There has been much controversy over whether or not the novel To Kill a Mockingbird should be banned or not. This novel teaches students about the racism and prejudice of the 1930’s resulting in why the world is the way it is, as well as many important life lessons, therefore it should be continued to be taught in schools. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned because it teaches about life in the past and why the world is the way it is now, proving that this novel has the ability to effectively educate kids about the past and potential impact of human behaviour. PARAGRAPH 1- Claim #1: This novel educates students about the racism and prejudice that was present in the 1930’s (reword claim) Support #1: Firstly, one of the main types of racism seen in the novel is racism towards black people. Evidence #1: “He stood up and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson. ‘—I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!’” **find different quote if possible** Elaboration #1: It is much easier to accuse a black man of committing a crime and have the whole town believe it, rather than a white man. It is Bob Ewell, not Tom Robinson, who had raped Mayella. Mayella does not want to tell the truth because she knows that If her father goes to jail there will be no one to support the family. Also, she is embarrassed of her actions and wishes to protect herself. If she tells the court that she was the one who advanced upon Tom, the people of Maycomb would look down upon her.
This novel takes place in the South in the 1930s, a time and place where racial prejudice is very strong. Mayella is a poor white woman, but her race gives her power to manipulate Tom Robinson, since he is a negro. Her word is given precedence over Tom Robinson’s in court simply because of her skin color. In this time period, women,
Because of offensive language and ideas that are represented in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, it has been banned in many school libraries and lessons. One of the main reasons that it was banned in school is because of offensive words like the n-word and also because of the fact that the plot is centered around rape. One of the school board members, Kenny Holloway, said, “We can teach the same lessons with other books.” Many people agree with Holloway’s opinion, saying that the same ideas that are represented in To Kill A Mockingbird could be taught with a less controversial book. However, other people say that students are tough enough to handle the story. While many people don’t think that this book is appropriate for school, some people
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged/banned countless times since it’s original publication in 1960. The reasoning people could have behind banning it is that they feel that the racism, language and subject matter in the book is offensive, inappropriate, immoral and that it encourages and condones such things. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, a small town in Alabama, during the depression from 1935-1937, and is told from the perspective of a little girl named Scout. In the book Scout’s father Atticus teaches her and her brother Jem many valuable lessons. The things Atticus teaches Scout and Jem are things we all need to know. To Kill a Mockingbird is an inspirational book that teaches valuable moral values,
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be read and taught in school considering the facts that it teaches the important message of learning to stand in other’s shoes, and that the reader can see the wide range of diversity such as socioeconomic status and race. In the real world, we will come across many different people with different backgrounds and views. It is easy to look at those people and think, “they are strange,” or “they don’t understand anything.” I admit, before reading this book I was insensitive to this and didn’t even realize when I looked at people and made those assumptions. This book has helped me be not so judgmental and be able to see from other people’s point of view. While some may say this book shouldn’t be taught because it is “racist” or
The second reason why To Kill a Mockingbird shouldn't be banned is because it tells a
To Kill a Mockingbird was once a book “every adult should read before they die.” The book is a classic, and a great example of American literature. However, many have complained about the book, too. I’ve read it and I personally think that it’s great book. I totally disagree on banning the book. Although I do think that there should be some sort of label on the book warning people about what’s in the content.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned and/or challenged over thirty times since its publication in 1960. Effectively preventing many students from enjoying the novel and benefitting from its message. To ignore racism is no different than denying it ever existed. To Kill a Mockingbird is appropriate for mature adolescence/students and should not be banned from schools. Despite its sexual related content, or profanity, a valuable lesson remains that should be taught to students.
Atticus says "She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her: she
Ever since To Kill a Mockingbird has been published, there have been many people who
This book is very true to life even today. We all go about our day with our own preconceived notions on life. The saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is very true when it comes to this book. Many people feel that it has no use for us in today’s society. They feel that due to the racist language it should be banned. An example seen here in an Interview by Mary Dempsey and Muriel Saunders, “"To Kill a Mockingbird," written in 1960 by Harper Lee. High school administrators in Muskogee, Oklahoma, removed that same book from the school's required reading list for freshman because, they say, the novel includes racially derogatory language that could offend African-Americans.” (Dempsey, Saunders). Society wants to hide the fact that the past
Have you ever heard or seen someone being racist to somebody else? Well if you have, you know it’s not right. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee uses unforgettable characters to explain civil rights and racism in the Southern United States of the 1930’s. I think schools should teach that book (To Kill a Mockingbird) because I think students will learn how racism hurts people. I believe it is an important book because it also shows its readers good examples of character development. This book also has great characters that students can relate to. I think that schools need to have a requirement to read this book because it shows students the right way to treat people even if they are different and that it is wrong to discriminate against people.
We ban books because we feel that they are unfitting or dangerous for society. “To Kill a Mockingbird” was banned simply because it says “nigger” more than just a few times. This I just don’t understand there are many other things that are much more dangerous than this book that should probably be banned. The word “nigger” along with several other words that are offensive, degrading, and downright disrespectful are in our music, on our phones, social media, and on television every day; so, if we are using this logic shouldn’t all of that be banned to? I mean seriously if this is your reason for banning this book then we have a lot of things that should be banned.
The book To Kill A Mockingbird is constantly being criticized by parents whose children read the book. One parent whose child went to a Virginia school said, “This is great literature. But there [are so many] racial slurs in there and offensive wording that you can’t get past that” (Hooton). This is seen when Cecil Jacobs calls Atticus a “Nigger lover” when on the playground with Scout (Lee 74). In To Kill A Mockingbird, parents have found ample reasons to not want their children reading the book. These include, multiple racial remarks, along with profanity (Kean). Some may argue that the use of this is inappropriate for some to read. This is seen as a parental choice. Parents should be able to decide if their child is mature enough to read
Mayella Ewell claimed Tom Robinson beat and raped her. Both of Bob’s and Mayella’s testimonies have many loose holes and have multiple things that don't add up. For example,Tom not being able to use his right arm, but Mayella claimed he got on to her, beat and choked her. “And so, a quiet, humble, respectable negro, who has had the unmitigated TEMERITY to feel sorry for a white woman, has had to put his word against two white peoples. The defendant is not guilty. But somebody in this courtroom is...now, gentlemen, in this country our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system. That's no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality!...” (Lee 273). This paragraph reveals the theme of racism in the city of Maycomb because Atticus has to re-explain why Tom is innocent. He has to keep telling them that the evidence from the Ewells don't add up, there was no positive medical kit, and Tom's story doesn't add up with the Ewells. It shows racism because it shows how far the people of Maycomb will go to make a black person suffer. It shows how much hate is filled with the whites of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is eventually shot 17 times by a police officer, and leaves behind his wife and three children. The outcome of Tom Robinson is horrible. But it shows how little the
Maycomb, Alabama is a small town in the 1930’s. Everything is peaceful until people in the town began struggling for power. which is determined by race, gender, and class. Mayella Ewell is a young girl who is struggling for power. She thinks that if she has power then she can get away from her father abusing her. So she tries her best to gain power, Mayella knows if she can get Tom Robinson to like her then she could be free.Tom Robinson is a African American , who tries to help Mayella by doing a few chores. Instead Mayella tells everyone that Tom took advantage of her. Mayella knows that Tom Robinson could not win in court, due to the fact that he is a black male. In the 1930’s people would say a black man could not be trusted around a