Life values and lessons are an integral part of life as we know it and are prevalent throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. This 1950s novel is rooted in the town of Maycomb and outlines issues relating to the deep and socially ingrained racism such as the courage and conviction to face opposition, respect for all people as well as oneself, educational differences between the white and black citizens of Maycomb, and finally the important life lesson of standing in someone else’s shoes. Thus, through the analysis of Jem and Scout’s transformation from child-like innocence to adult-like understanding of the world, we are able to garner the large extent and importance that the teaching of life values and lessons holds within this timeless
…show more content…
This is no different to the view Harper takes of education within To Kill A Mockingbird. The Finches value education highly and make it known within the first few scenes of the novel when Jem states “Scout yonder’s been readin’ ever since she was born”. The juxtaposition of Jem’s incorrect speech when talking about Scout’s reading ability both highlights and opposes the importance of education. On the other hand, we are also able to see the difference in the level of education between Calpurnia, a ‘white’ black person, who refuses to talk ‘white’ when she is at …show more content…
However, we see that Calpurnia, despite her higher education, appeases her black community by speaking ‘their language’. She is able to see that education is the key to unlocking the ignorance that causes such prejudice. Jem begins to understand this lesson toward the end of the book when he wonders whether family status could be based more on education than on skin colour or bloodlines. Thus, we are see that education is of high importance on the list of life values and lesson that are explored within this novel.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is put on trial due to his empathy for Mayella Ewell. Tom realised that Mayella didn’t receive much help to learn from her father and siblings. Tom was questioned by the prosecution lawyer Mr. Gilmer, Tom admitted that he helped Mayella with chores because there was no one else to help her.
"You 're a mighty good fellow, it seems - did all this for not one penny?"
"Yes suh. I felt right sorry for her; she seemed to try more 'n the rest of
This is no different to the view Harper takes of education within To Kill A Mockingbird. The Finches value education highly and make it known within the first few scenes of the novel when Jem states “Scout yonder’s been readin’ ever since she was born”. The juxtaposition of Jem’s incorrect speech when talking about Scout’s reading ability both highlights and opposes the importance of education. On the other hand, we are also able to see the difference in the level of education between Calpurnia, a ‘white’ black person, who refuses to talk ‘white’ when she is at …show more content…
However, we see that Calpurnia, despite her higher education, appeases her black community by speaking ‘their language’. She is able to see that education is the key to unlocking the ignorance that causes such prejudice. Jem begins to understand this lesson toward the end of the book when he wonders whether family status could be based more on education than on skin colour or bloodlines. Thus, we are see that education is of high importance on the list of life values and lesson that are explored within this novel.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is put on trial due to his empathy for Mayella Ewell. Tom realised that Mayella didn’t receive much help to learn from her father and siblings. Tom was questioned by the prosecution lawyer Mr. Gilmer, Tom admitted that he helped Mayella with chores because there was no one else to help her.
"You 're a mighty good fellow, it seems - did all this for not one penny?"
"Yes suh. I felt right sorry for her; she seemed to try more 'n the rest of