The use of Equality, Respect, and Integrity in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book set in the 1930s that centres around Macomb County. This book follows the story of Scout and her childhood adventures. Her father Atticus Finch is Scout’s single surviving parent and he tries to teach her several values. Atticus Finch teaches Scout equality, respect, and integrity through direct and implied conversations. Scout learns equality when Atticus repeatedly teaches her that all people are equal and only their actions set them apart, she learns respect when he shows kindness even to those he disagrees with, and she learns integrity as he repeatedly teaches her a set of values.
Equality
Scout learns equality …show more content…
During the Tom Robinson trial, when Atticus is making his final speech to the jury he says, “Some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no reticular race of men.” (Lee, 232) This bold statement shows equality because he goes against the racist beliefs of many of the white men of the time and defies racism. While Atticus is unaware that Scout is listening at the moment he says this she still learns from his conversation with the jury. She learns that white people are not inherently better then black people. Additionally, he teaches Scout not to judge people on their colour but on their actions because while there is bad people of any colour; there is good people of any colour as well. In class Scout’s teacher asks the class what democracy means and Scout says, “‘Equal rights for all, special privileges for none,’ I quoted.” (Lee, 281) This statement shows a lesson she was taught by Atticus because right before saying that she lets the reader know it was something Atticus used to say. While he does not say this in the …show more content…
When Mrs. Dubose dies Atticus says, “…she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.” (Lee, 128) This shows Scout respect because despite Mrs. Dubose never agreeing with Atticus he still respected her. He shows her how this skill can help her avoid conflicts and help you respect yourself. When Jem, Dill, and Scout try to sneak a letter to Boo Radley but are caught by Atticus he says, “‘Son,’ he said to Jem, ‘I’m going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man. That goes for the other two of you.’” (Lee, 54) This conversation with Atticus shows his respect for Boo Radley despite having either never talked to him or having not talked him for a long time. He tells Scout to value respect over curiosity and leave Boo alone. Overall, Atticus teaches Scout respect though direct conversations, showing her the proper way to act around friends, foes, or
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book set in the 1930s that centres around Macomb County. This book follows the story of Scout and her childhood adventures. Her father Atticus Finch is Scout’s single surviving parent and he tries to teach her several values. Atticus Finch teaches Scout equality, respect, and integrity through direct and implied conversations. Scout learns equality when Atticus repeatedly teaches her that all people are equal and only their actions set them apart, she learns respect when he shows kindness even to those he disagrees with, and she learns integrity as he repeatedly teaches her a set of values.
Equality
Scout learns equality …show more content…
During the Tom Robinson trial, when Atticus is making his final speech to the jury he says, “Some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no reticular race of men.” (Lee, 232) This bold statement shows equality because he goes against the racist beliefs of many of the white men of the time and defies racism. While Atticus is unaware that Scout is listening at the moment he says this she still learns from his conversation with the jury. She learns that white people are not inherently better then black people. Additionally, he teaches Scout not to judge people on their colour but on their actions because while there is bad people of any colour; there is good people of any colour as well. In class Scout’s teacher asks the class what democracy means and Scout says, “‘Equal rights for all, special privileges for none,’ I quoted.” (Lee, 281) This statement shows a lesson she was taught by Atticus because right before saying that she lets the reader know it was something Atticus used to say. While he does not say this in the …show more content…
When Mrs. Dubose dies Atticus says, “…she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.” (Lee, 128) This shows Scout respect because despite Mrs. Dubose never agreeing with Atticus he still respected her. He shows her how this skill can help her avoid conflicts and help you respect yourself. When Jem, Dill, and Scout try to sneak a letter to Boo Radley but are caught by Atticus he says, “‘Son,’ he said to Jem, ‘I’m going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man. That goes for the other two of you.’” (Lee, 54) This conversation with Atticus shows his respect for Boo Radley despite having either never talked to him or having not talked him for a long time. He tells Scout to value respect over curiosity and leave Boo alone. Overall, Atticus teaches Scout respect though direct conversations, showing her the proper way to act around friends, foes, or