Harper Lee explores the need for courage in order to bring about societal change. Discuss the statement above, making detailed reference to the text.
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s use of various characters emphasises that change is caused by people who dare to challenge social expectation. Atticus’ determination to test Maycomb’s opinions on people who are from a ‘different’ ethnicity and background, shows his bravery to change cultural stereotypes. Scout’s growth throughout the novel into a well-educated woman is the outcome of brave and courageous choices. Furthermore, Lee uses Boo Radley to emphasise the effect of societies expectations on an individual, and how courage is needed for them to bring about change.
Atticus’s decision to take the Tom Robinson case highlights the necessity for
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Scout’s courage is evident when she, “remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped (her) fists and walked away.” The visual imagery of Scout walking away emphasises how her brave decisions have started to affect and change the way she acts in front of others. Secondly, Scout portrays her bravery when she was with Boo Radley and, “took him by the hand, a hand surprisingly warm for its whiteness.” The contrast of the white hand with the surprising warmth demonstrates how Scout must have listened to previous judgements of Boo Radley but has now learnt to not listen to societies rumours. Through this, we see that Scout has developed and changed her attitude to different people because of her brave and courageous decision to ignore societies judgements. Moreover, Scout’s courage is shown through her innocent banter with Mr Cunningham outside the jail. Scout’s decisions throughout the novel evidently develop as she learns from experiences, these brave decisions consequently change the way she acts around other
In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout’s childish perception of the world throughout the novel reveals her lack of understanding and unawareness to her surroundings. Through the events in the small town of Maycomb Scout develops higher levels of maturity in interpreting the events occurring to influence her character. With racism being prevalent in the South, Scout’s exposition of the complexity of interracial relationships challenges her and the community’s views toward. Lee having Scout narrate the story filters the way characters evolve into the novel.
After Scout fights with Cecil Jacobs at her school for calling Atticus a ‘nigger-lover’, she is told by her father to “ just hold your head high and keep those fists down.” (Lee, 76) Atticus is expressing that one should not let others get to them and stand up for themselves. She takes up the courage to do so the next time she is yelled at by the boy, although with much difficulty. Through this account, Scout’s willingness to learn and grow is portrayed. Also, Scout is able to stand by her morals when she confronts the mob with Jem and Dill. She demonstrates this by kicking the man who harmed Jem and eventually repressing the mob to leave the county jail, in order to protect her brother and Atticus. The ultimate fear Scout conquers was her unease of ‘Boo’ or Arthur Radley. In the beginning, she identifies Arthur as a mysterious and frightening person who lives on the other side of the street. After Arthur saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack, she realizes that Arthur wasn’t so frightening anymore and learns to embrace her fear. She does so by walking Arthur home and when she stands on his porch for the second time, not with fear, but with understanding. Scout was able to progress as an individual, stand up for her beliefs, and embrace her fears throughout the
Atticus, Scout, and Jem are characters from To Kill A Mockingbird. This book talks a lot about what some people have been through, and the injustice and the inequality between the residents of Maycomb. Most importantly, the book talks about courage because it gives people hope and confidence no matter what position they’re in. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the importance of courage is shown through the brave actions of Jem,
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird shows us a theme of Courage . In the book To Kill A Mockingbird told through the eyes of Scout shows us life in Maycomb back in the 1930’s. When Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman named Mayella causing a lot of events in which the characters had to show courage in some shape or form to help the society become a whole. Atticus, Boo Radley and Jem show courage and created positive a change in their society.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a complex literary work exploring several aspects of the human condition. Lee’s story is one based in the 1930’s, shortly before the Civil Rights Movement. Her novel ventures into the societal issues, such as racism and gender stereotyping, in their fictional town, Maycomb. One recurring theme throughout the narrative is the social adjustment of the citizens of Maycomb and the human race as a whole. Lee showcases the progress in social justice matters by using symbolism and motifs.
Envision a world where courage is not just a word, but a force that can change the course of history. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch uses his courage as a force as he is the paragon of courage, by challenging the racial prejudices of Maycomb and inspiring others to do the same. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930’s in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama, in the novel it explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and even loss of innocence. As readers delve into the the novel, they are introduced to Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single father of Scout and Jem, who is tasked with defending Tom Robinson, an African American man who was wrongly accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Despite the racial
Envision a world where courage is not just a word, but a force that can change the course of history. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch uses his courage as a force as he is the paragon of courage, by challenging the racial prejudices of Maycomb and inspiring others to do the same. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930’s in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama, in the novel it explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and even loss of innocence. As readers delve into the the novel, they are introduced to Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single father of Scout and Jem, who is tasked with defending Tom Robinson, an African American man who was wrongly accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Despite the racial
A remarkable American soldier and author named William T. Sherman once stated, “Courage, a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure It.” Going against what society says and sticking to your beliefs is an act of courage. In the realistic fiction novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, an average southern family, the Finches, fights against the racism of a small town. Harper Lee’s message is expressed by symbolism through the two characters Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, the bildungsroman of Scout, and the hero archetype of Atticus .Harper Lee portrays that courage should be shown through loyalty not popularity.
One central theme in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is courage. Mrs. Dubose had the courage to fight her addiction, Atticus had the courage to defend Tom Robinson, and Arthur Radley had the courage to save Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell. What is different about the courageous acts of these characters is that their courage doesn’t come from not having fear, but from overcoming fear and expectations.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird there is a theme of courage throughout the story. Harper Lee’s message about courage is that adults and children can be equally courageous. Harper Lee wants her readers to know that courage can be shown in many different ways. Some of the courageous acts in this story are when Atticus takes the case for Tom Robinson, and when Scout stands up for Walter Cunningham. Other examples include, when Boo saves Scout’s life from Bob Ewell and when Mrs. Dubose overcomes her addiction. All of these actions display Harper Lee’s message of courage.
Scout shows courage in this book mainly but doing what is right and sticking to her word.
Many ideas change with time. Including, how races interact with each other. Race relations changed between the 20th and 21st century. A couple of prime examples of change are The Scottsboro Trials, Emmett Till Murder Trial, Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird, and The George Zimmerman Trial. Now as the thought of how race interactions happened have changed. The world today and it events prior to it have shaped how people interact. In history, we have always had a problem with race. Race may be a small thing to think of ,but it always can be found right in front of our eyes.
Courage can mean many different things to many different people. To some, courage can be the ability to stand up for what is right, while for others it can be challenging oneself with tasks one is not accustomed to. Harper Lee incorporates different types of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird so many can connect to a moment they felt that courage. Courage is seen throughout the novel in the form of overcoming one’s fears, fighting prejudice, and standing up for what one believes to be just.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a universally beloved book that perfectly encapsulates being a child and growing up in the south. Though the times have changed, many of the experiences that Scout and Jem have are shared by children today, from an overactive imagination to playing with the neighborhood kids during the summer to a universal dislike of school shared by most young children. Not everything in TKAM is pretty; though Maycomb might seem like a sweet innocent town from the outside, on the inside however, anger, hatred, and racism run rampant. The town where everyone goes to church sunday is the same town that formed a lynch mob and would have killed Tom Robinson had it not been for Atticus and Scout. Race relations and social justice take
Maycomb is an old town and somewhat tired. The town itself is slow to accept change and has not accepted the 20th centuries modern ways. The town is not invested in paved sidewalks or road. After a fair amount of rainfall there is always the presents of red “slop” and grass growing on the sidewalks. The town is never prepared for any types of emergencies.