Examples Of Cruelty In To Kill A Mockingbird

This quote relates to morality because it portrays how society was like several years ago. Morality is the ability to decipher what’s right and wrong to establish the truth. For instance, racism took a huge part in the county as many white citizens bestride over the negroes to show power. During the case with Tom Robinson, Atticus was able to provide substantial evidence to prove that Tom Robinson was not guilty regardless of what the other witnesses had said. However, since the jury consisted primarily of white race, the final verdict was announced as guilty. This shows how even though it was obvious that Tom would’ve won the case, it isn’t fair that they determined this by categorizing their race. It shows morality when Atticus acknowledges the fact that they are living in a racist world where the innocent could potentially be punished for an act that they did not commit to.

When the closing argument comes about, Atticus tells the people on the jury that they need to look past Tom being “Black Man” and see him and treat him just as a regular man. Atticus is trying to have them do the right thing instead of listening to the town and doing the wrong thing. Atticus has a bad feeling that it's not going to end well for Tom so he tries to appeal what the jury is trying to do.

In this scene Atticus is conversing with Jem about why Bob Ewell spat in Atticus’ face. Then, Atticus says, “... ‘I destroyed his last shred of credibility in that trial, if he had any to begin to begin with’” (292). This quote demonstrates that Atticus’ reputation suffers because he’s stealing something from a impoverished person. To paraphrase, Atticus destroyed Bob’s credibility when he had little to start with. Therefore, members of the community will view down on this. In the next section Mrs. Dubose is verbally abusing Jem during their reading session. She claims, “... Your father is no better than the niggers and trash he works for!’” (135). This quote is evidence that Atticus’ reputation suffers because of the case. Mrs. Dubose views African-Americans as inferior and because Atticus is aiding Tom she equates Atticus to a colored person. In the final scene the jury reached a census on Tom’s conviction which is, “...’Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty…’” (282). This quote shows that Atticus was going to lose no matter what. This damages the family’s reputation as a lawyer. In addition, he also helped a black person which makes future clients skeptical to choose Atticus as their

Atticus starts off the speech saying “gentlemen,” “I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time to remind you that this is not a difficult one.” Atticus's tone sheds a few layers, too, becoming conversational rather than businesslike. He uses figurative language when he says “This case is as simple as black and white.” Basically, he points out that there's no evidence and that the prosecution is banking on the stereotype that all African-Americans are immoral liars who rape white women whenever they get the chance. He goes on to say that Tom is not guilty but someone in the room is. He supports this statement when he proves that Mr. Robinson can’t use his right hand. He tells the jury that they're smart enough to see that for

In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, cruelty comes up again and again as a central theme and driving force in the plot. The novel takes place during the Great Depression, a time period where segregation is the norm, and cruelty is commonplace. The main character, Scout, grows up seeing all of this, and questions it. She watched racism take place around her, and grew up throughout the course of the novel, and found that even though the events that transpired were unpleasant, they made her a better person.

In this novel, there are some parts that show racism. Atticus is the best lawyer in Maycomb. In chapter 9, he started to defends Tom Robinson. All the people in Maycomb disagree about defending Tom, Negro men. However, he believes Tom Robinson and Atticus work hard to defend him. Therefore, some people pissed to Atticus.

The root of any discrimination is dehumanization, no large group of people can sincerely hate or cause pain to a group of people based off of race, color, sexuality, gender, religion or any other separating factor without dehumanizing them. Every single time in history where people in power have taken advantage of a specific group of people, they have had to dehumanize them. There is no debate about that. Harper Lee not only uses To Kill a Mockingbird as a direct protest against the Jim Crow Laws, but she also protests the reason people allowed themselves to sleep at night.

Since the very beginning of America, racism has always been an issue that cannot be solved. Slavery was the start of it and even after it ended, society had still managed to find ways to be oppressive. The Jim Crow laws were created for states in the south, in which it strongly enforced segregation from the late 1890’s until the 1960’s. People of color were not allowed to share the same bathrooms as whites, use the same water fountain, or eat in the same restaurant. The Jim Crow laws especially gave a huge advantage to people that are white in the courtroom. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee believes that white privilege can overrule any evidence in the courtroom.

We live in a society today where judging others is a regular, everyday activity. Many people may blame a significant amount of this issue on the excessive amount of technology we have access too, but this problem has been around for much longer. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, it shows the ugliness that can come from judging others, but it also teaches two young children, Scout and Jem, to listen to others, so that you can have the opportunity to learn from them. Throughout the story many characters were able to demonstrate this lesson for the kids, but three that were true examples of it were Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch and Boo Radley. With only aiming to stand up for what they believe in and not worrying what everyone

In the 1930s, if a black man was on trial there was a ample chance he would be convicted even if evidence proved he was innocent. Throughout history humans being prejudice and bias have affected the lives of thousands of people; some ending with favorable outcomes while others weren’t so fortunate. Within the book To Kill a Mockingbird the readers learn that prejudice and bias people outnumber the understanding and kind. One decision or in this case twelve decisions decide the fate for an unfortunate man. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee reveals that people often follow their biases and prejudices rather than the truth.

Within the novel, Atticus is defending a black man by the name of Tom Robinson who was accused of raping a young woman. How Atticus handled this trial is widely considered to be fair. He asked just and equal questions to all the witnesses along with Tom and Mayella, the girl who cried rape. Why does Atticus do this instead of just giving up on Tom? It is simply explained with “if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (Lee,100). He wants to hold his head high instead of enduring a nagging conscious from doing something unjust for another hard working man. “I’m simply defending a Negro- his name’s Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean-living folks.” (Lee, 100). Even though Atticus knows he will most likely lose from a white man’s word against a black’s, he still gives this case his undivided attention. Atticus defended Tom to the last moment when he is eventually taken away to prison. He heard both sides of the story equally just as he has with his own children’s problems, and put reason to hericies. Even so, not every battle can be won within

A person cannot call themselves a noble person if they can’t understand others. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is told in first person by Jean Louise Finch or by her nickname, Scout a 6-year-old. Harper Lee, depicts Atticus Finch as a proficient father to his two children, Scout and Jim, 10-year-old. Atticus teaches his children life lessons, one being it 's a sin to kill a mockingbird. Showing them the harsh reality of life with honesty and fearlessness. During this time the Great Depression was hitting the southern town of Maycomb. This novel compares many of its characters to mockingbirds, a symbol of pure innocence. One summer, Atticus, who is a lawyer, finds himself in the middle of a controversial case, involving a African American man, Tom Robinson and a white woman, Mayella. Despite the town throwing hatred towards Atticus and his family, he doesn’t back down because he takes pride in helping the innocent. Even if Atticus can’t win the trial he fights hard because he wants to be a role model to Jem and Scout.

The first reason it makes sense for Atticus to stand up for Tom is because back then black people were treated as slaves and they weren’t appreciated like the whites were.Atticus was also being very courageous.Judge Taylor pleads Tom guilty. “Judge Taylor was polling guilty,guilty,guilty (Lee 282).This shows how Tom was pleaded guilty. “Atticus says, “Link that boy might go to the chair,but he’s not going to the truths been told (Lee 195).” This shows how Atticus was being courageous saying how nothing 's gonna happen until someone tells the truth.

Over the years many people have been prejudice to biracial children and adults. Many people believe that they are an outcast and don’t belong seeing as they aren 't necessarily one color. I believe as a biracial person myself that we are just as good and should be seen in the same light as every other person in the world. Many biracial kids and adults have been prejudiced against in different forms including being called only one color, not being able to marry the person they want, and being an outcast among other people.

Thesis Statement/opening paragraph: In the story To Kill A Mockingbird, discrimination and the act of being prejudice is common among the main characters, on both the receiving and serving end. Certain characters, like Scout and Jeremy Finch, Bob Ewell, and the town folk truly create the main problem and set the theme of the story. For example, when Bob Ewell accuses Atticus Finch of being an african-american lover, because he is defending Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, according to Bob. Boo Radley is accused of being dead by Scout, Jem and Dill. In this essay, I will tell you the biggest people affected by discrimination and the act of prejudice.