The Influence Of Family In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Throughout our lives we're influenced by many. It can have an effect on the way we view issues within societal boundaries. One of the major influences children have in their lives comes from their parents. The parents of a child can have both a positive and a negative influence on their lives. In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", there are two excellent examples of how parents can be a major influence on their children. Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, plays the loving, kind and knowledgeable father. He is an example of how parents can have a positive influence on their children. Bob Ewell, father of Mayella Ewell, plays the drunken, abusive, and neglectful father. He is an example of how a parent can be a negative influence

Family members heavily influence our perspectives. From the time we are born our parents begin teaching us beliefs and values that are “right” in their eyes. Amy Tan, the author of “Two Kinds” talks about how it was living with a strict, traditional mother. In chunk 6, paragraph 67 Amy’s mother states “‘Only two kinds of daughters.’ She shouted in Chinese. ‘Those who are obedient and those who follow their own minds! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter!’” Her mother drilled this idea into her mind, which definitely affected her to a large extent. Her mother's expectations were too much, and she could never fulfill them. In her mother's eyes she was a disappointment, and this experience changed her perspective on what’s important in a person. Another example of family influencing our perspectives is shown in “An Indian Father’s Plea” by Medicine Grizzly Bear. In the personal letter from a father to his son's teacher he expresses his concerns for his sons education. Pg(99) “‘My son Wind Wolf, is not an empty glass coming into your class to be filled. He is a full basket coming into a different environment and a society with something special to share. Please

“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible”(Maya Angelou). To Kill a Mockingbird is about a young girl called Scout and the important lessons she learns through the events of a racist trial, the mysterious neighbour, and growing up. She learns many lessons about perspective and understanding people. One of the most important lessons she learns about prejudice. Lee demonstrates the message that prejudice does not only harm an individual but damages a society in the events of “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Prejudice becomes affects society most when the views become what people expect. We can see this in the three main types of prejudice, racial, gender, and class or wealth.

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Jem, Scout, and Dill to help the reader view certain aspects of society in a different way by using social class, being a woman, and racism. Children are more open minded than adults, so they view the world in a distinct way compared to them. Most of society is stuck in their ways and are only able to see the world in one perspective, while the kids are are trying to develop their own view of the world . The kids morals are unlike many people’s in the town, so this gives the reader a different perspective of Maycomb/society.

Judging others for things they cannot control is a central element of human nature. From race to disabilities, people are quick to make generalizations based on labels others are born with. For example, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, prejudice against others because of their family and social class is a major topic. The novel uses many of its characters to demonstrate how this type of prejudice affects people. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that prejudices in a community limit how community members can succeed and be happy in life.

Imagine a game of plinko* where each spike has on it a word. Each word ranges from poverty to upper class, college to high school degrees, urban to rural, or even just different life experiences. Every single spike affects the ball’s path down to the bottom. However which spikes are the most influential in guiding the ball to its endpoint. Social aspects of life shape what we believe through tv, media, and the people around us.

As the teacher reads the verdict of Tom Robinson’s case in Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the class gasped in unison. It was as if an icy chill blew through the room, for the hair on the backs of the students’ necks stood up. The issues that the book identifies is still poignantly present in our current time, and yet, the reader reacts to the story as if it were a distant memory. In other words, we experience the shock value in the book, as though it were completely foreign to us, notwithstanding the fact, that “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is set in the 1930’s of Maycomb, Alabama. The theme of social inequality, lack of perspective and empathy and the transition from a darkened senses of awareness (youth) to enlightenment, are three themes that are present in the novel and are read with shock, yet, we have become desensitized to these issues in our present day.

When Scout asked Atticus if he defended “niggers”, he responded with “Of course I do. Don’t say nigger, Scout. That’s common.”(Lee 99) Atticus demonstrates his thoughts about racism through how he responds to his daughter, Scout. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird portrays life in Maycomb County in the 1930s through the eyes of a six year old. Atticus struggles to protect his children, Scout and Jem, from the evils of racism that abide within everyone around them. His values are put to the test when he is appointed to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of rapeing a white woman. This novel portrays themes of change versus tradition, whether family is a blessing or a curse, and loss of innocence through Atticus Finch and

To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel that shows prejudice in society. The narrator Scout knows most of her neighbors. Jem and Scout could have judged people by their looks when their personality could be different. The new teacher in their town doesn’t know most of the people there. She thinks they all have a good lifestyle. A child could see everything in a good point of view while an adult could see it as a bad point of view.

As humans we are capable of having thousands of different emotions. The ways these emotions have an effect on us is how we live our daily lives. We live each day making choices based on how we feel. We can choose to do wrong or right by what our instincts tell us. These ethics and morals in our lives influence us as people. The novel written by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird  citizens of Maycomb, Alabama all face many different challenges in their lives. Atticus, a father of eight-year old girl Scout and Jam, a ten-year old boy must take on a challenge and defend a black man in court. Tom Robinson is the black man who is falsely accused of rape. Aunt Alexandra who conflicts with Scout about the clothing she wears, and Boo Radley the strange

Quality parenting is key in the upbringing of children. Without a suitable role model to follow, a child’s life wouldn’t be the same. An example of good parenting is Atticus, the father of Scout and Jem Finch in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. He seeks to instill multiple values in his children, and teaches them life lessons that they never would’ve known without his guidance. In the suspenseful novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, it states that Atticus is an extremely good father, informs Scout and Jem the values of life, and continuously does his best to raise his children.

Often times, literature reflects the problems within a society. An author finds their character’s struggles and triumphs in the people of each era. Inspirations from real life events fuel not only great literature but also books that become remarkable social pieces. A perfect example is Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. This novel is reflective of the 1930’s era. In the story racism runs rampant through society with only a noble few trying to stop it. The racism that is apparent and a focal point for the novel is, although fiction, closely matched to that of a racist era in America. Racism represents fear of the unknown in many themes in the book as well as in the daily aspect of life.

Throughout our childhood, we all can recall memorable moments about things we experienced. Whether it be losing a tooth or getting in trouble during recess. The children in To Kill a Mockingbird Scout, Jem, and Dill spends their childhood together learning from each other and the town around them. Today the concept of “childhood” is changing for each generation and becoming more connected with technology rather than going to the park. Still, there are things every child can relate to or remind them of a similar event. Such as fearing a neighbor, summertime, and the first day of school. There are many different components that make up our childhood experiences.

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the early 1900’s in Maycomb, Alabama. The story is written in the perspective of Scout Finch, the narrator. Scout Finch lives with his brother, Jem, his father, Atticus, and their cook, Calpurnia. Scout and Jem play in the summertime with their friend Dill once school ends. Scout, Jem, and Dill are fascinated by the Boo Radley, a neighbor who almost no one had seen in years. The children attempt to lure him out of hiding. Boo Radley’s presence appears a few more times throughout the story. He puts a blanket on Scout and leaves gifts in an oak tree for Scout and Jem to take, yet no one ever sees him come out. A few years

The story I have chosen for my paper is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I read this during high school year and I did enjoy the story at the beginning however, I started to get confused in the middle because, “To Kill a Mockingbird” has lots of meaning inside of books so, it was hard to understand the author’s meaning from the book. Also, this book takes long time to read. However, I really enjoy this book.