To Kill A Mockingbird Impact On Society

Tom Robinson’s trial was a hard one to watch, but it was so intriguing for the kids. Jem, Dill, and Scout just had to watch, so they left their house without permission to go see their dad defend Tom Robinson against Mayella Ewell. Jem thought that Atticus had a good chance at winning due to his cross-examination questions and the evidence he had. Once all of the jury’s votes came in unanimously as guilty, Jem started to realize what a twisted thing racism was. “I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty … guilty… guilty...guilty” I peeked over at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them” (Lee 282). This quote really shows that Jem cares deeply for the trial and Tom Robinson. He does not understand why people are so rude to black people just because of skin color and he just wants everything to be equal. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered” (Lee 284). Jem’s anger reflected the unfairness towards Tom Robinson and the fact that justice was not served. During the trial Jem never seemed too phased by Bob Ewell’s attorney Mr. Gilmer clearly showing that Tom was worthless, because he thought that his dad was a

> Maycomb, Alabama has a very divided society. Half of Maycomb were fellow colored people and the whites that wanted Maycomb to have equally. Thought many Maycomb citizens were not racist, many were. After Tom Robinson was accused of raping, Mayella, the young white woman the colored community tried to help Tom's family by raising money and trying to help as much as possible. On the other side of Maycomb the word of what Tom was being accused of was spread and Tom was being shamed for something he didn’t do. The ratio of the supporters of Tom and those against were very drastic. Regardless of what Tom and those who wanted to help him find the outcome that was correct for his case the racist white community of Maycomb would overthrow them.

While numerous citizens in Maycomb express how “Atticus[‘s] aim to defend him. [Is] what [we] don’t like about it”(Lee, 218) and that he has “got everything to lose from this... I mean everything.”(Lee, 195) Atticus full heartedly stands behind the fact that if he didn’t defend the Tom Robinson case he “couldn’t hold up [his] head in town... [and] couldn’t represent this county in the legislature.”(Lee, 100) This reveals the moral importance this trial means to Atticus, as he believes that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their skin colour as “men are not to be trusted around women—black or white... a truth that applies to...no particular race of men.”(Lee, 273) Atticus’s personal definition of courage is revealed to Jem after he is forced to read to Mrs Dubose for an entire month. As defined by Atticus, real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”(Lee, 149) Similarly, Atticus’s raw motives concerning the Tom Robinson trial run on the evident fact that he knew he was “licked a hundred years before start[ing]”(Lee, 101) Mr Robinson’s trial, but nonetheless defended him to his last breath. Atticus’s definition and actions correspond and show the reader how his values are congruent, no matter the situation. All in all, Atticus’s personal beliefs and values suggest to the reader

It is seen that now how racism cloud the judgment in Maycomb people toward Tom’s death. Despise how good a citizen he is, it is all useless to prove Tom is innocent with all the crazy idea that acting horrible is black people instinct. Additionally, as Scout realization, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” (Page 245).

Mayella.” An anonymous black man stated. The black community of Maycomb has spoken and wishes for the jury to justify and not prosecute Mr. Tom Robinson. Tom has been known to be a kind hearted man; he lives an honest life and tries to help the community as much as possible. Tom was described by many to be “too thoughtful”, his kind acts have lead to misfortune, instead of receiving gratitude, he receives nothing but criticism and disapproval. “He was taken advantage of, he shouldn’t have helped that worthless famil” a black man stated. Another man states that” Tom is clearly innocent, Sir Atticus has proven that Tom could not have beaten Mayella for his left arm is useless, it is fairly obvious that, her father, Bob beat her and not Tom.” An innocent man turned into a criminal, this is what the black community believes. They believe that the racial society has crossed the line and should be stopped. They think that this case is very important not just for Tom, but the whole community as one, they believe that they should stop succumbing to the leading community of whites. The black communities reverend has also stated” This case should most definitely receive a more fair trial, an all white jury will most definitely work against Tom Robinson” The blacks believe that they have received enough racial discrimination and should fight for their rights. Will Tom Robinson be freed? Can Atticus defend Tom

As Jem was eating Miss Maudie’s cake, she explains to him how Atticus had to have defended Tom because “he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that” (183), showing that Atticus had to be appointed to the case for a reason, and that reason was he's the only person who could get an all-white jury to really think about the conviction of a black man. Normally, an all-white jury would convict a black man for any crime in a significantly shorter amount of time since it’s always a white person’s word against a black person’s word which doesn’t hold strongly in court; nevertheless, Atticus seemed to be able to get to them because the jury took longer than usual to convict a case that would have been quick and effortless. Since he wore out the jury out for that long, Atticus is recognized as the person the good people of Maycomb solely trusts to create the change that their town so desperately needs. As it turns out, Scout thinks “[they’re] making a step—it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step” (183). This depicts how although Atticus lost his case, he did make the jury question if they should really convict a black man which to Scout and presumably other residents of Maycomb is a step in the direction towards change in the deep

After the Tom Robinson trial was over and the jury had pleaded him guilty, Jem cried in anger, this showed innocence because he didn’t understand how the jury could do that to him when they all knew that Tom was innocent. When they were walking home from the trial Jem asked atticus how they could do that to Tom, this showed innocence because by him asking this it shows that Jem would never do anything like that, also it shows that Jem doesn’t understand the social asset of the trial. The morning after the trial Jem was still irritable. When he was irritable it showed how much the trial really affected him. After the jury pleaded Tom Robinson guilty in To Kill a Mockingbird Scout tells us, “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd.” (Lee p242). This quote shows how mad and sad Jem was at the results of the trial. Jem shows innocence because he cried because he didn’t understand how they could do that to someone even when they know that the white man was lying.

During the Great Depression, racism was a common practice in the southern states of the US. Negros and those who opposed the intolerance were often discriminated by the rest of the bias and ignorant society, who believed in white supremacy and superiority over the other races. Maycomb, a racist town, exemplify this discrimination, imperiously judging others they view as being dissimilar from themselves. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author, weaves a brilliant story of prejudice, discrimination, and racism shown through the novel’s several characters and events, producing a mirror reflection of America’s racist society in the 1930’s.

During Tom Robinson’s trial, the strong prejudice of Maycomb County and the negative effects of its social stratification were clearly demonstrated. Whilst Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime of rape, he gave the Caucasians more reason to convict him on the basis of daring to feel sorry for a Caucasian - it is not expected that a negro (considered as being a part of the lowest class of society, event lower than the ‘white trash’) could feel sorry for a Caucasian and the Caucasians could not accept such a presumption.

Society influenced every character in To Kill a Mockingbird in many more ways than one. People in the everyday world feel the stress and pressure of the world to conform to its standards, even if those standards aren’t who the people see themselves as being. Harper Lee and her protagonist, Scout, in To Kill a Mockingbird truly capture how, in such a short time, society can pressure playful girls into becoming the standard southern bell or rowdy boys into men. In the days of this setting, people weren't always given a choice or option of who they wanted to be. Too often in that time children were pressured to be exactly how they were expected to be in society. Men and women traded the flow of children's creativity for conformity instead.

He implies if one does not follow their conscience will, they will live overwhelmed by guilt. Here, the moral of human beings is threatened by the recurring subject of racism, as well as discrimination issues. Jem is an epitome of a corrupted person as he justifies that Atticus is wrong because everyone else thinks so. Nevertheless, he finds himself after the testimony is given. When it comes time for the trial, Jem follows it closely. Having grown up in the home of a lawyer, Jem understands the workings of the courtroom, besides its racial bias. Once the judge goes over the evidence, Jem becomes increasingly confident that Atticus won but his belief that Tom is innocent contrasts with what actually occurs: Tom is found guilty. While looking at Jem, Scout sees how his “shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them.” By comparing Jem’s reaction to a “stab,” Lee not only shows Jem receiving blows of devastation over the case and feeling physically attacked but also points to the broader attack on things that Jem thought were once true. This is something that causes him great emotional pain as he has a hard time coming to terms with general unfairness. Jem has counted on the strength of bigotry but in

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is a very controversial, yet influential book in American history. The book is based around two, sometimes three, children, and their adventures in the county in which they live. On the website vic.edu.au, the book is reviewed in depth, and one of the main points is the upbringing of children. This novel has influenced today's society by showing how neglect, cruelty, and uninterest can damage a childhood, while tolerance, reason, and compassion do more to raise a child.

This is seen when Tom Robinson’s rape trial has ended and the jury is deliberating on his fate. Jem, a young boy ignorant of the evil and hatred existing in Maycomb, is confident that the jury will acquit Robinson, saying to Scout, ““He’s just gone over the evidence,” Jem whispered, “and we’re gonna win, Scout. I don’t see how we can’t.”” Yet Atticus, wiser to the maliciousness present in society, is far less optimistic. When Jem asks, “You think they’ll acquit him that fast?”, Atticus “[opens] his mouth to answer, but [shuts] it and [leaves Scout and Jem],” a clear sign that he doesn’t expect the jury to decide in favor of Tom Robinson. When the jury inevitably finds Robinson guilty, Jem is stunned and horrified. Lee writes, “[Jem’s] hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them,” showing that Jem views the ballots as horrific on a deeply personal level. This unpleasant surprise influences Jem to view Maycomb in a harsher, more bitter light. He says to Miss Maudie, “I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like,” showing his increasing disillusionment towards the town and its inhabitants. Yet Atticus, despite having witnessed those same events, is able to retain his faith in

After watching the trial, Jem saw that the people of Maycomb were being unjust to Tom Robinson and giving the Ewells an unfair advantage. “There’s something in this world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn’t be fair even if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a black man’s word against a white man’s, the white man always wins.” (pg. 117) Jem knows that everyone should be treated fairly. When he was younger he did not understand why this was. Now, he is now exposed to the amount of racism that the South has. Atticus has taught him to stay strong through the tough times and to always treat people with respect no matter the color of his skin. Towards the end of the trial Jem was sure that Atticus and Tom Robinson had won the case. However, the rest of Maycomb was on Mayella and Mr. Ewell’s side which made him very frustrated. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner square where we found atticus waiting.” (pg. 113) He knows it’s not right to not believe a man’s word because of the color of his skin.

During the process of the trial, Jem experiences his coming of age and lost innocence moment by opening his eyes to the racism he is constantly surrounded by. When Tom Robinson lost the trial, Jem instantly matured and realized how racism in Maycomb was the only reason Tom lost. After Tom was declared guilty, the kids walked with Atticus, “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. ‘It ain’t right’” (Lee, 1960, p. 284). Throughout the entirety of the trial, Jem was blinded by his innocence and thought there was no possible way that Tom could lose the trial. It was the moment when the jury declared Tom Robinson guilty that Jem lost his innocence and started opening his eyes to the world. This quote illustrates how frustrated Jem was by the unfairness of the trial. Jem now understands the only reason Tom Robinson lost the trial was because of his skin color. Due to his young age, he had not yet succumb to the disease of Maycomb and realized racism is not right. Furthermore, when Tom Robinson lost the trial, Jem’s perspective of Maycomb changed Jem is left to understand the reality of people’s biased opinions. When talking to Miss Maudie, Jem described to her, “‘It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a