Reading Lessons In To Kill A Mockingbird

After Tom Robinson’s trial, Atticus delivers a powerful speech to everyone in the courtroom. He says about Mayella Ewell, “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards” (207). This quote communicates a valuable theme. The citizens of Maycomb would rather believe that a black woman raped a white woman than that a white woman kissed a black man. In Maycomb, any white person, even an uncivilized Ewell, is so much higher than a black person on the social scale that it’s “unspeakable” that they would dare to “[tempt] a Negro.” But Atticus’s speech does not influence the jury’s verdict- every single one of them ruled guilty. However, they took hours to decide, which shows that there is a little bit of progression, even if there is still a long way to go. Even today, racism hasn’t disappeared, and we still have a ways to go. One day in Scout’s class, her teacher is talking about how horrible it is that

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, readers are able to see the ways in which Scout, Jem, and Dill learn valuable life lessons as they progress throughout the story. The book is narrated by Scout, a twelve-year old girl, who takes part in many adventures with her older brother Jem ranging from games at the house of their neighbor, “Boo” Radley, to witnessing her father, Atticus Finch, defend a black man, Tom Robinson, from being wrongfully accused of rape. While many may argue that To Kill a Mockingbird should not be taught in class, the values taught by the characters help to argue that it should be taught to classes.

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s father, Atticus demonstrates his self-control and empathy towards Scout and her problems which makes him a positive role model in his daughter’s life and maturation growth. After school, Scout exclaims to Atticus that she does not want to attend school anymore due to the fact she had a dreadful first day of the first grade. She complains to Atticus about her teacher, Miss.Caroline and how she disapproves of Scout’s competency of reading and writing. Miss.Caroline expresses to Scout that she should not be literate at her age and now has to undo the damage that has been done by her father; this statement is ironic because teachers are supposed to encourage learning and help further advance their

Folks." Scout was trying to say that all people are created equal. No one, by nature, is superior to anybody else. This is a very contrary view to what most people believed at that time, especially in the South. There was prejudice between races and prejudice between families. The most obvious theme of the book is racism. Staged in the early 1930’s in southern Alabama, racism was still undeniably present. Even though the amendments which freed slaves and gave them rights were passed more than sixty years prior, the culture of the south intertwined with racism. Interracial marriages were illegal. Different races could not attend the same schools. It was the law that whites and blacks could not even be put together in the same jail cells. Looking at these things, one can only imagine the upheaval when a Negro was accused of raping a white woman: but did this stop Atticus from standing up for justice? No, it didn’t. He knew perfectly well how criticizing eyes would view the case; no matter how glaring the evidence was, the people wouldn’t accept an African American’s word over a white man’s. Atticus saw all people as equal, regardless of their skin color and he knew what was the right thing to do. He was a friend and ally to the African American community and they respected them for it. Another example is the Cunningham family. When Walter comes over for lunch, Scout criticizes him but

This time period is one of racial discrimination and social inequality; two subjects young Scout Finch is only beginning to comprehend. Scout is hearing talk around school and town about her father defending a black man and calling him a “nigger-lover”. She pesters Atticus to give her an explanation; Atticus tells Scout who he is defending, a black man named Tom Robinson. When Atticus remarks that, “there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man,” (Lee 86) Scout asks why he is doing it if he knows it’s bad. Atticus explains that his values and morals compel him to fight for the case. He tells her to disregard the snide comments made by her peers and fellow neighbors; Atticus knows it’s a hopeless cause to fight, but he will try to win because he is an honorable man and he truly believes in Tom’s cause. Atticus will have to face the wrath of his townsfolk and racial discrimination, but he is emotionally attached to the case and will fight for it. As he teaches his kids to ignore the hate and carry on without worrying about society, he is also re-assuring himself any dispelling any doubts he might have concerning his involvement.

As Scout begins to consider people?s opinions about prejudicial behavior she soon feels obligated to understand these racial judgments. Scout, being the curious and forthright girl she is, feels that only way to do so is by interrogating these estimations. ?As Atticus had once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem?s skin and walk around in it? (57). At this specific point in the novel, it is clear that Scout has learned a valuable lesson. The social lesson accomplished is never to judge anyone before determining their past experiences or hardships. Not only Scout?s social well-being, but her mental and emotional well-being progress extensively throughout the events of the novel. This is clearly defined by the following quote. ?Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting anymore, I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold it in, the better off everybody would be?(74). The quote stated by Scout proves that she is willing to mature at such a crucial time as the trial. She discovers that it is more important for Atticus to focus on the defending of Tom Robinson, a Negro accused of raping Mayella Ewell, instead of focusing on her minor problems. This particular sacrifice portrays the fact that Scout is beginning to realize the amount of prejudice in the town and wants her father to help people accept racial differences. As Scout?s journey through racial

Atticus, a man of virtue, educates his children that the color of someone’s skin shouldn’t determine how you treat them. His teachings are reflected in the way Scout

Imagery of the town (6) - town appears nothing fancy, old & small community, heat of the south reinforced

After Scout’s first day of school, she tells Atticus that she wants to be homeschooled because she doesn’t like her teacher. Atticus, who wants her to receive a proper education, makes a compromise. If Scout goes to school, he will read to her every night without telling Miss Caroline. Scout slowly starts getting used to her teacher and the ways of school. Lee writes,”…Never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(39).

Blacks all around the world have received prejudice against them all the time, being judged, not by their actions but by their skin color. Their lives have been segregated since the start of civilizations, and only recently have they been granted the same equality as everyone. But still, this does not hinder people from continuing to show racism and prejudice against blacks, putting labels on them, and treating them as inferiors. Lee depicts the racism and prejudice against blacks in the Jim Crow era, describing how they were viewed in the eyes of the white population. Atticus, Scout’s lawyer father, is sent to court to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. At the end of his case, he pleads the jury to not let the evil racism of the society affect their decision, but have justice and proof be the real judge, “...the evil assumption---that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber,”(232). Atticus makes his firm statement trying to go against the ideals and morals of that time period. He is asking a jury of white men to vote against the word of 2 other white and judge on. man as innocent. These type of people are those who can firmly see through the blinds of racism and foggy mist of prejudice. They are those who strive for a bigger difference and the bigger picture in the future. They see what can become of the world if prejudice continues to undermine our society and form new values. They aim to identify people based on their true actions and intentions rather than rumors and judgment. But the amount of these special people is dwarfed by blind men believing in rumors and never questioning the innuendos. The jury still after hearing the final words of Atticus, are still going to declare the black man guilty, because of the judgment that all blacks are immoral, and will harm others. These assumptions determine the fate of this black man and will determine the fate of other black men in the future as stated in Tim Wise’s article, “Year after year, and case after cases it continues, with black lives viewed as expendable in the service of white

1. Consisting of shortness of breath, a high fever, and a racing pulse. 2. Held in contempt of court by the presiding judge. 3.

The fondest memories one tends to have of one’s childhood are the fun, happy, and enjoyable times shared with others. As young children, one simply tries to block out what one does not understand, or one avoids confronting problems. However, in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper E. Lee, Scout defies this convention by maturing into a strong and brave character throughout the course of the story. She expands her mind to view racism and prejudice from different perspectives, partner with unlikely allies, and embrace change. When it comes to surmounting obstacles, Scout is constantly determined and undertakes challenges that not many girls her age would. For a nine-year-old, Scout possesses the strength and

Have you ever wondered what makes someone grow up? It seems to be the little things in life that really make children ponder about life’s choices. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout has many moments that help the young child realize the answers to life’s questions and what she is expected to become as she grows older. Harper Lee’s many literary devices used throughout the novel help build up to moments of coming of age for young Scout. From pages thirty to thirty-two, Scout learns a lot of new lessons that help her on her way to growing up. When reprimanded by her teacher, Miss Caroline, she chooses to take her anger out on what she thought was the source, Walter Cunningham. This innocent boy is the son of a father that hardly provides

​H‎arper. L‎ee goe‎s on to illust‎rate or s‎how us that education is not just specifically found in schools. The important and significant aspects of education that Scout and Jem learn from Atticus, is the one of if not the best piece of

In the book to kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the idea that a person education outside of the classroom, helps us to mature and better understand life's more difficult situations. This is clearly seen in the lives of Scout, and Jem. As the trial of Tom Robinson drew nearer, the Children saw face to face how hypocrisy made its domain in the adult world. After seeing the Prejudice, they were better able to resist falling into it. With the autonomic upbringing of Scout and Jem, The children were better able to see the disease Maycomb had, and better prepare them for the consequences of obtaining such knowledge.