To Kill A MockingBird Black or White
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view….” Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. In the 1930’s, things were tough because race was a major influence in America.
“Rowena: ‘Eloise needs more love than just her grandfather can give her.’
Elliot: ‘What she needs is stability, especially now since she’s lost her grandmother…’
Rowena: [clears her throat loudly]
Jeremiah: ‘One of her grandmothers’
Jeremiah: ‘Do you dislike black people?’
Elliot: ‘Not all of them”(B or W).
This is 2016, where things have changed, and people's ideas are changing. Have people really changed their perspective on racism? In To KIll A Mockingbird, the mindset was white people were superior. In the film Black or White, there is progress to the mindset of how people see race, but there is still detriment with racial overtones.
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Back then there was racism that was heavily predominated and encouraged inequality. This book revolves around the trial of Tom Robinson for allegedly raping a white woman. The problem is, no matter what the case, facts were, the white lady was going to win.
"There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life (TKAM).”
Atticus is also saying that the law of justice is flawed in many ways. The law back in the 1930’s was set to the detriment of black people for winning any case against a white person. Also throughout the book, it shows if a person showed any kind of positive treatment to colored folks they would be shunned. A great example would be, Dolphus
Racism has the power to change anybody’s life. Jem Finch is a young teen character from To Kill a Mockingbird who longed for the warm summer days when he could just play on the lawn and not care about the future. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that he cannot just play around when he knows what is going on around him and what is happening to the black community of Maycomb, Alabama. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a success in the world of literature. Set in the 1930’s down south where racism was rampant, Harper Lee shows us the challenges of growing up in a community of inequality through the characters Jem and Scout Finch. Jem is older than Scout by 3 years so he understands how serious the nature of racism is and
A town in itself has a personality like that of a living being. Its personality is a result of its past experiences, its occupants, and surrounding influences. These forces combine and act in a complicated way to move a city, like an organism, through growth and change. Significant forces such as the great depression influence attitudes, such as racism, toward others as individuals compete to survive. In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Scout, the daughter of a lawyer by the name of Atticus Finch, tells the story of growing up in the small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Through her eyes, the reader discovers many of the struggles of the period faced by its inhabitants and resembled
At some point everyone has judged someone or has been judged , and this leads to stereotypes and prejudice. In to “Kill a Mockingbird” Harper Lee displays how judging a man by his color leads to unfortunate events. Through symbolism , stereotypes, colorism , Harper lee shows that everyone eventually judges even if they don’t see it as judging .
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Racism is still an issue that can be seen in the twenty-first century. Although, tons of progress has been made over the last century, some still hold on to racist beliefs. The majority of classic American literature demonstrates the racism that was present in the early twentieth century. By looking at the theme of race in the American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is clear that people are quick to judge others based on their own opinions and feelings.
For him, like many other real-life Negroes in American history, the principles underpinning political, social and criminal justice failed. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus’ belief that, “in our courts all men are created equal,” ( p. 209) makes a complete mockery of the judicial system.
Atticus is a firm believer in equal rights and to show this he did his best to treat everyone fairly. He has noticed the racism going on in the town and he is not okay with this, to show this, Atticus teaches his kids that racism is unfair and unreasonable “ “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday
Within Many novels we encounter multiple messages, to help us grow and mature. Specifically in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, we learn that it is important to consider other people's perspective, situations, and choices. Starting from Boo Radley's isolation away from the town of Maycomb, because of what has happened to him in the past. To Atticus’ choice to treat everyone as an equal by deciding to help a black man, and treat them all the same. And lastly, the Cunningham's life style, as they are farmers who don't gain a lot of money, and are seen as lower class people. Throughout the novel we see there's more behind all three of theirs stories and choices towards them teaching us a greater lesson. Preparing us as we get older,
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is set in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The main character in the film is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is a highly respected lawyer in Maycomb and is relatively financially-stable compared to the rest of the people in his community, even amidst the Great Depression. In Maycomb, a black man named Tom Robinson is being sent to trial for raping a white woman. Due to this town being heavily populated by whites and extremely racist, it was almost impossible for Tom Robinson to find a lawyer who would defend him at trial.
“ As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t forget it whether a white man does that to a black man, no matter who [or what] he is … That white man is trash” (297). Atticus is saying that every man should respect and accepting of all men including the blacks. The truth of the matter is that man is a man and prejudice is never the answer but a choice of those who don’t want to try to understand but they pre-judge making a stereotype. Prejudice still exist but we need to bring awareness and extinguish it.
Atticus believes that everyone should be equal and that it isn’t fair for black people to get treated unfairly in court. Harper Lee explains this by adding, "Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal." Here, Atticus is describing the principles of blind justice and equality under the law. Courts should decide cases objectively without favoring any race or gender, for example. "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box.
Putting your own life in danger is a very drastic step to try to make a change. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is one of the only characters in the book who stands up to gender and racial stereotypes, and he experiences major serious threats and backlash for doing so. In doing so, he embodies the concept of choosing to participate, which requires one to stand up for something that they know is right and even when there might be resistance. Choosing to participate is taking a stand with your head and mind, not with your body. It requires one to stand up for an innocent black man who is being accused of a crime everyone knows he did not commit.
The story To Kill A Mockingbird is about a lawyer named Atticus defending a black man named Tom Robinson in a poor country full of racism. His kids Scout and Jem are being taking care of by a black lady named Calpurnia. Atticus want’s everyone to be treated equally. Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird, gives the reader a gist of the 1930’s in many ways using real life situations.
Racism throughout the years has changed significantly. Whether or not it has changed for the better or for the worse, isn’t clear. What has changed the most within the years, is the way we convey racism towards others. In the 1930’s it was more of a physical torture, but now with media in the picture, and laws intact, many hate crimes are being committed and racial groups are gathering to destroy the minorities. Therefore, we show the same amount of racism, we just now express it in many different ways.
These are the two quotes from the book I found most prominent for the subject of race. “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” Said by Atticus, page 224. Atticus is explaining in this quote to Jem and Scout how bad human ignorance has become regarding the treatment of whites and blacks. Jem and Scout have been taught that the color of one’s skin doesn’t define that person, therefore, we shouldn’t treat them that way. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” Said Atticus, page 76. Atticus is talking about the trial and how he feels about his chances of winning. It explains how people have discriminated blacks for a long time, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to change that. Ignorance is caused by race in To Kill a Mockingbird and has been done so in two very defining
Atticus Finch is widely regarded as one of the most influential characters in modern literature. His pivotal role in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee exemplifies this influence and demonstrates his positive effect on his children, Jem and Scout. Throughout the novel, Atticus leads by example and provides lessons and teachings for his children to follow. His wisdom proves to be an instrumental part in the maturation and development of his children, and helps them to grow, learn, and adapt to the changing world around them. Atticus Finch teaches his children important lessons by forcing Jem read to Mrs. Dubose, remaining pacifistic, and defending Tom Robinson; therefore, he is a beneficial father and role model for his children.