To Kill A Mockingbird Social Justice Essay

There are countless people who judge others by their image or the words whispered by friends. This has been true since people have begun interacting with one another. Indeed, people feel the need to categorize everything and everyone leading to stereotyping and bias based upon appearances. In today’s society, there are many incidents involving racial and gender inequality demonstrating that little has changed since the 1960s. In this novel, Scout Finch, a young girl, recounts her life as she observes social concerns including racism and prejudice. When her father Atticus, a criminal attorney, agrees to defend an innocent black man, Scout comes to realize that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Appropriately, Scout and her brother Jem learn not to judge others as a result of interactions with three characters that they encounter throughout their childhood. Boo Radley, known as the town’s ‘evil monster’, Mrs. Dubose, an elderly, ill-tempered woman who lives near the Finches and Tom Robinson, an African-American man being accused of raping a white woman that is being defended by their father, all teach the children that character is not a reflection of one’s outwards appearance. As such, through knowing these people and their circumstances, Scout and Jem’s sense of social justice and fairness matures. It is through their eyes that Harper Lee, in To Kill a Mockingbird, demonstrates the immorality of judging others without consideration of who they are and what

Martin Luther King Jr. famously said “I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. Even though Atticus Finch is not black, he still thinks they same way as Martin Luther King Jr. and still wants the same for his children: a society with equality for all races. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, he delivers a persuasive speech in order to free an innocent black man. Even though he does not win the case, Atticus succeeds in making an impact on the future of racism in Maycomb. By using logic in his closing speech, Atticus forces the town to examine their awareness of the prejudice in their own lives.

The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is centered around the racism and injustice in the American South in the 1930’s. It focuses on a young Alabama girl named Scout, and her father, who is defending an innocent black man accused of rape. In her book, Harper Lee reveals the idea of empathy, through quotes such as, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). In the book, Atticus Her writing exemplifies the theme that empathy helps people better understand the motives and actions of others, through juxtaposition, symbolism, and stereotype revelations.

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents Atticus Finch as a principled lawyer, committed but single father to Scout and Jem, and a law-abiding citizen. Atticus is a respectable gentleman in society and a role model for his children. Throughout the book we see evidence of his honorable intentions, though he doesn’t seem to reap the rewards. He is morally upstanding, even-keeled, and daring. Because of these things, Atticus is a man who deserves great respect and admiration.

It is rare to find a courageous and sympathetic person who is willing to stand against social injustice. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents this rare hero. He is a lawyer and a single parent to his kids Jem and Scout. He understands that society should not be black and white and helps those who are mistreated. Not only does Atticus demonstrate acts of courage and empathy, he is also an excellent role model to his children. Atticus represents the qualities of a true hero by exposing injustice, and through courageous and sympathetic activities, teaching his children moral values.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). Atticus Finch says these words to his daughter, Scout, after he elucidates to her why it is important to not be quick to judge a book by its cover . In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird, the main conflicts are centered around prejudice. In the tiny town of Maycomb, everybody is set on tradition and there is no room for oddity. Atticus Finch breaks down the walls that everybody else builds up about first and lasting impressions, slowly but surely. Atticus Finch is a discreet example of practicing equality because he espouses the outcasts of Maycomb.

1) Atticus is an empathetic person who tries to make sure people are treated equally, and in the case of his children, that people should grow up and make a positive difference. Atticus shows his empathy by telling Scout to try to understand what Miss Caroline is going through. Harper Lee is trying to show that with empathy, everyone benefits, and there would be less hate and injustice. Atticus says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39). Atticus is telling Scout to look at the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, to see why Miss Caroline reacts the way that she does. Atticus believes that if Scout can see how scared Miss Caroline is, with teaching a new school in a new way, then Scout can understand what makes Miss Caroline act the way that she does. When Scout asks Atticus why he is angering the town by defending Tom Robinson, he says that he must, or else he would no longer be reputable. Atticus says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 101) Atticus leads by example, and that if he did not hold himself to the same standard that he wants Scout and Jem to be at, then he is no better than the rest of the town. He knows that he is going to lose, but wants to show his children that it is important to do the right thing no matter the consequences or result, and

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characterization to express that passion and honesty are the keys to achieving social justice. Harper Lee presents the idea that passion is revealed when someone stands up for what is right even when others think it is wrong. Atticus’s character reinforces his passion when he goes against what everyone else believes. Although Atticus knows he will not win, he does his best to defend Tom Robinson saying, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (p.101). By Atticus being passionate about standing up for what is right, he does his best to achieve social justice. Although everyone else says he should not defend Tom Robinson, Atticus explains

“To Kill a Mockingbird” Justice Essay Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus is constantly striving for justice. Atticus is a lawyer who strongly believes in doing the right thing. He has two children, Jem and Scout, who he believes should be taught complete honesty and fairness. Atticus is a vital character of the story who always shows his aspects on what he feels life should be lived. Throughout the novel, Atticus defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman, treats everyone equally, and is truthful.

In Harper Lee’s novel, the author shares many prejudices and different stereotyping that used to happen in that time period. These different prejudices include racial stereotyping, segregation, and slavery that used to be a reality years ago. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee shows how people were treated, and also explains that Atticus, the lawyer for Tom Robinson, despite being verbally attacked by other members of the community stood up for him even though he knew people would think poorly of him.

There is always someone who will push against the current. The character, Atticus Finch, in the fictional novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of these people. Atticus plays a major role in the story, becoming the voice of reason and the symbol for justice. Atticus is a single parent trying to raise his children right

Mahatma Gandhi lead India to independence, Martin Luther King Jr spoke out against segregation, and Rosa parks stood against racism. All three of these influential leaders followed their beliefs against society. Just as these three leaders stuck to their morals, Harper Lee displays a similar message. In the realistic Fiction novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, By Harper Lee, the story is about an older brother and a younger sister experiencing life in a racist, southern town. In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Harper Lee asserts that following self morality will allow one to have a deeper understanding of themselves and society. This motif is shown through the slang diction of the town, the symbolism through the mockingbirds, and the Bildungsroman of Scout.

As one of the most influential characters in literary history, Atticus Finch sparked dialogue and disagreement still evident in society today. While Harper Lee clearly intended her character to reflect the ideal personality to counter racism, some of his aspects receive criticisms of numerous kinds. From political controversy to issues surrounding integrity, Atticus does not escape the strict standards of modern literary criticism. But despite several character flaws, Atticus still represents a wholesome man that everyone should emulate. Because of his thirst for justice, undeniable integrity, and unshakeable foundations, Atticus Finch demonstrates the proper way anyone should react to the face of prejudice.

To begin with one of the most major lessons Harper Lee submerges in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird would be the problem of race in America. Harper Lee throughout the novel is continuing to make people realize that people are people, no matter what race they are or social class. But this concept of one race being lesser than another in this novel shows the problem of everyone being equal in America is a lie. This can be concluded from the

Harper Lee uses her novel to teach us important lessons from the characters presented in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus, a fair and moral character, whose parenting style is unique, lined with honest and example, teaches us to follow his ways. Scout, an innocent girl who teaches us what’s important in life. Tom Robinson, someone who is ostracized for being African American, can teach us the importance of equal treatment and awakens us to our surrounding society. Lee’s construction of characters gives us perspective to issues in our society today, how they still matter and what we can learn from the novel such as compassion, justice and understanding.