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To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes Analysis

Decent Essays

Sophie Landry 3/28/24 Honors English 10 Audrey McBride Childhood Loss of Innocents Can you remember an event that caused you to lose your innocence or change your worldview? In Dear Martin and To Kill a Mockingbird, loss of innocence is explored as the central theme, and both authors illustrate how the harsh realities of racial injustice and social prejudice shatter the naivety of the young adults. In To Kill a Mockingbird, we watch Jem's understanding of racism deepen, ending his childhood innocence. Similarly, in Dear Martin we see Jystice struggling to understand his role in society after being racially profiled. This essay will delve into how these characters' experiences reflect broader social issues and contribute to our understanding …show more content…

Like somethin' asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that's what they seemed like.” This quote shows Jem’s realization that racism is happening everywhere, even in his town. The trial of Tom Robinson showed Jem the ugly side of things, the racism, and injustice that's been in Maycomb the whole time. Contrastingly, Justyce's loss of innocence is captured when he reflects, “I thought if I made myself better, that stuff wouldn't affect me.” Justyce realizes that individual achievement might not protect him from racial bias and discrimination. It's a tough but crucial moment where he learns that systemic issues are bigger than personal success, which is a big wake-up call and a loss of innocence on its way. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the setting of the Great Depression and the deep-seated racism that was present during that time shaped Jem’s realization of Maycomb's imperfections. The Tom Robinson trial brought the debate of racism to the forefront of the town, this prompted Jem to think deeply about his …show more content…

There’s the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes. The thing about it is, our kind of folks don’t like the Cunninghams, the Cunninghams don’t like the Ewells, and the Ewells hate and despise the colored folks.”(Lee 226) Contrastingly, Dear Martin places Jystice in the modern era, where the rapid spread of information through social media and news outlets brings the issue of racial discrimination to the forefront in a more immediate way.” Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in the thought that I'm considered a threat." This line reflects Justyce's realization of how he's perceived by society and the role media plays in shaping that narrative, contributing to his loss of innocence. After Tom Robinson's trial, Jem struggles to grasp why the court made their decision. Atticus’s explanation is “In our court, when it’s a white man's word against a black man, the white man always wins” (Lee 220). This quote reveals to Jem that the legal system is

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