“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Harper Lee’s well known To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the struggle of living in the Great Depression. During this time period, the southern states were largely affected by the ideals of racism. Lee’s novel is inspired by many historical events relating to the South during this time period. The novel is largely influenced by the Jim Crow laws and ideals, mob mentality, and the infamous Scottsboro trials. The first connection between the history of America and the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is the Jim Crow laws.
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The article “What is Mob Mentality?” by S.E. Smith states that mob mentality is changing the way people behave when a part of a large group. In her article “How Riots Work”, Molly Edmonds says that mobs were often composed of people doing things they would not normally do, due to the lack of justification for their actions. People can subconsciously join in with the reasoning of a group, making assumptions to justify their actions (Smith). In the NPR’s radio program, “Strange Fruit: Anniversary of a Lynching”, an unidentified woman recalls the events of the Scottsboro lynchings. “He said, well, they're going to lynch the niggers. And I said, oh, Grindell, you're kidding. And he said, no, I'm not. And he said you better stick around, said there's going to be some excitement”. People often participated in riots and dangerous activities due to a surge of adrenaline, excitement, and even panic. In the novel, Lee portrays mob mentality in many ways. While there was not necessarily a negative income, during the trial the balcony stands (Lee 241). The group moves as a whole out of respect for Atticus, and although they may not understand why, others likely join in. Earlier in the book, Atticus is visiting the jail where Tom Robinson is held. A mob gathers, more than likely looking to harm the convicted man (Lee 173). Scout does not understand the situation, and attempts to make casual conversation with Walter Cunningham’s father (Lee 174). The mob eventually leaves and Atticus later gives credit to Scout for bringing them to their senses (179). The writing of To Kill a Mockingbird was also influenced by the Scottsboro trials that took place during the
The article “What is Mob Mentality?” by S.E. Smith states that mob mentality is changing the way people behave when a part of a large group. In her article “How Riots Work”, Molly Edmonds says that mobs were often composed of people doing things they would not normally do, due to the lack of justification for their actions. People can subconsciously join in with the reasoning of a group, making assumptions to justify their actions (Smith). In the NPR’s radio program, “Strange Fruit: Anniversary of a Lynching”, an unidentified woman recalls the events of the Scottsboro lynchings. “He said, well, they're going to lynch the niggers. And I said, oh, Grindell, you're kidding. And he said, no, I'm not. And he said you better stick around, said there's going to be some excitement”. People often participated in riots and dangerous activities due to a surge of adrenaline, excitement, and even panic. In the novel, Lee portrays mob mentality in many ways. While there was not necessarily a negative income, during the trial the balcony stands (Lee 241). The group moves as a whole out of respect for Atticus, and although they may not understand why, others likely join in. Earlier in the book, Atticus is visiting the jail where Tom Robinson is held. A mob gathers, more than likely looking to harm the convicted man (Lee 173). Scout does not understand the situation, and attempts to make casual conversation with Walter Cunningham’s father (Lee 174). The mob eventually leaves and Atticus later gives credit to Scout for bringing them to their senses (179). The writing of To Kill a Mockingbird was also influenced by the Scottsboro trials that took place during the