For example, Mrs.Dubose, a senior living couple houses down from Atticus’s house, greatly criticizes Atticus by telling his children that “Atticus no better than the n-----s and trash he works for” (Lee 102). Because of his attempt to help an African American man, Atticus is also being frowned upon in his family. Another example would be when Francis said, “Grandma says now Atticus turned out a n----r-lover, the family never be able to walk the street of Maycomb again” (Lee 83). Some members of the Finch family believe that Atticus is damaging the whole family’s reputation in Maycomb through “loving” African Americans. This is demonstrated when Aunt Alexandra, who has the typical views of a middle class person, refuses Scout to go to Calpurnia’s house only because she is black.…
I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Throughout chapter 10 of the novel the children learn a plethora of secrets about their father. Next, Jen must read to Mrs. Dubose because he lost his temper and vandalized her yard. In chapter 13 the children are left alone with Calpurnia, and they learn a great deal about the black folk of Macomb. In the last two chapters, Aunt Alexandra moves in to give the children a feminine influence and a mob forms to harm Tom Robinson, but Scout manages to disperse the mob.…
Virtuously, he does not let the racism of Maycomb affect how hard he fights for justice. Despite the names people label Atticus and the amount of judgement he gets put through, he stands beside Tom Robinson throughout the book and defends him to the best of his abilities. Atticus earns the admiration of his children and the readers by always staying true to what he believes despite the people who try and pull him from those beliefs. Throughout the novel Atticus does not stray from his moral obligations. He says, "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's…
When the death of Tom Robinson is announced Scout sees how devastated Aunt Alexandra becomes. To Aunt Alexandra this case is wearing down both the family and Atticus, “tearing him to pieces” as she stated. But even through those dark times, Alexandra still holds her head high as she face the group of judgmental ladies of Maycomb to continue her tea party. “Aunt Alexandra looked across the room at me and smiled. She looked at the tray of cookies on the table and nodded at them.…
Atticus was a whole different person before “‘. . . Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time’” (Lee 112). When Miss Maudie tells Scout and Jem that Atticus used to be the best shot, neither of them could believe it. Their father, probably the most level headed and humble person they ever met had hidden part of his past “Nevertheless, he refuses to use his background as an excuse to hold himself above others and instead is a model of tolerance and understanding” (“To Kill a Mockingbird”).…
Classism is assumed to be determined by the amount of money a person has. A person’s wallet seems more visible than their heart. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the reader is told about a young girl, Scout, growing up in South Alabama in the 1930’s during the Great Depression. Her father is a respected lawyer who is assigned to defend an African American accused of raping a white girl. The trial for the case finally comes up, and the man’s legal status is decided.…
The Branches of Perspective “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” Author Harper Lee clearly demonstrates the importance of perspective in this quote. She reminds us throughout her best-selling novel that a changed perspective and a loss of innocence fly side by side. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores the idea of changing perspective through the staggering differences between the innocent views of a child, and the more cynical, realistic views of those close to adulthood. One way Lee explores the idea of changing and contrasting perspectives is through Jem’s loss of innocence.…
Atticus, in contrast to many other characters in the novel, does not accept the institutionalized racism that is entrenched into Maycombian society. Instead, he fights racial prejudice because he views it as fundamentally flawed and stemming from a lack of empathy and understanding for those outside one’s social group. Furthermore, Atticus’ emotional investment in Tom Robinson’s case shows the personal level on which racism affects him. When discussing with Scout why he was defending Tom Robinson, Atticus explained, “… every lawyer gets a case at least once in his life that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess.”…
Alexandra ploys to make Scout more ' Lady like ' and berating Scout for not wanting to wear dresses makes Scout grow to dislike her Aunt. While Atticus worked on the Tom Robinson case Alexandra comes to Maycomb to live with Scout and Jem to provide a 'feminine influence '. Aunt Alexandra, along with the rest of the Finch Household does not approve of Atticus defending a Tom Robinson, a black man. As the Tom Robinson case goes on Alexandra sees how passionate Atticus is about giving Tom a fair trial . When Tom Robinson is found guilty Alexandra notices the effects of racism and how much it bothers her nephew.…
In order to prepare for our discussion, bring notes to the seminar in which you address the following questions, noting page numbers for specific textual references that back up your answers: 1. Did Tom Robinson have a fair trial? 2. Why did the community support Bob and Mayella Ewell? 3.…
People will always be judged regardless of race, gender or any other factor and the thing that can be done to change this is changing perspective. This is shown throughout the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, as Jem and Scout explore multiple perspectives to help them understand different people. They are forced to deal with mature topics at young ages as their father, Atticus, defends a negro man in a rape trial where he is accused by a white man. This is controversial in their small county and ultimately causes for them to meet new people who may at first seem unusual. Although, it is natural to immediately judge someone, looking at the situation from their perspective can affect the actions one takes.…
Scout is a noteworthy character that exemplifies personal growth under the guidance of Atticus’ moral voice. Throughout the novel, Scout uncovers the good and evil in the Maycomb society which develops her naïve perceptions into greater awareness, assisting her in understanding others. We are reminded of the power of the innocence of youth through Scout’s first-person narration and dialogue to her Aunt Alexandra proclaiming, “I remembered the distant disastrous occasion when I rushed to young Walter Cunningham’s defence. Now I was glad I’d done it. ‘Soon’s school starts I’m gonna ask Walter home to dinner…’”…
"Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That 's what I don 't like about it." This exemplifies how the town resented Atticus for simply doing what he believe to be the right thing to do; which is why even though Atticus had no intention of influencing the town’s idea of justice for Tom Robinson, he influenced the white community, who just so happen to have been the ones to decide Tom’s fate. This once again proves that while unintentional a single individual how the power to alter or change what another person perceives as…
Atticus represents a protective shield between society and those that are defenseless because he abides by this belief by standing up for what is right, even though he is alone, and he gives the Negro citizens hope for equality. His accepting and fair attitude also contributes to his confidence and perseverance to continue to defend Tom Robinson. When Scout tells Atticus she doesn’t want to go to school because of Miss Caroline’s behavior, he tells Scout that to truly understand a person, you have to step in their shoes and put yourself in their position. (30) This virtue of acceptance and working to understand others allows Atticus to be patient and calm when dealing with people and guides him to do the right thing when taking action to deal with the social injustices. Atticus follows this principle to understand people, such as Boo Radley and Mrs. Dubose, and avoid being prejudiced towards them like most Maycomb citizens; he…
Have you ever judged, criticized, or labeled a person before? While it may have accidentally or innocent childish fun, we have all spoken about someone and given them a label. Society criticizes people all the time without realizing it, and places them into a certain category. In the 1930’s people, also labeled others by their family reputation, skin color, and mentality. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee explains that society plays an important role in people 's lives and dictates how a person is supposed to look and act.…