Elizabeth Janeway says “Growing up human is uniquely a matter of social relations rather than biology. What we learn from connections within the family takes the place of instincts that program the behaviour of animals”. To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee that tells about civil rights and racism in the 1930s. The story takes place in a small town in the south of Alabama. The main characters are Jem and Scout, who are two siblings living in that town. Their father, Atticus, is a lawyer who was hired to defend a black man. Also, Atticus is a strong example of a role model in a family and in a society. People in societies and families need role models who possess qualities such as respecting other people who have different
…show more content…
“Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” (p.6). The quote proves that Atticus respects Calpurnia despite her skin colour and race. Calpurnia is a black woman who has been working in Atticus’s family ever since Jem is born. The majority of the townsmen and townswomen treat the black people as lower-class citizens. On the contrary, Atticus has his own principle that cannot be influenced by other people. He treats and respects Calpurnia as if she is his own family member. Another event is when Atticus greets Scout’s classmate, Walter Cunningham at the dining table. He does not treat Walter as a poor child. Instead of talking about Walter’s background, Atticus chooses to discuss farm problems. Thus, Atticus respects Walter regardless of his social status and condition. These prove that Atticus demonstrates respect is essential because it shows that one values another as an individual and that he honours the personal rights and dignity of the person as a fellow human …show more content…
He stands for a black man who is a minority in the community. Furthermore, He is a rational man in the midst of an emotional people who prejudice against the black people. As a rational man, he treats each person as an individual worth of respect. In addition, no one can interrupt his beliefs even though they threaten his own life. At that time, there was no other lawyer who will stand for Tom Robinson, who is a black man accused of committing rape. Atticus was unable to surmise whether or not he would win the case. Nevertheless, he took the case bravely. This case shows that Atticus was not a follower of mainstream beliefs and that his choices had separated him from the rest of the town. “Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience—Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (p.108). The quote proves that Atticus stands up for righteousness and justice even though the majority are standing against the black
“Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” (p.6). The quote proves that Atticus respects Calpurnia despite her skin colour and race. Calpurnia is a black woman who has been working in Atticus’s family ever since Jem is born. The majority of the townsmen and townswomen treat the black people as lower-class citizens. On the contrary, Atticus has his own principle that cannot be influenced by other people. He treats and respects Calpurnia as if she is his own family member. Another event is when Atticus greets Scout’s classmate, Walter Cunningham at the dining table. He does not treat Walter as a poor child. Instead of talking about Walter’s background, Atticus chooses to discuss farm problems. Thus, Atticus respects Walter regardless of his social status and condition. These prove that Atticus demonstrates respect is essential because it shows that one values another as an individual and that he honours the personal rights and dignity of the person as a fellow human …show more content…
He stands for a black man who is a minority in the community. Furthermore, He is a rational man in the midst of an emotional people who prejudice against the black people. As a rational man, he treats each person as an individual worth of respect. In addition, no one can interrupt his beliefs even though they threaten his own life. At that time, there was no other lawyer who will stand for Tom Robinson, who is a black man accused of committing rape. Atticus was unable to surmise whether or not he would win the case. Nevertheless, he took the case bravely. This case shows that Atticus was not a follower of mainstream beliefs and that his choices had separated him from the rest of the town. “Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience—Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (p.108). The quote proves that Atticus stands up for righteousness and justice even though the majority are standing against the black