Harper Lee tied the racial tensions of the South during the 1930’s to fiction in her most famous novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The era of America’s Great Depression led to an escalation in racial profiling, which correlates to the trial of Tom Robinson in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” A historical example of racism in the Southern United States was the trial of the Scottsboro Boys. Harper Lee also expresses these racist beliefs through Aunt Alexandra’s social status in Maycomb. Finally, Harper Lee uses “Universes of Obligation” to describe the community of Maycomb; during the depression era, particularly in the South, tensions between the lower white class and the working Negro class were high. Cultural, social, and racial problems were rampant
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As pointed out in class discussion, Atticus faces the mad dog alone- just as he is ‘charged’ with fighting racism in Maycomb alone. “‘I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot until he had to, and he had to today.’ “(Lee 126-127, 130). This is symbolic of the Tom Robinson trial because Maycomb County is sick with the disease of racism, and Atticus Finch is faced with a decision of whether to try to rectify the situation. Atticus realized that society gave white men advantages, but waited to take a shot at diminishing these advantages. According to Beck, “‘...that jury’ll see you as one of their own, a white Southerner. Just who the hell do you think you are, coming to Troy, trying to change things too fast? That’s how the jury’ll see you and that’s why you’ll lose and send your Negro to the grave’” (76). Atticus couldn’t attempt to fix the situation until an opportunity to do so arose. Another connection that comes from this is that Atticus was unsure of himself at first, when asked to shoot the mad dog, but gained confidence when he saw that society needed him to do it. The same thing happens in the Tom Robinson case and also in the Charles White, Alias case. Foster Beck …show more content…
To Kill a Mockingbird is Lee’s account of racism and racial tensions of the South. Various historical accounts provide context to Lee’s story. Tom Robinson was accused of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird, and historical events such as the trial of Charles White, Alias (My Father & Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in 1930s Alabama) and the case of the Scottsboro Boys (Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States) demonstrate the racial tension that was present. Aunt Alexandra’s belief in the importance of social stature is supported by Jim Crow laws. Finally, tensions are described through various interviews found throughout Teaching Mockingbird: A Facing History and Ourselves Study Guide and scenarios depicted in My Father & Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in 1930s Alabama. Lee and Beck bring forth the above ideas, but they also show that any small steps we can make today will influence the world forever; Lee shows in this book that effort put into highlighting an issue can help diminish that issue’s credence. As Atticus says, “‘...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
As pointed out in class discussion, Atticus faces the mad dog alone- just as he is ‘charged’ with fighting racism in Maycomb alone. “‘I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot until he had to, and he had to today.’ “(Lee 126-127, 130). This is symbolic of the Tom Robinson trial because Maycomb County is sick with the disease of racism, and Atticus Finch is faced with a decision of whether to try to rectify the situation. Atticus realized that society gave white men advantages, but waited to take a shot at diminishing these advantages. According to Beck, “‘...that jury’ll see you as one of their own, a white Southerner. Just who the hell do you think you are, coming to Troy, trying to change things too fast? That’s how the jury’ll see you and that’s why you’ll lose and send your Negro to the grave’” (76). Atticus couldn’t attempt to fix the situation until an opportunity to do so arose. Another connection that comes from this is that Atticus was unsure of himself at first, when asked to shoot the mad dog, but gained confidence when he saw that society needed him to do it. The same thing happens in the Tom Robinson case and also in the Charles White, Alias case. Foster Beck …show more content…
To Kill a Mockingbird is Lee’s account of racism and racial tensions of the South. Various historical accounts provide context to Lee’s story. Tom Robinson was accused of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird, and historical events such as the trial of Charles White, Alias (My Father & Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in 1930s Alabama) and the case of the Scottsboro Boys (Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States) demonstrate the racial tension that was present. Aunt Alexandra’s belief in the importance of social stature is supported by Jim Crow laws. Finally, tensions are described through various interviews found throughout Teaching Mockingbird: A Facing History and Ourselves Study Guide and scenarios depicted in My Father & Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in 1930s Alabama. Lee and Beck bring forth the above ideas, but they also show that any small steps we can make today will influence the world forever; Lee shows in this book that effort put into highlighting an issue can help diminish that issue’s credence. As Atticus says, “‘...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