Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird we can see multiple kinds of love, and how they affected all the characters in the story. First we can see Mayella's need for love and how it helps her decisions. Atticus then shows his love for Tom by defending him. Then Boo Radley shows his love by saving Jem and Scout. Even though these are different types of love, they all impact the story in a huge way.
One reason why I think love is the theme of To Kill A Mockingbird is because Tom Robinson's fake crime was started because the need for love. Mayella Ewell is was a lonely girl, and she wanted love very badly, because she never got it at home. When she tries to get love and get attention from Tom by trying to kiss him, she gets denied so she tries to get back at him by lying and telling Heck Tate that Tom raped her. If Mayella's didn't feel as if she was neglected at home and lacked the feel of love, then she would have never felt the need to try to get Tom's attention, that means that he would have never been accused of this crime he never even committed. This also not the only time Tom will be involved in an act of love.
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Atticus didn't have to defend Tom but he goes on to say that if he didn't defend him, he wouldn't be able to live with it. That showed that Atticus actually cares for Tom and is worried about what will happen to Tom after the case. Atticus believes as if it's his duty to defend the Tom and by Atticus doing this it displays an act of love. This was an expected act of love for Attics. However, some acts of love can be very
Tom Robinson is wrongfully convicted of rape and eventually killed in prison, whereas Boo Radley is killed emotionally because he is not accepted by society. Since it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a sin to kill innocent souls like Tom and Boo. When Scout tries to understand why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, Miss Maudie elucidates Atticus’s opinion more clearly by stating, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). Mockingbirds sing and make beautiful music; however they mimic the songs of other birds, so they are seen through others. Tom and Boo are like mockingbirds because they are subject to the perceptions of the people of Maycomb. The townspeople knew these characters based on what others said about them. Consequently, Tom and Boo do not have their own “song” and are portrayed by others’ views of them. The mockingbird emerges as a metaphor for the wrong in harming innocent and defenseless people.
Initially written as a simple love story, To Kill a Mockingbird is regarded by many to be one of the finest examples of classical American literature; it is a compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving tale. This novel delves deep into the readers thoughts and paradigms, for it exposes such ingrained aspects of human behavior and consciousness - ideals/themes of innocence and experience, love and hatred, justice and racism, courage and cowardice, and many more. Nonetheless, at it's core To Kill a Mockingbird is, as the author Harper Lee puts it, a "love story, pure and simple". There are many diverse yet interconnected love stories in To Kill a Mockingbird. However, the most prominent one is the relationship between Atticus, a righteous
If he did not defend Tom, he would not be his usual character, a man that does what is right. So, he decides to defend Tom. An example of Atticus doing what he believes is right, besides defending Tom, is when he demands that Jem reads to their neighbor, the not so neighborly, Mrs.Dubose. Mrs. Dubose says things things to Jem and Scout such as, “‘Don’t you say hey to me, you ugly girl! You say good afternoon, Mrs. Dubose’”
Some might question if it made sense for Atticus to do this; but based off of Atticus's personality it most certainly does make sense for him to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus is a compassionate and caring man, even the lessons he teaches his children, Scout and Jem; reflect his personality. Atticus
Harper Lee’s best-selling novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a book with many themes and ideas across the whole thing. Some of them are hidden in characters’ quotes. One character that has many of these “hidden themes”, is Atticus Finch. His quotes display the real meaning of To Kill a Mockingbird because he is very loving and forgiving. Which I believe is the real theme of the novel, love.
Atticus should have defend Tom Robinson because he was being a good example, he knew Tom was innocent, and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn’t defend him. This matters to Tom Robinson because he could go to prison if Atticus didn't help
Atticus did the right thing by standing up for Tom, because he was an innocent man and he shouldn’t be imprisoned for what he didn’t do. Atticus knew and believed this and he did whatever he could to save Tom Robinson “ “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson…” “(Lee, CH.25). This shows us that Atticus truly wanted to save Tom and he knew that Tom was an innocent man. If Atticus wouldn’t have stood up for Tom the chances are no one else would and Tom would never have a chance of freedom. Atticus also knew that Tom was innocent when Tom began to explain that he was sorry for Mayella “ “felt right sorry for her” “(Lee, CH. ?). This shows that Tom was truly innocent because if he wasn’t a black man would never say that they felt sorry for a white women. This helped Atticus understand that he was innocent, and made it the right thing to do when standing up for him. Atticus also knew Tom as a friend, they were always kind to each other and never treated the each other any different from the other. Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and when guarding Tom’s cell at the jail Atticus stood by him the entire night. “ “Mr. Finch? “A soft husky voice came from the darkness above: “They gone?” Atticus stepped back and looked up. They’ve gone,” he said. “Get some sleep, Tom. They won’t bother you any more.” “ (CH. 15). This shows that Atticus truly cares for Tom and if Atticus
It took an unimaginable amount of courage for Atticus to take the Tom Robinson case knowing he and his children would be harassed by all the other townspeople. For instance, when “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water tank” (105). Also, Atticus knew he had a very low chance of succeeding in winning the case, but he took it anyways. He knows the town will think differently about him solely because he is defending a black man. He also knows that his children will be shown a lot of hatred. Even knowing this, Atticus takes the case and tries his best. Not only did he know he would take hatred, he also knew he would lose. But, he knew this case would define who he was “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally”(96). While talking to the Judge he knows that he will most likely not win, but that does not change his mind. He knows just because Tom Robinson is black that he will not win. The Jury will see the white man who claims his white daughter was raped and believe him with no doubt. No matter what Atticus says to try to change the jury’s mind, he knows he can only try his best. To summarize, Atticus shows courage knowing not only that the town would hate him, but also that he would lose the
Being that Greece was admire for its political, economic and cultural aspects, the Greek polis played a significant role in influencing western society. Without the polis, Greek Civilization would be extremely less significant and influential on the Western world. Urbanization had begun a significant process by 8th century BCE. Eventually, thousands of poleis existed within the Greek world (in important places such as Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Aegina, Sparta, Argos and many more). A polis was not just a place of living or a system of government, it was the pride and spirit of the Greek people.
Atticus Finch is remarkably courageous throughout the novel. Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face, goes to Tom’s cell knowing there would be a mob, and does his best in court to exonerate Tom. Firstly, Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus says “ ‘...if spitting in my face saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take’ ” (Lee 218). Atticus is being disrespected in one of the worst ways by a man he could destroy, but knows that he was helping a victim of abuse, Mayella, so he does not make things worse by retaliating. Secondly, Atticus knows there is a mob coming, but nevertheless goes to Tom Robinson’s cell to defend him. Atticus knows the possibly dangerous mob is coming, with Scout observing “He seemed to be expecting them” (150). However, Atticus recognizes that he is Tom’s only hope, and utilizes his immense courage to face the mob. Thirdly, Atticus does his best to defend Tom in court. As Scout tells us, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241). Atticus knows from the beginning he has next to no chance to win the trial, but still tries for Tom’s sake, for the other black people in the community, and for the chance he could appeal it and change laws for the good of African Americans. Atticus is an amazing example of courage in the face of adversity for his actions in To Kill A Mockingbird.
The reason that Atticus is defending Tom in which he explained to Scout many times before ; the reason he is defending Tom Robinson is because he believes in justice and that everyone is equal you can just say he believe in equality . He is not just defending Tom because he is black . He told Scout that if he does not defending him he could not be a man that he wants to be he would just be a man without anything : for example we would lack respect for himself . He just would not be the man that he wants to be.
The mockingbird also extends to relationships between human beings. Some people are gentle and would never harm anyone, like a mockingbird. Yet, there are people who unjustly see past the kindness and simply see what they want to see or what society tell them to see, this leads to issues about race and sex among others. These people then become prejudice towards certain people and may even ‘kill’ the people who are genuinely kind human beings simply because they are different in their opinions, looks or behaviors’, therefore not diseased like everyone else. Lee reveals the ruthless and cruel views, reactions and opinions that the town hold toward Tom and Boo to illustrate the prejudice relationships that occur between
When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a generally prejudiced town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black man's word over a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what people thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do.
In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author explores the issue of justice using the symbol of the mockingbird. Placed in, the 1930s, a time of great depression and inequality, the book presents injustice acts to the most kind yet blamed citizens of the town Maycomb. The symbolism of the mockingbird and the characters are essential for the message of Harper Lees novel because the kind, but African-American Tom Robinson is unfairly put on trial for the “rape” of Mayella Ewell. Also, Arthur “Boo” Radley is victimized by the rumors the towns people have created about him, forcing him to live alone inside his house with his brother, Nathan Radley. Lastly Atticus Finch, is known by the town for being a good human being and sticking
A political cartoon is an illustration that contains messages either politically or socially that relate in a light way to current events or people. In this case it is showing the Republican Party’s view, if a lame duck president should nominate a new Supreme Court Justice. Republicans are shown as elephants a symbol of the party. It shows the irony between not wanting him to nominate and not wanting to look like the bad one. Using imagery, irony and some physical, descriptive elements, Dan Wasserman explains the giant rift between President Obama and the Republican Party.