To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Essay examples

The Ewells are seen as lazy, and Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, saying that the Ewells had been a shame to Maycomb County, living like animals, and not even wanting an education (Lee 40). Atticus even says of how the family is special as they can hunt out of season (Lee 41). Bob Ewell, Burris’ father, is known but not reported by the county to not feed his children from the welfare checks given by the state. He simply uses their checks on alcohol for his own uses. Maycomb County simply ignores the Ewells thinking that is family business and it should not be messed with. This also does get helped as the Ewells live near the black community. Even if the Ewells are a white family, they are barely seen as higher class than black society. They are known to not use the proper term of the time, Negro, but the more racist

They are, and have been, the rudest and most disrespectful family in Maycomb for three generations. An example of this would be Burris Ewell. When attending class on the first day, he frightens the teacher with his state of uncleanliness. Scout even states that he, “was the filthiest human I had ever seen…His neck was dark gray… his fingernails were black” (Lee 29). When the teacher tries to send him home to clean up, Burris meanly tells her that this is the one and only day that he is ever going to come to school, leaving her distraught and in tears. In addition to talking back, Burris and his family resist going to school. They only go on the first day because the truant lady threatens to report them to the police. The whole family seems to follow their own set of rules instead of society. Their dad, Bob Ewell, hunts in the winter, which is against the law, and gets away with it because his kids would starve otherwise. In addition, the Ewell family doesn’t have a mother to set them right, which is mostly why Burris and all of his siblings only show up for the first day of school, the rest of the year is spent “Living like animals” (Lee 33). I must say that I agree with Atticus when he says, “the Ewells had been the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations” (Lee 33). The family has been judged poorly by society for reasons such as disrespectfulness, and discourtesy to

During your confrontations with Scout in Maycomb, you bring up the various points about Scout’s actions and how they are not pleasing to you, such as being friends with Walter Cunningham, and wearing breeches and overalls. During all of this, you bring up the problematic assumption of how she should dress and behave because of the gender roles which surround society. You first make this assumption when you are with Scout during christmas, when you said that Scout could never hope to be a lady because she wears breeches. This caused Scout to be more volatile, which led to Scout fighting Francis. Another time when you make this assumption is when you talk to Scout about Walter. You assume that Scout will pick up Walters bad habits which will ruin the Finch family name. This led to Scout resenting you even more than before. The last time you made the assumption is when Atticus talks to Scout and Jem about acting better because the Finches were created from generations of breeding. This led to Scout again resenting you, and even taking some of it out on Jem through fighting.

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, deals with the important issues of racial prejudices and social injustice. The story takes place in the small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama during the years 1933 to 1935 and is told through the eyes of a six year old girl, Scout Finch. Although racism is very common in Maycomb County, Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, tries to instill good moral values in his children. He wants Scout and her brother Jem to know the difference from right and wrong, treat all people equally and accept them for who they are regardless of their race. Lee shows that stereotypes and racial prejudices are typically passed down within a family; that many children tend to adopt their parents views on these issues.

“There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who’ll take advantage of a Negro’s ignorance” (Lee 296). In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses many different conflicts to prove the point that overcoming obstacles is tough to do alone. The narrator of this book is Scout Finch, who takes us through her childhood in a city called Maycomb in Alabama in the 1930s. Maycomb is like every other city in the south, most people being racist. Scout and her brother, Jem, are the children of Atticus Finch, who tries to teach them many lessons about growing up and about life. Atticus is the lawyer for a black man named Tom Robinson in a trial where he is being trialed for raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. It is a detriment that Tom is black because there is a lot of racism. Mayella’s family is a dirty and disrespectful family in that town. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses conflict to show that overcoming obstacles cannot be done by a single person.

“To kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is an exploration of human morality, Atticus father of Jem and Scout demonstrates the role of a teacher to his children and to his town. Atticus believes that people poses aspects of both good and evil but that good will usually prevail. Atticus teaches his children and his town when he defends Tom Robinson, who is an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. To kill a mocking bird takes place in Maycomb, a racist town in the deep south of the United States during the Great Depression, this is a tough task for Atticus because he must overcome the ingrained racism and try to change people’s social perspectives

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a classic authored by Harper Lee which takes place in Alabama during the depression. It is narrated by a six-year-old girl named Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch. The plot primarily revolves around everyday life in the community of Maycomb, focusing on Atticus Finch’s family and the challenges they encounter, including defending an African American in court. Throughout the novel, the community of Maycomb experiences significant change although there are those who hold steadfast to their convictions and habits. Perceptions of others, like Arthur Radley and Dolphus Raymond, are altered in the eyes of certain characters as they are exposed to other facets of the characters’ lives or personalities. Others, like Aunt Alexandra and Cecil Jacobs, undergo a certain level of maturity which significantly improves the way they interact with others. However, there are certain individuals within the community that do not experience a transformation and the community as a whole continue to maintain their racist views.

Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ highlights the many social injustices that take place within Maycomb County, Alabama. Told from the perspective of a young girl named Scout, with her innocence drastically molding the story. Whilst heavily focusing on conflict amongst society, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ features small, yet heavy, bits of internal conflict as well. Lee uses isolation and setting to show precisely how no one will never truly understand a person unless they are that person.

While many may view a family as a mother and a father raising a few children, Atticus Finch proves that a family doesn’t have to fit the mold to flourish. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus raises his two children, Jem and Scout, after his wife passed away. Just because Atticus isn’t married, doesn't mean he isn’t able to provide for his children physically, emotionally, and mentally. Miss Maudie comments on his parenting by saying, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee 61). Atticus is a good parent for his children because he is able to set an example without remarrying. Scout and Jem learn to be honest, kind, and respectful to everyone from Atticus. Scout, the novel’s narrator, doesn’t feel any sense of emptiness by not having a mother to raise her. The Finch’s may not be a traditional family, but Atticus’s parenting shows that they are able to be successful and happy.

Children look up to their elders for wisdom and advice. They rely on someone experienced and with authority for guidance on how to live their lives. However, sometimes the people who are accountable for youth mislead them; they may have good intentions, but are not mature enough to exemplify their values and morals, or they simply are ignorant. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra plays a negative role: she is a proper, southern lady with a strict code of behaviour and etiquette, but is too closed-minded and obstreperous to change her ways or view the world from others’ perspectives. Calpurnia takes on the position of a positive role model by disciplining the children in the Finch household. Miss Maudie takes on the role of a

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a classic piece of American literature written by Harper Lee. She illustrates a theme of the intolerance of prejudice and the quick judgments of others. The book takes the reader back to the 1930’s in a small town known as Maycomb. Harper Lee chose to give the reader an innocent, pure view of the different situations in the book through the eyes of a young girl named Jean Louise Finch who is also known as Scout. To Kill a Mockingbird is a pleasurable read for people of all ages because it has a universal theme that everyone can relate to. As we read the story we find good, evil, education, social inequality, perspective and bravery

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the the role of family to demonstrate how parents influence their children through their actions in the community and their parenting of their children. Atticus is patient, and supports his children in their choices. Scout and Jem are lucky to have Atticus, as they will be exceptionally prepared for life. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Mr. Ewell, who demonstrates how inadequate he is with the way that he responds to adversity, as well as how he “parents,” his children. Being selfish rather than thinking of others, as well as not taking responsibility for your actions can lead to one’s downfall, whether in the local community or in life.

Robert and Atticus, although both are single parents, have drastically different parenting styles therefore different children. Atticus’ approach of being fully interested in his children opposes that of Bob’s absolute disinterest in his children. His children are neglected to a point where “[they] … [cry] from hunger pains.” Burris Ewell, son of Robert exhibits personality similar to that of his father Robert.

With the help of their family cook and governess, Calpurnia, and later their Aunt Alexandra, Atticus raises his two children as reading, knowledge seeking, fact checking children who discover

The book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a fictional novel set in the mid 1930’s of Alabama. Social inequality and various forms of discrimination is widespread through Maycomb County affecting the black population and women. This society is segregated, racist, biased, and dominated by the white male.