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To Kill A Mockingbird And Mississippi Burning Analysis

Decent Essays

“To Kill a Mockingbird”, written by Harper Lee and “Mississippi Burning” directed Alan Parker can be compared and contrasted with each other. Both texts share many themes especially the theme of prejudice where one group of people had bigoted views against another. It is shown in the form of racism throughout the two stories where whites discriminate the blacks. In the town of Maycomb and Mississippi, there is bias, discrimination and injustice between the blacks and whites. Both Harper Lee and Alan Parker explore this theme of prejudice through what their characters stand for, the events that took place during both text and the context behind both stories.
Atticus and Mr Ward are dedicated to supporting people who are subjected to racism. Atticus and Mr Ward and Mr Anderson stand for the justice of blacks. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man, to try to prove him innocent even though people call him a ‘nigger lover’ and also has the disadvantage in the trial. “The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells… The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells.” With the odds against him, Atticus still persist in giving Tom Robinson the fair trial he deserves. Mr Ward is also the same, he believe in justice for all. “You don’t have the guts.”(Anderson)…”Not only do I HAVE the guts, I have the AUTHORITY!”(Ward). Mr Ward was willing to change his own ways to help the black people of Mississippi. They both made a significant attempt to give the black people of Maycomb and Mississippi justice, they both had to overcome hardships to do what they believed what was right.

Furthermore, both text have events that are similar which explore the theme of prejudice. In both stories there are two court scenes one where Tom Robinson is trial for the rape of Mayella Ewell and the other was where a groups of white men are trialled for bombing a black man’s house. “In this country, courts are the great levellers and in our courts all men are created equal.” However Tom Robinson was innocent but only could get another trial and the white men were guilty but had their sentence suspended. “In our courts when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s the white man

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