In the novels, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, a key, integrity trait is portrayed. Integrity is a trait that can only be realized when we have strong role models, teachers or guidance. The first role models for children are caretakers because they are the first connection to the outside world that children have and, they are trusted and given tremendous respect. Unfortunately, some people do not have the best role models or any role models at all which is where some traits such as integrity and respect can become non-existent or cease to exist. However, sometimes the right teachers can put these individuals on the right path. Integrity can be developed through the upbringing of an individual.
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Although she uses a stern tone, she does not embarrass the children to get her point across. For example, when Scout is caught making Walter feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, Calpurnia calmly calls her to the kitchen and tells her to let Walter enjoy his food however he chooses to do so. When Scout argues with Calpurnia she says "Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em—if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just sit here and eat in the kitchen!”(Lee 24-25). Cal is teaching Scout to respect peoples’s individuality, which not only teaches Scout respect, but also teaches her not everyone is the same. Respect is a key component in having strong morals which is a big part of integrity. Calpurnia portrays integrity herself when she defends the children at First Purchase African M.E. Church “Lula stopped, but she …show more content…
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell does not appear to have any morals and is not honest at all. First of all, he lies in court when he states “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!” (Lee 84) in doing so, he puts an innocent man behind bars, who is later shot and killed. Moreover, instead of attempting to correct his wrongdoings, he tries to kill two innocent children. Bob Ewell displays no signs of ever being taught integrity. In conjunction, Jefferson in A Lesson Before Dying is even worse because Miss Emma had raised him to be a respectful young man, but in one moment, as he is put in jail, he forgets all of her teachings. Instead of calling for help or staying with Mr. Gropé while he was dying, Jefferson steals money from the cash register and cracks open a bottle of alcohol. Furthermore, he refuses to speak to his godmother or others visiting him and mentions things that he knows will upset her. For instance, he says “I’m a old hog… Just a old hog they fattening up to kill for Christmas…” (Gaines 83). It appears that without integrity people can become monsters but in some cases integrity is not lost
Although she uses a stern tone, she does not embarrass the children to get her point across. For example, when Scout is caught making Walter feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, Calpurnia calmly calls her to the kitchen and tells her to let Walter enjoy his food however he chooses to do so. When Scout argues with Calpurnia she says "Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em—if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just sit here and eat in the kitchen!”(Lee 24-25). Cal is teaching Scout to respect peoples’s individuality, which not only teaches Scout respect, but also teaches her not everyone is the same. Respect is a key component in having strong morals which is a big part of integrity. Calpurnia portrays integrity herself when she defends the children at First Purchase African M.E. Church “Lula stopped, but she …show more content…
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell does not appear to have any morals and is not honest at all. First of all, he lies in court when he states “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!” (Lee 84) in doing so, he puts an innocent man behind bars, who is later shot and killed. Moreover, instead of attempting to correct his wrongdoings, he tries to kill two innocent children. Bob Ewell displays no signs of ever being taught integrity. In conjunction, Jefferson in A Lesson Before Dying is even worse because Miss Emma had raised him to be a respectful young man, but in one moment, as he is put in jail, he forgets all of her teachings. Instead of calling for help or staying with Mr. Gropé while he was dying, Jefferson steals money from the cash register and cracks open a bottle of alcohol. Furthermore, he refuses to speak to his godmother or others visiting him and mentions things that he knows will upset her. For instance, he says “I’m a old hog… Just a old hog they fattening up to kill for Christmas…” (Gaines 83). It appears that without integrity people can become monsters but in some cases integrity is not lost