Theme Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

After the trial, Atticus explains how his kind gesture impacted others. He tells Jem, “if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?” (Lee 180). This quotation shows the direct result of how compassion can affect other people. When faced with the same situation, many people would choose to use unkind words or even physical violence to get revenge on Bob Ewell. This would lead to further conflict and perhaps some regrets as well. Atticus’ actions in this situation prove furthermore how kindness always wins. Although hate and anger are directed at him, he chooses to see the bigger picture and realizes that by not fighting back, he is saving Mayella and the Ewell children from a possible beating. He understands that Bob Ewell needs to take his frustration out on someone and he would rather it be him than the children. In the long run, this makes Atticus a hero, as he chooses compassion over

Sympathy isn’t always showing pity, you have two choices, you can feel for someone and you can feel with someone. Share how you would feel in the same situation as them, share that common feeling or share an understanding. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, sympathy is portrayed by the author through the characters. No matter racial tensions, class, or morals, the main characters make an impact by doing so with one another. Sympathy is taught by Atticus to Jem and Scout throughout the novel. Sympathy is apparent in Jem with Mrs. Dubose, a lady perceived newly as a hero by ending a life changing addiction before she died. Finally, sympathy is apparent is Scout through Boo Radley, the effect greatly changing her views on not to judge someone based on what they were told by someone else, or in other words: not to judge a book by it’s cover. Throughout the topic discussed in the 1930’s it seems as though there was more time to sympathize with someone. Sympathy was not an act of carrying that is only expressed in such time of need and sorrow like the great depression, however today we lack the courtesy for others to sympathize with them. Atticus tells scout, “You 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. (Lee 39)” In order to sympathize with

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee powerfully analyzes the theme of ‘Compassion versus Insensitivity’, or being sympathetic versus being brutal. He impressively illustrates the shadowy side of human nature, as well as it’s kind and sensitive outlook. Apart from teaching Jem and Scout to develop empathetic and non- bias perspectives towards other people (Contrary to the prejudice views of the rest of the townsfolk), the novel also focuses on teaching Scout how compassion brings about change in the behavior of people or in the society. Atticus is who I feel represents the theme of compassion, for he acts as a defender of the ‘mockingbirds’ or the innocent and defenseless people, in the novel. He is wise and determined to let people know what he believes in and introduces distinct conceptions to justify the actions of Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson.

feel different in Maycomb County. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee examines the theme of prejudice and how when times get rough it brings out the true colors in people. In the novel, Atticus’s sister, Alexandra, comes to live with them for a while, but in the end it turns out to be a bigger mistake than anyone intended. Aunt Alexandra is being prejudice against Calpurnia, the Finches helper.

In the town of Maycomb, a man who stands up against racism forever changes people’s views on racism. Scout, Jem and Atticus Finch all stand together against racism and prejudice in the tiny town of Maycomb. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, in the town of Maycomb, prejudice is a disease, but Jem, Scout, and Dill are immune to this illness because of the people who raise them. For example, when Cecil and Francis told Scout that Atticus is a disgrace to defend Tom Robinson, even though Francis is Scout’s cousin. When Scout and Jem hear the verdict of Tom’s case they both cry and are angry about the sentence while the rest of the town is ecstatic. And finally when Scout doesn’t want Walter Cunningham to come over for dinner because

Analyse how symbolism was used to convey an interesting idea in an extended written text

“Prejudice is a learned trait. You’re not born with it; you’re taught it,” said Charles R Swindoll (Author). Prejudice is incorporated into How to Kill a Mockingbird in many ways. Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Miss Maudie are some of the ways prejudice is shown.

In the story “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the main character Scout realizes the town she lives in is full of bias and prejudice toward negros. Scout, the only daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch, is faced with the activism that follows this prejudice when her father decides to defend a negro, Tom Robinson, in the court of law. She is constantly harassed and tormented by the residence of their small town, Maycom. What Lee is trying to show through these events is that people are always going to have prejudices, and sometimes these prejudices come from the people you least expect it form. In the story, neighbors, friends, and family all show their prejudices about the defendant Tom Robinson to Scout, who finally realize the world isn’t perfect but is, in fact, full of flaws and prejudices.

Prejudice is defined as: “An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.” Harper Lee explores this theme throughout To Kill A Mockingbird with various characters demonstrating or being affected by it, especially because it is set in the turbulent time of 1930s southern USA. In particular, the theme is prominent in the characters Arthur (Boo) Radley, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson. I will begin with Arthur (Boo) Radley.

what a bad father he is and why his family have been given a bad name.

“To Kill a Mocking Bird” is a novel which was written by Harper Lee. In my essay I will discuss how Harper Lee explores the theme of prejudice by looking at the writing techniques and how they affect people.

In Harper Lee’s, To Kill A Mockingbird, The townspeople are very prejudice towards the African-American’s living in Maycomb. Ignorant white people putting labels on all the black people. Through some people’s eyes, African Americans are just filthy being, so this gives them the right to treat them like trash and assume most of them and rapists and bad people. We should not judge someone by the color of their skin but about how they act. Since 1960 till now, America has not come to a point where there was true racial and social equality.

Prejudice, as seen through the eyes of an innocent and well-raised child, is an inexplicable curiosity which she learns of slowly. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author tenaciously explores the moral nature of human beings, especially the struggle in every human soul between discrimination and tolerance. The novel is very effective in not only revealing prejudice, but in examining the nature of prejudice, how it works, and its consequences. Harper Lee accomplishes this by dramatising the main characters', Scout and Jem's, maturing transition from a perspective of childhood innocence. Initially, because they have never seen or experienced evil themselves, they assume that all people are good by nature and tolerant of others. It is not until they see things from more realistic adult perspectives that children are able to confront evil, as well as prejudice, and incorporate it into their understanding of the world.

Trying to do right from wrong was a huge problem in To Kill a Mockingbird. Nobody wanted to stand out from the pack of people who wanted to do wrong except for Atticus Finch. Atticus wanted to show his children, Jem and Scout how to follow their heart and do good deeds. When everyone said to Atticus not to defend Tom Robinson, he did not listen and did what was appropriate to do. Atticus gave Tom a fair chance at court and fought every second for him. He did not care what anyone thought or said about him, he did what was need to do to show his children the correct way of doing things. When Mr.Ewell spat in Atticus’s face, Atticus did not start a fight or stir up drama. He wiped his face and walked away because he knew Jem was watching. Atticus wanted to make the better out of a situation and never the worse. This shows students how distinguish good from bad and right from wrong. You want everyone to see you as a good-hearted and generous person. When you are honest and sincere you make superior choices that are positive for you.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is set in America in the 1930s during the Great Depression, a time of economic decline after World War II. The novel follows a young girl called Scout Finch and her brother Jem as they learn about the prejudice and racism within their society of Maycomb County. The children and their widowed father, Atticus have a unique relationship that includes the teaching of valuable life lessons and unusual, maternal nurturing.