In the novel,To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author, brought us into the lives of Jean Louise, seven, Jem, thirteen and Atticus Finch. Living in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s was undeniably difficult for the Finches. Jean Louise, often called Scout, and her brother Jem saw their entire world change when their father, Atticus, was appointed to be Tom Robinson’s lawyer. Tom Robinson was a black man accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Despite all that occurred in and out of Maycomb, Atticus proved to be a great role model for his kids. He saw the world differently from those around him, and in turn was able to teach Scout and Jem lessons that very few others knew. Atticus taught his kids to always do the right thing, to not let race determine how they treat people, and to try to understand others before judging. …show more content…
After being appointed to be Tom Robinson’s lawyer, Atticus received a lot of backlash from family, friends, and neighbors. People in Maycomb were used to white lawyers taking cases of black men and simply not trying to prove them innocent, as a result, when Atticus decided that he would attempt to prove that Tom was innocent, the entire town was caught by surprise. Rumors were spread about him and even little Scout had to deal with being called names by her classmates. Confused, Scout talked to Atticus one afternoon and asked him why he was defending a black man and Atticus
Today’s society is damaged with the results of people doing terrible things to each other. Peoples actions can make or break lives.The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, is about a little girl, her Brother, their Dad, and the negro they all fight to defend. The main character scout and her older brother Jem, get into all sorts of dilemmas in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. As they learn new valuable lessons about life, they also pick up that the small town they grow up in is not as clean and safe as it seems. The father, Atticus Finch is a kind hearted soul who was given the case of Tom Robinson, a negro accused of Raping a white woman. As soon as Atticus was given the case he aimed to defend Tom but a faulty jury made sure it did not happen.To
He believed in giving his children freedom to walk around town and talk to whomever they wanted to without his supervision. Because of this, they were able to learn from experience rather than just school alone. This also showed that Atticus treated his children as equals rather than just taking the role of the hierarchy. Another thing he did that allowed Jem and Scout to be treated as equals was allow them to call him by his first name which was very uncommon. Atticus never beat or hit is children even though it was legal and a regular thing for parents to do back then, Atticus instead resorted to alternative, non-violent, punishments when his kids misbehaved such as making Jem read to Mrs Dubois after Jem wrecked her flowers.
The novel “To Kill a Mocking Bird” is based in the fictional small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. When slavery and the Civil War were still present in the people’s way of living and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s are far from close. The novel focuses on the Finches: Scout, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, and the trial of Tom Robinson and how it affected them and the town. Witnessing the injustice of Tom Robinson’s trial changed Scout Finch in many ways. Scout learns that there is more than one type of courage, she learns about race and its complexity, and she also changes how she views the people around her by putting herself
The whole town of Maycomb is racist, which makes Atticus’s job harder trying to defend Tom Robinson against the word of a white man.Tom Robinson’s case is unjust since he is black and the majority of Maycomb revert to the stereotype that all blacks are immoral and criminals. “Quote” shows that it is a situation where little is possible to do when defending a black man because the town of Maycomb is deeply affected by racism they tend to only make decisions based on the race and so immediately think Tom Robinson is guilty, that he did indeed raped Mayella when there was so much evidence to prove otherwise. This is challenging for Atticus, since he has to persuade everyone to pretend there is no stereotype about blacks and that they are human
Many people see Atticus’ teachings or method for upbringing as being ‘wrong’, nonetheless little do they know what the outcomes the kids are having. Having people like Atticus and Calpurnia quite involved in their lives, even people like Aunt Alexandra help to build a sense of morality. These morals are built around who and what they are exposed to, and as Jem and Scout grow up, they seem to learn more about the world and about how people aren’t always as good as they thought that they were. However they also realise that most people are good. This is what they learn to realise not everything is as it seems or made out to be. A classic example is Boo Radley. To the kids, he was made out to be a terrible person, when ironically he was the one that saved them from evil. Arguably this wouldn’t have been possible or have happened if Atticus hadn’t given the kids as much freedom as they had, and then the kids would have still been numb to the idea of questioning things and would have just taken someone’s word for
Atticus teaches scout and Jem self respect by setting examples for them. When Atticus decides to take the Tom Robinson case he teaches his kids self respect. After asked why he took the case he said that Atticus has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is a case he cannot hope to win, but he tells Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect. He also shows scout and jem self respect by not showing off his God given gift. He taught Jem and Scout to have thick skin. He made sure to have them not allow someone to get under their skin. An example of a moment where Jem or Scout have to have a lot of patience for someone is when was throwing around the N word, tho she retaliated she didn't pay it that much attention. Another example is again when Atticus took the Tom Robinson case.
The book “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee is about Scout Finch and her older brother Jem living in Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. Scout and Jem spend a lot of their time watching over Boo Radley's house with Dill, their friend. Scout and Jem's Dad, Atticus, agrees to help a black man, Tom Robinson, by being his attorney where Tom is accused of Rape. The theme, Do not judge a person before actually getting to know them, is show in many different ways.
In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author follows the childhood of the main character known as Jeremy Atticus Finch. He is the son of lawyer Atticus Finch, and older brother of Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout. The family lives in a fictional town called Maycomb, Alabama. In their early lives, the two siblings were infatuated in figuring out the secrets of the Radley family, especially Boo Radley, in the house down their road. At the beginning of the story, their curiosity plays a big part in their lives. This builds during their many experiences and gives the readers a better sense of the characters’ traits. Jem Finch plays one of the key roles in the storyline and has a very brave, emotional, and protective personality.
In the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' two important characters influence each other significantly over the course of the book. The book is set in the 1930's in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The novel is centered around a young girl named Scout and the events that developed her into a mature you lady. Scout develops greatly alongside her father, Atticus, who teaches Scout, along with her friends and family that life can teach you a lot of lessons, if you know where to look. Scout changes from a naïve, impulsive young girl to a mature young lady that ,with her new understanding of the world, influences the those around her. Atticus has learnt that humans are not faultless and not all of them share his moral values.
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the main protagonist Jean Louise “Scout” Finch from Maycomb County, Alabama, goes on a strenuous moral journey thats problems will shape her to be the character she is. Throughout the story, Scout and her family face many challenges that test, but also prove, her ruling personality trait of compassion and the potential to not judge others. She also displays her ability to be perceptive of people and see life from their point of view when her father Atticus takes on the job of defending Tom Robinson, a black man, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. When he gets called on to do this, he opens his family up to harassment and ridicule by the townsfolk. Scout doesn’t quite understand why he decides to take on a case like that, but he explains to her that,
Atticus shows how courageous he is many times throughout this novel, including when Tom Robinson was put on trial. Tom is an African American who is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Tom is arrested for this incident and put on trial. No lawyer in Maycomb County wants to defend Tom. Until Atticus is asked to represent Tom. Although Atticus knows this will be a tough
“‘...Mockingbirds...don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us [anyone and everyone]. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird…’” (Lee 119). In the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of 1961 To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells the story of a young girl by the name of Jean Louise (Scout) Finch and her older brother Jeremy Atticus (Jem) Finch, and what their lives were like growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during 1933-35. Scout and her brother Jem are both children of the morally passionate lawyer, Atticus Finch, and both are exposed to the same experiences that shape their sense of right and wrong. Yet Scout and Jem come to dramatically different conclusions about good and evil and the essential nature of humankind.
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical-fiction written by Harper Lee. The novel’s main character and narrator Jean Louise (Scout) Finch is introduced to many of the world’s hardships, and its harsh realities. Standing as Scout’s father is Atticus Finch, leading her down the path of righteousness, fairness, and equality. Atticus is an excellent father, whom leaves little to be desired on the topic of parenting. He shows his superb parenting in numerous ways- ranging from the allowing of his children to have their own walks of life, raising his children as individuals, and not hiding his children from the true evils of the world.
When Atticus is questioned by Scout about his new case, Atticus replies,”I’m simply defending a Negro—his name’s Tom Robinson.” (Lee 100). To begin with, Atticus simply tells Scout that defending an African American is not a big deal despite how the town chooses to react. He is trying to show Scout that he does not care if the people of Maycomb are slandering him, but he believes that taking a huge risk such as defending Tom Robinson is worth taking if its to save someone. Furthermore, as the two children plan to practice shooting, Atticus advises them, “Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” (Lee 119). It is metaphorically symbolized that Tom Robinson is a Mockingbird. His sentence was death, even though Tom never did anything to harm anyone. The fact that he was black made sure he was convicted of a crime. Tom Robinson was a symbol of innocence who was falsely accused. Atticus’ decision clearly confirms that he is standing up for his
However, to people who desire equality, Atticus was a hero inspiring change. Judge Taylor assigned the Tom Robinson case to Atticus due to his trust in him to fight for justice. “Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple” (Lee 240). Even though most of the town treated Atticus fairly, they knew that Atticus is quite different. As Miss. Maudie explains to Aunt Alexandra why the town chose Atticus to defend Tom Robinson, it is clear that the case has taken a toll on all of the Finches. When a person is poor and convicted, especially a coloured man, their cases are given to new lawyers looking for experience. Usually, the verdict would be guilty due to the prejudice against coloured people and the lack of effort of lawyers. However, Atticus was the most open-minded lawyer in Maycomb and always strived for justice over prejudice or the perception of himself through others. No matter the situation, Atticus continued to fight for what is right. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 78). Even though the chances of winning the case was slim, Atticus persevered and listened to his own conscience to be able to face Jem and Scout. Atticus was different from other lawyers as he believed that achieving justice and being true to oneself is more important than society’s prejudicial standards, which for a lawyer, is a vital quality for saving many innocent