Craig Silvey’s novel, Jasper Jones, is simply To Killing a Mockingbird set in Australia in the 1960’s, because both of the books include similar characters, with the same storyline, exploring the same ideas and themes. Through these connections in the novel, Craig Silvey challenges the modern Australians to consider their idea of prejudice and what it means to be an Australian. Craig Silvey uses similar characterisation for each characters, matching them with the personas in Harper Lee’s novel to explore the similarities between the 1960’s Australians and the 1950’s Americans. Jasper Jones, who the town portraits as “…a Thief, a Liar, a Thug, a Truant” (pg 6) whereas he’s actually “…never stole a thing [he] dint need” (pg 44). This character is very alike to Tom Robinson, who Maycomb paints as “a rapist”, even though later on in the novel evidence could be found of Tom’s innocence. The villains in both of the novels are also very identical. Laura’s father is the corrupt mayor, who “…is the worst out of the whole lot” (pg 179). He despises …show more content…
Charlie, for instance, discovers corruption in his town, and finds out more injustice as the novel unfolds. He explains that the “night… pickpocket[s] [him] of precious things [he] can’t ever get back” (pg 41). This loss of innocence also applies to Scout and Jem, when Jem asks Atticus after they find out about the fall of Tom Robinson, “How could they do it, how could they?” and Atticus explains that he “[doesn’t] know, but they [do] it… and they'll do it again…” (Ch. 20). Another similarity is how Atticus Finch responds to prejudice when he explains to his children that, “…whenever a white man [cheats] a black man …that white man is trash” (Ch. 23). And when the people began to suspect Jasper Jones of kidnapping Laura, Charlie’s father “knew better” than to judge him
Over the course of the novel, the reader watches Jem mature from age 10 to age 13, growing up from a brave and playful boy, to a calm, collected young man similar to the likes of his father Atticus. One of the most important life lessons that Atticus teaches Jem is to always do the right thing even if it’s the hardest thing to do. Atticus Finch is known as a man who is “the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” (Lee, pg. 61) He lived by morals, and always abade by them. After Atticus took up the court case of Tom Robinson, a coloured man, he had many people insult him and make fun of him. Atticus knew that he couldn’t refuse the case, as he stated “before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”(Lee, pg.140) Atticus took the job that no person wanted, especially knowing that he was going to lose the case before it even began. In doing so, Atticus shows Jem that you should always be a man of your morals, that you should always do the right thing even if it is the hardest thing to do. Although he has a hard time understanding Atticus’ actions at first, Jem begins to comprehend his father’s values in the world around him, with more mature eyes.
Different voices shapes the representation of values. Jasper Jones “an Australian To Kill A Mockingbird” is a novel written by Craig Silvey. This fiction text is based in a rural country town in the 1960’s, as a coming of age novel, it provides many morals and values that the reader can take with them. Through the use of a wide range of literary techniques, some values from different characters that are found to be present in this novel are, the value of egalitarianism, the different voices that shape this value are Charlie Bucktin and what is interpreted from Laura Wishart’s letter to Jasper. Another value, is that true courage is facing your fears, especially when you have a lot to lose, the voices of Jeffrey Lu and Jasper Jones aid this
Atticus said, “They’ve done it befor and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep”(Lee 285). To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is about two siblings , Jem and Scout, who live in a small town called Maycomb. Their father Atticus, is a well known lawyer, who is defending an African American that was accused of raping a white women. Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout are introduced to discrimination and learn that it’s an everlasting problem. Prejudice and discrimination are important themes in To Kill a Mockingbird because of racism, sexism, and ageism.
Mr. Atticus Finch is a role model for his children, Jeremy and Jean Louise, or as better known Jem and Scout. Finch positively shapes his children’s identities through teachings, life lessons, morals and values. Firstly, Scout and Jem being naive, curious, and little adolescents, do not understand the meaning of some words such as rape. This leads to them to ask their father Atticus about the meaning of the word rape. Although some parents would not explain those types of words to their young children, Finch believes it is always best to tell the truth and be honest:"When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake.” (page 87) Finch believes evasion confuses children. Finch’s way of answering his children’s questions with honesty and the hundred percent truth helps satisfy their curiosity and provides Scout and Jem more insight
Atticus teaches the children how to not only recognize this problem of prejudice, but also how to defeat it. When a mob of men try to lynch Tom Robinson at the jailhouse and Atticus protects Tom, Scout innocently involves herself in the situation and as a result forces Mr. Cunningham to put himself in Atticus’s shoes. In his moment of realization, he disbands the mob, which saves Tom’s life. Atticus later explains to his children that “A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know - doesn’t say much for them, does it?” (Lee 179). Atticus says this in order to give his children a better understanding of the events of the previous night. He also wants the children to understand that all chains have a weak link, and finding that weak link in Mr. Cunningham
Not only through the use of Tom Robinson as a character and his unjust trial, but also through the use of the Finches coloured housekeeper, Cal, and the prejudice against Boo Radley because of his past crimes. Tom Robinson has done nothing wrong yet is still accused and even Atticus Finch, Tom’s lawyer, knows nothing can be done to defend a black man against two dishonest whites. The children’s naivety plays an important role in presenting the theme of prejudice in the book, especially the narration and how Scout, Jem, and Dill did not truly understand what was happening at the time, which creates an almost dramatic irony in the fact that the reader is able to comprehend more than the characters created by Lee.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird is historical novel that takes place in the 1930’s. In the book the author, Harper Lee, uses three characters to show how many hateful and racist people are in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. These three characters show how the town is racist and hateful towards them or their way of life. Tom Robinson is one of the three characters that was treated hatefully because he was african american.
Despite the conventional belief that white people are superior to black people in every way, Finch has unwavering faith in Tom Robinson’s innocence. He believes that the jury’s duty is to return Tom Robinson to the life of a free man. Atticus Finch being the only person willing to truly believe and defend Tom Robinson demonstrates the author’s purpose of discrimination and hatred of people based on race cruel. By making the character of Atticus Finch violate the rules of conduct by defending Tom Robinson, Harper
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is often considered a classic “Great American Novel”. It was the winner of the 1961 Pulitzer Prize in fiction and is the subject of many pop culture references and English classes. Set in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s, it tells the story of Atticus Finch, a lawyer, who defended a black man who was accused of raping a white woman. His children, Scout (Jean Louise Finch) and Jem (Jeremy Finch), are major characters who the reader watches grow up and live. Lee’s novel stands the test of time as it blends thematic examinations with thoroughly developed literary elements. Lee uses her small town setting to exemplify a theme of ignorance through the development of Miss Caroline,
When an innocent black man is controversially charged and killed on conviction of rape, two young siblings will discover their town is not as perfect as they thought in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In the novel, the girl, Scout, and her older brother, Jem, start out as innocent and carefree children, but undergo a change as problems arise for their family as a result of supporting the convicted yet innocent man, Tom Robinson. As Jem and Scout grow up and start to learn about their world, Lee introduces different scenarios in which Jem and Scout learn that not everyone in their world is kind and understanding. This makes the reader realize that innocence is a pure thing that only the most kind, carefree people can preserve, but
The injustice of Tom Robinson’s trial convinces Jem and Scout that racism blinds the jury and the people of Maycomb. The metaphor “to kill a mockingbird” becomes clear with the experiences of the defendant in court. When all members of the jury conclude the guilt of Robinson based on his race, the siblings are in disbelief of the wrongfulness of the jury’s mindset. The trial itself teaches them about what it means to accept one’s duty to do the right thing, regardless the outcome. After the loss of the first trial, Atticus receives more respect from the negroes and some of the white folk in
Childhood is an important part of anyone’s life as they learn to cherish and remember. In the story, Jem and Scout Finch are two kids trapped in a racial society during a time of segregation and inequality. Living in a time like this was a difficult lifestyle, and especially at a young age. Atticus Finch, the wise father of the two children, is a fighting lawyer who defends an innocent man who happens to have dark skin. They had to grow up quickly and take the role of young adults in order to keep their family, town, and each other safe.
Atticus is the town’s most respected lawyer. He is not wealthy, but he is well off in the community and is very kind towards everyone. As a single parent, he faces the world, raising his two children with his maid, Calpurnia, who experiences better conditions and responsibilities than other African Americans of her time, due to Atticus’ beliefs. He has a reputation for being an open-minded, fair man, and a unique personality that is overflowing with honesty. He has been assigned a case of defending a black man who is apparently accused of rape. Now Atticus is both loved and unloved by the townspeople. Since they live in the South during the 1930’s, Atticus gives a lot of advice to his children, Scout and Jem. Atticus tells Scout and Jem that they should not say anything about a person especially when they do not know that person. Atticus describes what he means in a quote “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around it”(Lee 39). Atticus defends a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a girl. Atticus has the confidence and the courage to defend Tom and prove that he is innocent. Scout does not believe that her father is nice enough or has the courage to defend Tom. Atticus proves that
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is written in 1960’s based upon themes from 1930’s about racist and prejudice people. This relevant novel despite its age is still associated with the English curriculum in contemporary Australian schools.
Harper Lee’s coming-of-age story reminds readers how far society has come. In the time period in which the novel is set, society faced many issues involving racism and discrimination. Now in the 2000’s the world doesn't focus on the colour of one’s skin but the person it carries. Harper Lee effectively represents African-American history in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the novel Lee shows how racism negatively affected Maycomb County’s population by utilizing major themes including racial discrimination and the right to a fair trial. Lee’s novel has a similar story to multiple cases in the early 1900’s as well as showing links to the troubles the town faced with the Great Depression and social standings.