The importance of protecting the vulnerable
It is very important to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. This is demonstrated in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. This novel takes place in the 1930’s in a fictional town in Alabama called Maycomb. The setting of the novel is significant because it is during the great depression in the Deep South after the civil war, because of this there are many feelings of bitterness and racism. The novel’s main characters are a lawyer named Atticus Finch, his two children, Jeremy Finch and Jean Louise Finch, also known as Jem and Scout, a black man named Tom Robinson, and a recluse name Arthur Radley. Harper Lee examines the importance of protecting the vulnerable members of society, as is shown through …show more content…
Boo is a recluse, he has lived nearly his entire life inside of his house and he is obviously frightened by the other people in Maycomb. Scout says as the narrator, “The Radley’s, welcome anywhere in town, kept to themselves… They did not go to church, Maycomb’s principal recreation, but worshipped at home.” (11). This shows that the whole Radley family is shy, and they prefer to stay in their own house and mind their own business. This sense of shyness can also be seen in Boo when he is at the Finch house: “When i pointed to him his palms slipped slightly, leaving greasy sweat streaks on the wall, and he hooked his thumbs in his belt. A strange small spasm shook him, as if he heard fingernails scrape slate.” (362). This particular reference goes to show that Boo is shaken up when he is the center of attention, in other words, he is shy. Sheriff Heck Tate protects Boo by saying that Bob Ewell, the man that Boo killed, fell on his knife. Heck did this because he knew Boo would be found innocent in the end and did not want to make Boo the focal point of the town because of his unsocial ways. Scout also believes that this would be
It is very important to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. This is demonstrated in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. This novel takes place in the 1930’s in a fictional town in Alabama called Maycomb. The setting of the novel is significant because it is during the great depression in the Deep South after the civil war, because of this there are many feelings of bitterness and racism. The novel’s main characters are a lawyer named Atticus Finch, his two children, Jeremy Finch and Jean Louise Finch, also known as Jem and Scout, a black man named Tom Robinson, and a recluse name Arthur Radley. Harper Lee examines the importance of protecting the vulnerable members of society, as is shown through …show more content…
Boo is a recluse, he has lived nearly his entire life inside of his house and he is obviously frightened by the other people in Maycomb. Scout says as the narrator, “The Radley’s, welcome anywhere in town, kept to themselves… They did not go to church, Maycomb’s principal recreation, but worshipped at home.” (11). This shows that the whole Radley family is shy, and they prefer to stay in their own house and mind their own business. This sense of shyness can also be seen in Boo when he is at the Finch house: “When i pointed to him his palms slipped slightly, leaving greasy sweat streaks on the wall, and he hooked his thumbs in his belt. A strange small spasm shook him, as if he heard fingernails scrape slate.” (362). This particular reference goes to show that Boo is shaken up when he is the center of attention, in other words, he is shy. Sheriff Heck Tate protects Boo by saying that Bob Ewell, the man that Boo killed, fell on his knife. Heck did this because he knew Boo would be found innocent in the end and did not want to make Boo the focal point of the town because of his unsocial ways. Scout also believes that this would be