The novels To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and Indian Horse, by Richard Wagamese, both have a similar focus around 3 themes. The reader is enlightened on the concerns of abuse, 2ND POINT and racism. A different perspective of these themes is given in the two books and together they create a bigger picture that allows for a better understanding. Harper Lee gives a detached distant view while Richard Wagamese gives a very personal approach. Abuse was perhaps the issue that both novels centered around. In To Kill A Mockingbird, the character Mayella Ewell is the subject of abuse, although we never see the abuse from her point of view we can use the information that was revealed in Tom Robinson’s trial to come to the conclusion that she was physically, mentally and perhaps sexually abused, as well as suffering from severe neglect. …show more content…
In what way?’ ‘Well-’ ‘Just describe her injuries Heck’ ‘Well, she was beaten around the head. There was already bruises comin’ on her arms, and it happened about 30 minutes before-” (Lee, 224). Mayella had most likely been suffering from years of abuse, and like most victims she was scared and ashamed. However, in contrast to Indian Horse where abuse is rampant and obvious, To Kill A Mockingbird was the opposite. St. Jerome’s, also called “hell on earth”, is home to mental, physical, and sexual abuse, along with neglect and suicide. There are multiple examples of each topic. Sheila Jack. Shane Big Canoe. Katherine Wolfe. Saul Indian Horse. Arden Little Light. Rebecca
There is the possibility of Mr Ewell hurting his own daughter instead of Tom as Mr Ewell is left-handed. When Mayella was questioned by Atticus as to whether Tom or her father harmed her, there was no response. It was perceived as a sign of guilty conscience.
When Mayella says “what her papa do to her don’t count” This means that her father sexually abuses her because this was said in Tom Robinsons examination during the trial when he says his point of view of the story and says that Mayella said “I aint ever kissed a grown man before.” So, we can assume when she says what her papa does to her doesn’t count that she means sexual abuse. During the trial Bob Ewell is also jumpy during the topic of him abusing Mayella this happens when Atticus Finch which is Tom Robinsons lawyer asks Mayella if he is “easy to get along with.” (Doc B) This shows that she is abused by her father because as soon as that topic came up, he stopped leaning his chair sat up straight and looked at Mayella.
Mayella has gotten verbally abused because Atticus asked her “except when he’s drinking? Asked Atticus so gently that Mayella nodded. ”(Doc B) Mayella has also been physically abused because Atticus said “What did her father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left. ”(Doc B)
Another reason how Mayella is powerful is by her gender. It states that he “... tried to help her…”. This is saying since Mayella is a girl that a guy will do anything to help a girl that needs help. It states “yes, suh I felt sorry for her…”. According to this statement, it
Mayella was guilty of victimizing Tom Robinson, but she herself was also a victim. Atticus said in his speech at the trial, “[Mayella] is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her… She knew full well the enormity of her offense” (Lee 272). Mayella knew what she was doing. She
Synthesis Essay Outline Thesis: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Night by Elie Wiesel, the virtuous and pure characters, Tom Robinson, Elie, and Hassan are victims of prejudice based on their race, ethnicity, and religion; these “mockingbirds” are robbed of their innocence due to the evil of prejudice. I. a. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson, a well-mannered and kind-hearted colored man, unjustly loses his life because of the strong hold racial prejudice has on his small southern town.
Through the Medicine Wheel, we are reminded of our lifelong journey that is continuous upon birth and living through youth, adulthood and senior years. In Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, the protagonist Saul experiences many obstacles which shape and develop his character. Saul’s life can be divided into more than the four stages of life to better understand his journey. Saul’s Life with His Family The time Saul was able to spend with his family was very short due to the effects of the white men.
The detrimental and unfair categorization of people by race, gender and more, commonly known as discrimination, affects many in society both mentally and emotionally. Many instances of this act of hatred occurred among Aboriginal and Native Canadians in the 20th century. However, for a little Native Indian boy stepping onto the rink, this is the norm that surrounds him. Saul Indian Horse, in Richard Wagamese’s “Indian Horse”, faces discrimination head on, where his strengths for hockey are limited by the racial discrimination from the surrounding white ethnicity. Consequently, this racism draws him into a mentally unstable state, where he suffers heavy consequences.
“... It was her right eye, Mr. Finch. I remember now, she was bunged up on that side of her face…” (Lee 193), “Your left handed, Mr. Ewell … ” (Lee 201). This implies that Mayella wasn't beaten by Tom, but by Bob Ewell, her father.
“Bruises fade, but the pain lasts forever” (Christina Kelly). This compelling quote depicts the horrifying side effects of abuse. In the gripping novel titled “Indian Horse,” author Richard Wagamese successfully informs readers about the severely unfair conditions in which the Native Indians were treated. Through Saul’s terrifying experiences in the Residential school and hockey tournaments, readers can effectively identify the purpose of the novel – treating someone through any kind of abuse can leave them with long lasting pain, and memories that will haunt them forever. There were numerous incidents at the residential school regarding physical abuse, and after effects that followed.
To Kill a Mockingbird Argumentative Essay Racial equality and discrimination is a founding issue that has been spread throughout every part of the world, To Kill A Mockingbird was written and published by Harper Lee in 1960, this time was dominated by civil rights protests and some of the first hippie movements following the crushing reality of the Vietnam War, the 60s also saw the struggle against segregation and racial equality. It is no surprise that the extreme political conflict affecting her life and world would greatly impact her writing and influence how she perceived the world during the writing of To Kill a Mockingbird. the influence of the fight for racial inequality is shown greatly in her book as she depicts the everyday life
Literature can be analyzed with many different critical lenses. While analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird, one may use a critical lens to recognize the different ideas throughout the novel. Harper Lee’s novel demonstrates her perspective on intolerance and discrimination within the early twentieth century. Firstly, intolerance of people who are different is very prevalent within the novel.
Mayella was not favored by the people in Maycomb. She was extremely poor and never spoke on any harassment she suffered from her father. Tom Robinson attempts to get the truth out in the open when he is giving his testimony, “She said what her papa do to her don’t count” (Doc B). Mayella doesn’t fully understand that her father is physically abusive towards her. To her it’s just love.
Mayella Ewell is a victim. Mayella is a victim of her father, Bob Ewell, because he is an alcoholic that abuses her. During the Tom Robinson trial, Atticus proved Bob Ewell to be left-handed. Based on Bob and Heck Tate’s testimonies, Mayella’s right eye was blackened
How does Harper Lee vividly capture the effects of racism and social inequality on the citizens of Maycomb county in ‘To kill a mockingbird’? In the novel, ‘To kill a mockingbird’, Harper Lee conveys the theme of racism and social inequality by setting up the story in Maycomb, a small community in Alabama, the U.S back in 1930s. Lee presents some of the social issues of 1930s such as segregation and poverty in the novel. These issues are observed and examined through the innocent eyes of a young girl, Scout, the narrator.