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
Physicist Albert Einstein once said, “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen”. He means that you didn’t just randomly become so judgmental one day. You acquired all of the common sense that you have now based on where you grew up, and the influences that were around you. You were taught to automatically judge people and assume things based on appearance, skin color, and rumors. Judgement is always prevalent in society in many ways; no matter what you try to do, people will always make assumptions and judge you.
Throughout the story, Jem (taken from the word gem meaning a cherished and prized person) is used by Harper Lee as a representation of courage. In the beginning, Jem’s first act of courage occurs when Jem accepts Dill’s provocation to go and touch the Radley house. In the story, Scout says, “In all his life, Jem has never declined a dare” (Lee 16). This quote shows how Jem would never demur any sort of challenge, even if it involved stupid or childish acts like going to a forbidden place. Scout also shows how Jem even accepted a dare from her to jump off the roof of the house as a kid. An Enotes comment says that “Jem was scared but he overcame that fear and ran up and touched the house.” Even though these two acts were childish, they were brave and bold for someone his age and maturity none the less.
Everyone knows Jem from To Kill a Mockingbird, but do you? How well do you know Jem? To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about the deep south told through a young girl's perspective, a perspective of innocence written by Harper Lee. Jem plays an important role in To Kill a Mockingbird, because he had his dreams broken at a young age. This character has an unbelievable amount of backstory and depth to it because he is a good brother, great son, and a man of honor.
Courage is not strength or skill, it’s simply standing up for what you believe in and what is right. This is the theme that was enrolled after Jem destroys Mrs.Dubose’s camellias and after she died in chapter 11. This passage also reveals Jem’s coming of age moment. After using conflict, symbolism, and point of view, Harper Lee was able to connect the theme with Jems coming of age moment.
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.
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.
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.
“Dad, you have to buy me this, my friend has this at school and it is SO cool. It only costs ten dollars, please.” A good father may be the one that always buys anything, and everything for their child/children but in reality, a father with good punishement, and teaching to do the right thing may be considered a good father. Atticus Finch may not be like your average everyday father. From Jem and Scout’s point of view, they do not see anything “wrong” with him. Being a father must be hard, but being a father in Maycomb, Alabama around 1930 makes it even harder for the whole family. While Atticus is not a good father because he does not punish his children, Atticus is a good father to Scout and Jem. Atticus
The levelers of court have a sense of power that gives citizens a feeling of intimidation. Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, gives us the feeling of unfairness and how people are treated by the way they look. In court people are treated unfairly and not all men are created equal. Throughout time there have been cases where people were accused of crime because of how they look. In the 1930s the case with the Scottsboro Boys was a case some say was unfair. Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird, mistakenly asserts that in court all men are created equal. Our courts treat people unfairly based on the way some citizens look, giving us the societal perception that we should be aloud to treat those people unfair.
Racism in the 1930’s served as an injustice to blacks that were convicted of crimes. In the time periods of the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Scottsboro Boys trial, discrimination in Alabama was atrocious, and racial injustice was seen throughout this time period. The Scottsboro trial shows how discrimination played a large role in Alabama during the 1930’s. This influenced Harper Lee’s to write about the Tom Robinson case. In many ways, the Scottsboro trials were more similar to the Tom Robinson case, but at some points had differences.
Everyone faces adversity, some more than others, but that is not all bad. Arthur Radley hid because of what people did to him, and to others. But he came out when someone showed that they genuinely cared. Jem Finch faces adversity just by growing up, but also because of the racism and hate in Maycomb. Atticus Finch is disliked for taking Tom Robinson’s case, but is still respected as a man of integrity. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops the idea that when a person faces adversity in his or her life it causes positive growth in their character as well as in others’ characters.
Innocence is a word used to describe someone 's purity. Children are prime examples of innocence, as they don’t have judgments and don’t understand mature topics. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the reader can interpret innocence as the growing up of the children. Specifically, Jem Finch showed a loss of innocence as he grew up. He showed his loss of innocence by not playing games, his more mature use of words and body language, and his different view of the world around him. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem Finch goes through change and his innocence of the world is lost as the book progresses.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee many characters are victims of the harsh conditions of Maycomb County. Often those who are seen to be metaphorical mockingbirds are punished the most. A mockingbird is one who only wants and attempts to do good. Characters such as Boo Radley, Jem Finch and Tom Robinson are exemplars of mockingbirds in Maycomb. In the novel it is explained by Atticus that killing a mockingbird is a sin because they do not do anything to harm to us like nesting in corncribs, or eating up the gardens, they only sing for us. Multiple characters are symbolized as mockingbirds because it would be a sin to kill them as they only try and want to be a kind, civil person.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout 's perception of courage drastically changes their behavior as they mature. They learn a lot about courage throughout the novel from their father Atticus and what they learn from him influences their choices and opinions. Although Jem is older than Scout, they both experience change in their behavior. At the beginning of the novel, Jem is still a young boy. He is defiant towards Atticus, he plays all the usual childhood games with Scout and Dill, and he engages in the younger children’s obsession with Boo Radley. As the novel progresses, Jem becomes less defiant and more understanding of adults. Jem witnesses the physical and moral courage of his father before and during the trial of