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Arthur Radley Reputation

Decent Essays

The novel, titled To Kill A Mockingbird, written by an American novelist named Harper Lee, is about a woman named Jean Louise Finch, who recalls her childhood when she’s obtaining knowledge of morals and ethics through the events in her hometown of Maycomb. Harper Lee’s message about reputation is if every human being is capable of distinguishing others with beliefs, then every one of them should be treated ethically and with dignity. Harper Lee wants his readers to know that our esteem affects other people depending on how we see it. First of all, Harper Lee develops the theme by portraying some major characters as Mockingbirds. For instance, when Miss Maudie is hanging out with Jean, she simplifies to her why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird: “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 …show more content…

This quote is relevant, because Harper Lee epitomizes two characters as mockingbirds, Arthur Radley and Tom Robinson. Arthur Radley is a conscientious figure to the children, while Tom Robinson is innocent for his accusation; they need to be respected. If somebody takes their virtuous lives away with noxious force they’re evil. The reputation of those two figures sets a boundary for moral standards in an exemplary convention, so the readers could compare and contrast the way of thinking, and refuse to assume their false identities. Another example would be how later on in the book, Atticus refers to Tom Robinson’s case: “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions, but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” (Lee 139). Atticus articulates that the rule of democracy may determine how it responds, however, it doesn’t affect the deliberation of a human mind. This quote is also relative, because Tom may be identified guilty by any circumstances, and by

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