom is black the jury assumes he is bad and votes him guilty. Finally black people don’t have the same rights as white people. For example Calpurnia brings Scout and Jem to church and a lady gets mad and asked Calpurnia why she brought white kids to the black church day. “I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillum to...
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...In chapter 10 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, an allegory for racism, prejudice, and injustice is created through the mad dog Tim Johnson as he wanders through the Finches’ hometown of Maycomb. Throughout the chapter, the message and symbols are gradually built to represent the nature of the inequality prevalent during Scout’s childhood and the Great Depression and how it will affect the interactions of Atticus’s black client, Tom Robinson, with the law and court system. Tim Johnson is a significant literary element in Lee’s narrative, conveying the story’s central themes of how inequality becomes embedded in a community despite its immorality. When every person in Maycomb gets sent indoors to avoid the mad dog, Scout observes Tim from...
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...In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is demonstrated throughout Atticus’ actions. His strive for equality can be represented by the scales of justice. Atticus believes that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of race, socio-economic or familial background. Having such an honorable and just character, propels Atticus to defend the wronged individual, Tom Robinson. Atticus believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime accused against him and he believes Robinson should not receive the death penalty. Atticus knows Tom might lose this case due to the racial attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the community. When an African-American is accused of a crime, the person is undoubtedly presumed guilty. Atticus still persists in...
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...To start a challenge is much more simple than completing one. There will always be a challenge waiting for one to overcome, waiting for one to face their fears and take a stance in what they believe in. As demonstrated in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many ways to act courageous. Standing by ones morals and acting against ones fears represents true courage. In To Kill a Mockingbird, true courage can be shown through moral courage, mental courage, and physical courage. In To Kill a Mockingbird, standing up for what one believes in shows moral courage. Firstly, Atticus defending Tom Robinson even when he knew he would lose shows moral courage. Atticus is a well-known and respected figure in Maycomb. Choosing to defend a...
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...things about someone because they belong in a certain group or race Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird both are based on the theme of stereotypes. In the next 3 paragraphs I will talk about stereotypes in To Kill a Mockingbird, The Merchant of Venice, and finally compare the stereotypes in both. There are many stereotypes and these 2 stories contain many that are alike. One big theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is stereotypes. First of all there is a stereotype that scout should wear a dress and act more like a girl because she is a tomboy. Aunt Alexandra says this. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches”(81). This shows that Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to be more like a lady. Secondly there’s Tom Robinson who is black and wrongly accused. Tom was accused of raping Mayella Ewell and in the end the jury voted him guilty even though Atticus explains the evidence is in Tom’s favor “To begin with, this case should have never come to trial”(203). This quote shows that Atticus’s evidence is perfectly clear and Tom isn’t guilty but in the end because Tom is black the jury assumes he is bad and votes him guilty. Finally black people don’t have the same rights as white people. For example Calpurnia brings Scout and Jem to church and a lady gets mad and asked Calpurnia why she brought white kids to the black church day. “I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillum to nigger...
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..."To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence". In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout narrates the story in first person point of view. The novel shows how growing up in times of depression, racism, and poverty can change an individual or even a society. The story takes places in Maycomb County. The time is set in the early 1930s where poverty and racism plays a major roll in the United States. The tone of the story is very serious and shows the reader a piece of reality. The mood is very sympathetic but the reader may also feel humor from Dill, Scout, and Jim, three of the main characters. The setting plays a major roll in the plot because the racism during that time contributes to the conflicting opinions of...
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...and unity… TEXT COMPARISON Are we always champions of tolerance, courage and receptiveness to others? By the very definition of humanity, we must be. Humanity: benevolence, understanding and kindness towards other people. It is, arguably, our very human nature to feel compassion, courage, understanding, unity and empathy towards our fellow man. Unfortunately, prejudice and judgement also cling to the human condition like tumorous stains – traits which society still finds hard to surmount. Despite the efforts of governments, groups and individuals, humankind still finds it difficult to trust based on the soul of a person; we are more comfortable making judgements based on skin colour. Nelle Harper Lee through her 1960 novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ and Boaz Yakin through his 2000 film, ‘Remember the Titans,’ are text composers who tackle the ill-defined paradigms of ‘prejudice, courage and unity’ by painting a picture of the confronting face of racism. Prejudice, courage and unity are notions that are dealt with differently by both composers and, through their use of structural and linguistic features, each composer presents this concept in a manner which connects (or weakens a connection)...
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...Courage is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “the ability to do something that frightens one.” In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the main characters have to understand what it means to be courageous in the face of prejudice. Growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression are two siblings named Scout and Jem. As the children get older, they learn the true meaning of courage through the characters, Mrs. Dubose, Atticus, and Scout even sees courage through her own brother, Jem. Throughout the novel, Courageousness is demonstrated by Mrs. Dubose, as she was struggling to fight against her morphine addiction. She dealt with plenty of emotional and physical pain in the overcoming of her addiction before she died. However, she never...
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...and parents, it is because of “Generation Gap”, when the children want to play or do something but the parents say “ No”, they would think their parents are old. They have different perspective of viewing things, children would think their parents are old-school. 2. 2. The title is important because It's about how you shouldn't be cruel or discriminate those who haven't done anything wrong. Tom Robinson was treated badly just for being black he didn't do anything wrong. Miss Maudie tells the kids never to "kill a mockingbird" because they are good birds and don't do anything wrong. So the title reflects what Atticus and Miss Maudie tells the children and about Tom Robinson. 3. 3. The mad dog is really important in chapter 10. First, The dog itself symbolizes racism. Atticus's willingness to shoot the dog, parallels his willingness to take on Tom Robinson's case. Secondly, the dog represent the idea of “Good vs Evil”. Atticus was brave enough to shoot the mad dog (evil). Yet, Jem and Scout sees their father other side and they realized Atticus was actually really cool , best...
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...Final Analysis on “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee Jackie Berry Colorado Technical University LITR 240 Prof. Peggy Huey May 9, 2011 Abstract When an author writes novels, short stories, or poems, most of their ideas come from life experiences. The author is trying to send a message that may mirror what the reader can understand. Many writings address conflicts, themes and symbolism. Harper Lee (2006) introduced many of these elements into her novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Harper Lee gives accounts of the story as if she was a young child and learns many life lessons that change her life forever. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (2006), takes place a small populated town in Maycomb, Alabama. The author has taken us back when hatred and prejudice is very common in the 1930s. Atticus, Scout, and Jem Finch are frowned upon because Atticus is defending a black man of allegedly raping a white woman. Atticus uses this opportunity to teach Scout and Jem morals that we teach our children today. Atticus teaches Scout and Jem to not to be judgmental towards anyone, not be afraid to stand up for what is right, and violence does not solve anything. Jem and Scout will also learn the true symbolizing of why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Harper Lee described the town of Maycomb as being a very poor and run down. The community is very small and everyone knew each other. The blacks and whites are divided and some that...
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...To Kill a Mockingbird and the southern gothic genre In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee utilizes the genre of southern gothic. The southern gothic genre is the best choice for the story that author Harper Lee wanted to tell. The reason why is because this genre allows the story to have an eerie mood fitting with the narrator, Scout who is a child and sees certain places or people as uncomfortably creepy or as jarring. It also allows the issue of unjust racism in the most inappropriate places, in this novel, it is a court of law which should be the most just and fair place, but is not. This story takes place in the early 1930’s and follows Scout Finch when her father, Atticus begins to defend a black man accused of rape. This man's name is Tom Robinson and this case shows Scout and her brother Jem how atrocious the racist ways of thinking happen and how they affect people in their lives. Southern gothic is a genre of writing found only in American Literature. It...
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...he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear,” said Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa. Nelson Mandela is saying courage is when you overcome the fear of being afraid. To Kill a Mockingbird is a book about a family with the last name Finch in the 1930’s that lived in Maycomb, Alabama. The father, Atticus, is a lawyer and is put on a case with a black man named Tom Robinson that he is defending vs. a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Robinson is accused of doing wrong and is guilty. Throughout the book, lots of people are doing other than the ordinary. In moments where the characters are being tested, and when they are...
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