Justice has long been considered something that is important to the success of a society. However justice in itself is something that is hard to achieve. Recently in the news, a story has arisen regarding a father who was not able to afford a lawyer, due to this he was not able to see his kids for five years. This is what some people would call political injustice, a case in which someone's given rights have been ignored. This is very common despite people saying that justice should be given to all people. Social injustice is a case in which people are affected by less government and law related issues, including, environmental rights, civil rights, and an access to education. This can be also seen clearly in “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Through the society that Harper Lee portrays in her novel she suggests that justice is something worth fighting for. Examples of both social and polítical injustice becomes apparent.
Social injustice is a common theme throughout the novel. This can appear in cases of stereotypes. Many people in the town of Maycomb have families that are over generalized. Such as the Cunninghams, who “never took anything they can't pay back.” (Lee 26). However some of these stereotypes are very inaccurate. For instance, Walter Cunningham went to dinner with the Finches, this was something that he could not pay back, but he did it anyway. Or when Scout was able to help snap Mr.Cunningham back to reality when he was trying to intimidate Atticus.
Social inequality is an uncivilized ranking scale which was created by simple minded people who held the fear being surpassed. The argument made by Harper Lee in her work To Kill a Mockingbird is that social inequality is a hierarchy that is complex and affects everyone. More specifically, the author argues that the racial boundaries put between the black and white during the 1930’s caused great stress. This is proven in the novel multiple times. The people of Maycomb judge one another based on the background and wealth of their families. Not only do they judge each other within the community, they discriminate against anyone different than them. Social inequality does not only exist in the form of racism, there are many forms; some of the major ones appear in this book. Social inequality based purely on family background, social inequality based on the wealth of the individual and family, and racism. These are three of the major forms of social inequality that appear numerous times in the book.
In the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, racism and social inequality are two central themes. Many different forms of social inequality coexist in the society depicted in the book, as the people of Maycomb are very rigid in their ways. This is because the book takes place in a time at which there was much racism and social inequality. In Maycomb, firstly there is discrimination between rich and poor white people, who do not often interact with each other. There is also racism against blacks by all white people in society, both rich and poor. Black people are denied basic rights and discriminated against in this town. Lastly, there is racism between the lowest classes of the community: poor white people and
Another person that experiences social injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird is the Cunningham family. Even though the Cunninghams aren’t black, they still are prejudiced against because of their social status in the community. Aunt Alexandra is especially mean when talking about the Cunninghams to Scout: “...he----is----trash, that’s why you can’t play with him. I’ll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what.” (pg. 301)
Social inequality based entirely on race affects people who don’t deserve it. To Kill a Mockingbird original publication was in 1960, it is a classic novel written by Harper Lee, the book is set in 1933 to 1935. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama and follows two years in the life of 7-year old Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, an attorney who hopelessly strives to prove the innocence of a black man accused of rape. The book also talks about Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbour who saves Scout and her brother Jem from being killed. The definition of social and legal codes are social codes made up of rules and standards, and a legal system is a code of laws made by a state or nation. Throughout the book, social and legal codes are exploited by people to help maintain their social status. In Maycomb County, social and legal laws harm black people to protect white people, such as Atticus Finch, Bob Ewell, and Tom Robinson.
Race is the dominant cause of inequality in To Kill A Mockingbird, thus Maycomb’s views on race heavily influence every aspect of life. Although racial inequality is clearly illustrated in the in the injustice, prejudice, discrimination and antagonism surrounding the Tom Robinson trial, it is also shown more subtly throughout the novel. In chapter 25 Atticus Finch is quoted disclosing that the corrupt justice system is a direct cause of a racist society. “In our courts, when it's a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Pg 295). To emphasize, on the same occasion Atticus attempts to explain to his children how widely spread racism is, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life”
Our nation is supposed to symbolize freedom, happiness and social equality . However, manny still fall victim to the social injustice brought upon our society. The novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Portrays these social injustices despite being published many years ago.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you. This proverb means to treat others the way one wants to be treated. For example, I treat my close friends with loyalty, respect and kindness because this is how I want them to treat me. As a case in point, when my friends need help with biology homework on cell division, I help them when they need it because I know more about cell division and when I need help on history homework on the Revolutionary War because I am not so good at history, I would expect them to help me. In fact, I would be there by their side when they need help. Truly, I expect them to have my back the same way. This maxim connects to social justice because the concept of the maxim
In To Kill A Mockingbird injustice is exhibited at intense depths; sometimes it takes extreme measures for justice to be displayed even though it might be wrong in the law’s eyes. The most prevalent of these is the injustice the because this leads to the stage in the book where justice has been revealed.
In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author explores the issue of justice using the symbol of the mockingbird. Placed in, the 1930s, a time of great depression and inequality, the book presents injustice acts to the most kind yet blamed citizens of the town Maycomb. The symbolism of the mockingbird and the characters are essential for the message of Harper Lees novel because the kind, but African-American Tom Robinson is unfairly put on trial for the “rape” of Mayella Ewell. Also, Arthur “Boo” Radley is victimized by the rumors the towns people have created about him, forcing him to live alone inside his house with his brother, Nathan Radley. Lastly Atticus Finch, is known by the town for being a good human being and sticking
Social injustice has flooded the world and will continue to flood the world until someone stops all this evil. In Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, there is poverty and racism ruling over the South. Scout Finch has yet to realize all the evil surrounding her and her family. The evil that takes over Maycomb is the racism that lives in the hearts of its citizens. In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, readers see a view of social injustices caused by racism through the Maycomb citizens who see the world through a veil of hypocrisy, which is shown by their actions in the way they talk down to Tom, and the truths of Maycomb’s society.
To Kill a Mocking Bird is a book that has been turned into a movie. The themes that are covered in this interesting book and movie ranges from racism, prejudice to social injustice which goes to show how human beings can be very cruel to fellow human beings simply because they are different from themselves. Tom Robinson’s trial further shows that in a society where the white race is seen to be superior, no other race mattered. This paper therefore is an analysis of the themes that emerge from the court proceedings of the Tom Robinson trial. It goes on to analyze how the content shapes the language used and how social identities, functions and relations are performed through language choices.
I experienced very many examples of injustice every day at school such as being made fun of for my height, weight, and the way I dress. At the time I felt as if the whole world was against me and didn't really know what to do. I find it interesting that a few simple things define how someone is seen by many others. My definition of justice would be everyone being treated equally regardless of race, gender, religion, mental ability, or physical ability.
What is social inequality? What I do know is that it is not acceptable and shouldn’t be tolerated. For example, the Robinsons and the Radley’s, are both treated extremely poorly, because of the time period and the racist town of Maycomb. Throughout the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops the motif of social inequality through the families of the Robinsons, the Ewells, and the Radleys as they are all treated with social inequality.
Moral cowardice is when someone is a bystander, and witnesses something unfair. They don’t do anything to stop it and stick up for what is right, even if they have intentions too. A Social Injustice is something unfair that happens because someone or something is different. Whether it be race, gender, opinions, personal beliefs, or someone simply don’t fit in. These two ideas go hand in hand, and how people choose to respond to a situation can show their true purpose. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Calpurnia is an example of someone who is both a moral coward and someone who stands up against social injustice. This book takes place during the depression in Maycomb, Alabama. In this small town people have strong opinions about almost everything around them; most of which are racist and just plain cruel. Calpurnia is a black woman who works for the finch family as a maid and acts as a mom towards the two kids; Jem and Scout.
“‘Your father's right,’ she said. “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 corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”’ (Lee 90). In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, siblings Jem and Scout Finch grow up in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama. There they witness racial inequality and injustice. By analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird, the reader can learn that racism, the moral nature of human beings, and social status relate to the theme of justice and fairness.