To kill a mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a story told through a little girl named Scout Finch. This story takes place in Alabama, in a town called Maycomb. This book takes you to the trial of a colored man, named Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of a rape charges. Since this took place in the 1930s, no one believed a man of color over a white man. No one wanted to be associated with him or have anything to do with him, excepts Atticus. The person who takes on the challenge of being Tom Robinsons lawyer is Atticus, Scout Finch's father. I realized after reading this book the reason behind its banning. But I think this book shouldn’t be banned, but instead of it being offered in middle school it should instead be required to be read in high …show more content…
This book should only be offered to those recommended grades because of the explicit language spoken throughout the book. An example for the explicit language would be during the trail of Tom Robinson when Mr. Ewells got mad at him and yelled. "Mr. Ewells face grew scarlet. He stood up and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson "-I seen that black nigger yonder nuttin on my Mayella.” (Pg. 231). During the trial, Tom Robinson is accused of raping Mayella, but the language that is used through the book and trial sounds extremely crude. This is probably one of the reasons why the book was banned from some of the schools, which is understandable. Which is why it shouldn’t be read in middle school but rather in high school, since they would have learned the history of that period and understand what is happening and what is being said. It might to heavy and uncomfortable for them to understand what is going on. Whereas in high school the kids are older and have more of an understanding about why the events are taking place in the story, the reason behind Tom Robinson being falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit and suffering injustice because of it. They would understand the period when this took place, that no matter how innocent a man might be, the color of his skin is what determines their
Because of offensive language and ideas that are represented in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, it has been banned in many school libraries and lessons. One of the main reasons that it was banned in school is because of offensive words like the n-word and also because of the fact that the plot is centered around rape. One of the school board members, Kenny Holloway, said, “We can teach the same lessons with other books.” Many people agree with Holloway’s opinion, saying that the same ideas that are represented in To Kill A Mockingbird could be taught with a less controversial book. However, other people say that students are tough enough to handle the story. While many people don’t think that this book is appropriate for school, some people
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged/banned countless times since it’s original publication in 1960. The reasoning people could have behind banning it is that they feel that the racism, language and subject matter in the book is offensive, inappropriate, immoral and that it encourages and condones such things. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, a small town in Alabama, during the depression from 1935-1937, and is told from the perspective of a little girl named Scout. In the book Scout’s father Atticus teaches her and her brother Jem many valuable lessons. The things Atticus teaches Scout and Jem are things we all need to know. To Kill a Mockingbird is an inspirational book that teaches valuable moral values,
Some parents want this book banned because they are afraid that the book could influence bullies against African American children in today’s society. However, in any history book or historical fiction about the pre-Civil War times in the United States, the same facts or even worse are shown.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be read and taught in school considering the facts that it teaches the important message of learning to stand in other’s shoes, and that the reader can see the wide range of diversity such as socioeconomic status and race. In the real world, we will come across many different people with different backgrounds and views. It is easy to look at those people and think, “they are strange,” or “they don’t understand anything.” I admit, before reading this book I was insensitive to this and didn’t even realize when I looked at people and made those assumptions. This book has helped me be not so judgmental and be able to see from other people’s point of view. While some may say this book shouldn’t be taught because it is “racist” or
Growing up is a maze with many twists and turns. In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jean Louise "Scout" Finch experiences many difficult situations as part of her coming of age. As Scout grows up in the rural Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, she faces problems with self-identity, racism, and her community. Harper Lee writes in a subtle yet impactful way about how Scout goes through this confusing stage, making her book a classic that every student should read. Recently To Kill a Mockingbird has been a controversial topic because a “school district in Mississippi announced that it was pulling the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic from its 8th-grade reading list” (Oprea 1). The school district worried that the book was uncomfortable for kids because of its use of explicit language. The school board stated that other books can convey the same lessons in more age-appropriate ways. The question is can these books convey the same lessons without using the language so vital in communicating the historical context of the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird is an important book that should not be banned in schools because it
To Kill a Mockingbird was once a book “every adult should read before they die.” The book is a classic, and a great example of American literature. However, many have complained about the book, too. I’ve read it and I personally think that it’s great book. I totally disagree on banning the book. Although I do think that there should be some sort of label on the book warning people about what’s in the content.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned and/or challenged over thirty times since its publication in 1960. Effectively preventing many students from enjoying the novel and benefitting from its message. To ignore racism is no different than denying it ever existed. To Kill a Mockingbird is appropriate for mature adolescence/students and should not be banned from schools. Despite its sexual related content, or profanity, a valuable lesson remains that should be taught to students.
While there may be some negative influences in To Kill a Mockingbird, for example: racial segregation, profanity, and ungrammatical speech the book still has it strong points of positive influences. Due to racial segregation in the book, people have led to believe that the way African Americans are portrayed in the book are nowhere similar to today’s segregation. This is shown whenever Tom Robison is talked about and how the women during the tea party held at Finch’s house react. They act scared of him as if he’s a vile disease when in reality, Tom Robison is a simple American. The only difference between him and everyone else is his skin color. While racial segregation may be different from back then, for the race, it is still an important part of our history. If textbooks are allowed to spout about how African Americans were treated, then why can a book not be allowed to do the
of how they are portrayed in the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned
This book is very true to life even today. We all go about our day with our own preconceived notions on life. The saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is very true when it comes to this book. Many people feel that it has no use for us in today’s society. They feel that due to the racist language it should be banned. An example seen here in an Interview by Mary Dempsey and Muriel Saunders, “"To Kill a Mockingbird," written in 1960 by Harper Lee. High school administrators in Muskogee, Oklahoma, removed that same book from the school's required reading list for freshman because, they say, the novel includes racially derogatory language that could offend African-Americans.” (Dempsey, Saunders). Society wants to hide the fact that the past
Have you ever heard or seen someone being racist to somebody else? Well if you have, you know it’s not right. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee uses unforgettable characters to explain civil rights and racism in the Southern United States of the 1930’s. I think schools should teach that book (To Kill a Mockingbird) because I think students will learn how racism hurts people. I believe it is an important book because it also shows its readers good examples of character development. This book also has great characters that students can relate to. I think that schools need to have a requirement to read this book because it shows students the right way to treat people even if they are different and that it is wrong to discriminate against people.
Therefore Racial inequality has existed since the civil war and still exists in the twentieth century. Another reason books like To Kill a Mockingbird should be read by every student is to see how cruel and far they would go to make people feel ashamed by supporting a different race. In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned in public schools because this book is trying to teach people nowadays a lesson about the lifestyle during the the Great Depression in Alabama, And to tell people about the history of this era she lived through.
Many aspects of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, can be seen as inappropriate for high school students, and controversial in general. The racial slurs and foul language used, are some of the disputed aspects that might contribute to making To Kill a Mockingbird a banned book. Due to the questionable words and topics in To Kill a Mockingbird, this novel should not be taught in public schools.
To Kill a Mockingbird was written because Harper Lee wanted to make a point about the civil rights movement which was at its height in 1960 when the book was published. Even though the
To Kill a Mockingbird Opinion Essay To Kill a Mockingbird is the most popular novel taught in high schools in North America. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a very controversial novel, even though it is the most popular novel to be taught in schools, it is also one of the most challenged, and banned classic books in school libraries. First, To Kill a Mockingbird provides a voice for teens bending gender stereotypes. Secondly, it shows the history of racism and how we got to where we are today. Lastly, the novel teaches us about empathy and the life lesson; not to judge a book by its cover.