To Kill A Mockingbird Hypocrisy Analysis

Bob Ewell is a wretched, two-faced, conniving most unworthy person to have the gift of life in all of Alabama. He drinks a lot, does not bother to work, and he just collects welfare checks and spends them on alcohol. Harper Lee wrote, “a little bantam cock of a man . . . A shock of wispy new-washed hair stood up from his forehead; his nose was thin, pointed, and shiny; he had no chin to speak of—it seemed to be part of his crepey neck”(Lee 227) Harper describes Bob Ewell as a apathetic, tipsy, Neanderthal that can’t keep a job to save his skin. During Tom Robinson’s trial Bob Ewell tried to say that he beat his daughter Mayella and then raped her; when in in reality Bob Ewell is the one who beat Mayella. Another reason Bob Ewell is terrible person is at the end of the story when he tried to kill Scout and Jem. Harper Lee had wrote, “What is it, Heck? Said Atticus. Mr. Tate found his neck and rubbed it. Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch. (Lee 357). Mr. Ewell had aimed to kill Scout and Jem but Mr. Author James Radley, more commonly known as Boo Radley, saved their lives. Mr. Ewell was mad at Atticus because he knew that it wasn’t Tom who beat Mayella and raped her, so Bob Ewell saw that he could get back at Atticus by taking the lives if the two most important people in the world to him. Bob Ewell illustrates the dark side of

When describing the reasoning behind his decision, he tells Scout that “The main [reason] is, if I didn 't I couldn 't hold up my head in town, I couldn 't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn 't even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 83). Atticus feels that he is morally obligated to accept the Tom Robinson trial because it is his duty to do right by the town, county and his children. He believes that if he did not take the trial he would be unable to preach values and morals without feeling hypocritical for not following his own words and advice. Atticus’s strong sense of morals and values allow for him to be

José Emilio Pacheco says “We are all hypocrites. We cannot see ourselves or judge ourselves the way we see and judge others.” Hypocrisy is demonstrated and observed on an everyday basis in our society, and even in the rural town of Maycomb in the 1930s it is evident as well. In To Kill a Mockingbird, two children by the names of Scout and Jem start to see hypocrisy more and more frequently because of the events that happen to unfold. This includes , including an african american young man accused of something he did not do. This amazing novel by Harper Lee shows that hypocrisy is closely linked to privilege, and a dominating opinion about others. The characters Miss Gates and Mrs. Merriweather are great examples of hypocrisy and Atticus is a great counterexample, showing an effort of being larger than others in Maycomb.

In the classic novel of To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee in the 1960’s, irony has been used to reveal Maycomb’s true intentions of racism, prejudice and hypocrisy. As described by the author, “small old town” seems ideal and peaceful on the surface, but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the town is biased and racist. The irony helps the reader understand the actual hypocritical views of the story’s characters. Few novels have had an impact on American culture but Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an exception. One of the most influential read works of American fiction, and perhaps one of the most beloved, it reached its 50th anniversary of its publication. The novel has sold over 30 million copies in 40 languages

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, said, “I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” If more people would aspire to Harper Lee’s idea of folks, there would be less prejudice and resulting hypocrisy in the world. People are people, no matter their skin color, socio-economic status or educational level and deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. Hypocrisy happens when one claims to have high moral beliefs and virtues without consistent behaviors. To Kill A Mockingbird is the story of Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus set in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Atticus is a lawyer and has agreed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white girl, Mayella

An award winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird was brilliantly written by author Harper Lee, intertwining multiple themes to create a classic piece of American literature to represent white southern ethics of the 1930s. A common theme throughout the novel, hypocrisy is a method for Harper Lee to communicate an underlying message to readers. Hypocrisy reflects how societies, communities and the church benefits from it as a means for being ignorant of oneself’s wrongdoings and sins, placing blame elsewhere as a matter of cynical pride, no doubt hurting others in the process. An example of a character who effectively represents southern hypocrisy is Miss Mayella Ewell, who cynically condemns Tom Robinson to preserve the little remains of her

The ability to help Tom knowing that many people would disrespect him was brave and kind. Atticus places his principals before his pride as he states, “Scout I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t help that man.” (pg 114). He believes that if he did not, “[he] couldn’t even tell Jem [or Scout] not to do something again.” (pg 82).

Scout is very confused about the case and is asking Atticus why he is doing this. She tells him that people and very controversial about it and doesn't understand why he would risk losing friends and other people in his life. In the novel, Lee stated, “but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself.” (Lee 142). Atticus did not care about who he would and wouldn't keep as friends. He knew that this was the right thing to do if he wanted to follow what he believes in. Atticus was sure that the people that supported him as a person even if he was supporting Tom and they didn't agree with the case would stay as very loyal friends and family. The town of Maycomb for the most part did not support the case and that meant that their views on Atticus changed, but he didn't care. After the case had been settled and Tom was found “guilty”, the kids and Atticus headed home. After they got their, Jem confronted Aunty about the case and why Atticus was having such a hard time dealing with Tom loosing. Aunt Alexandra says that the case took Atticus by surprise and was “a little too strong” for him. Atticus was having a hard time dealing with the fact that he wasn't able to win the case. He knew he had a very good argument, but he was feeling a lot of doubt

The famous philosopher and motivational speaker Wayne Dyer once stated that “If you can change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”. To be able to change the perspective of a person is to change the perspective of the entire world. No one can fully understand how someone behaves until they understand a perspective other than their own. In To Kill a Mockingbird, many characters have made judgements before they can fully understand the truth. The book is set in a town called Maycomb during the Great Depression, which was a severe economic downturn in the 1930s, which caused starvation and unemployment throughout the United States. The town is a very close community, but not everyone living there understands each other’s

Atticus was offered the job of defending Tom Robinson by the sheriff and he accepted. This led to him and his children to be taunted and threatened. In chapter 16, Scout finally realized why Atticus had to take the job. “Atticus had to, whether he wanted to or not….He had to, that’s why he was doing it, equaled fewer fights and less fussing. But did that explain the town’s attitude? The court appointed Atticus to defend him. Atticus aimed to defend him. That’s what they didn’t like about it.(pg 218)” In this quote, she informs us on Atticus’ reason to defend Tom and why it was so controversial. From it, we draw that Atticus was not supposed to try during the trial and this was what caused all the sideway glances and name-calling to be thrown at the family. By choosing to defend Tom to the best of his ability, Atticus went against the racially prejudiced Maycomb. This teaches Scout to never give up, even if the end result will not be in your favor and the process is painful. As long as you are doing the right thing, you must persevere and push

This is demonstrated when Scout’s teacher, Miss Stephanie, exclaims that she is deeply offended by Hitler’s prejudice mindset, yet goes against her morals after the trial. This reveals that Miss Stephanie is enveloped in a hypocritical mentality as she appears relieved after Tom Robinson’s conviction. Another example of this mentality is illustrated when Aunt Alexandra’s missionary circle is over, and Mrs. Merryweather declares, “Hypocrites, Mrs. Perkins, born hypocrites. At least we don’t have that sin on our shoulders down here,” (313). This situation perfectly exposes the absurd amount of hypocrisy in Maycomb, due to the fact being that Mrs. Merryweather had just finished insulting the other race a few pages before. A final case of hypocrisy is shown when the reader learns that white people rent out the black church on weekdays for gambling purposes. Church, a place reserved for prayer, and a very significant place for Christian folk is being disrespected. Despite following the same God, a detail the white population disregards, somehow the black church is less important than the other race’s. Amongst other things, the reader is able to see that racism corrupts the white mentality through the renting of the church and Scout’s primary

In To Kill a Mockingbird, many characters hold on to righteous, “moral” beliefs while acting in the contrary. In chapter 26, Aunt Alexandra holds a house party for all the ladies in the town. Scout joins in, invited by her aunt, who sees a chance to teach Scout to be more ladylike. Her next-chair tablemate, Mrs. Merriwea`ther, talks about the poor, uneducated, savage “darkies” in Africa, and tells about how she is devoted to helping them as a good Christian lady. However, once the conversation turns to their black servants, Mrs. Farrow says “we can try ‘till we drop to make Christians out of ‘em, but there isn’t a lady safe in her bed these nights” (311). The stark contrast between wanting to help the Africans in the jungles to feeling minorly disgusted with the ones in Maycomb makes Scout become aware of the racial hypocrisy. Mrs. Maudie also points out a different type of hypocrisy with the ladies, who

In her coming-of-age novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores how the precocious protagonist, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, struggles to fit into her role as a lady and has a difficult time coming to terms of the cruelty as well as the injustice her Southern town displays through discrimination. Scout resides with her family in Maycomb County, Alabama in the 1930s--a town severely divided by color. She goes through a breathtaking metamorphosis throughout the novel when her father Atticus defends a Negro man accused of rape, exposing her to the true roots of human behavior. Through the use of settings, characterization, and ironies, Lee implies that hypocrisy is a tragic act to be involved in; it can

Bob Elwell is also bitter, threatening Atticus in public and spitting in his face. Atticus tells the kids that the only person on the jury willing to acquit Tom was a relative of the Mr. Cunningham Scout had faced down in the lynch mob. One day Atticus comes home in the middle of one of Aunt Alexandra’s tea parties with bad news: Tom has been shot and killed while trying to escape from prison. Atticus takes Calpurnia and goes to break the news to Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife. Atticus is too tired (or so he says) to attend Scout’s Halloween pageant. When Jem is carried in unconscious, Atticus first tends to him, then calls Heck Tate. Atticus at first wants Jem to undergo legal proceedings for stabbing Ewell because he doesn’t want it to seem like he’s covering anything up, but Heck Tate convinces

The Importance of good training was a subject utilized significantly as a part of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Jem and scout gained from Calpurnia , atticus and numerous different characters about existence, and opputunities later on. They taught them life lessons focused around what they knew. All through To Kill a Mockingbird, moral instruction assumed a critical part in the over convoluted social position of Maycomb, for showing Jem and Scout life lessons that they could use as direction for a lifetime.