By a young age many were taught that killing was very bad, and that the killing of the innocent is worst, but other than that this lesson can not be taught. However, the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee captures readers into this 1930’s town that moves you to realize how harsh racism was and how if affects the lives of many innocent people. Indeed, to kill a mockingbird is a
To Kill a Mockingbird, a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, which first lined book shelves in 1960.The novel, revolutionary for it’s time, came filled with many symbols embedded in the clever writing techniques utilized by Harper Lee. One of the most recognized symbols from this novel is its namesake, the mockingbird. By definition it is a bird noted for its ability to mimic the songs of other birds. Miss Maudie makes an excellent point stating, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 119). Symbolically throughout To Kill a Mockingbird a mockingbird represents pure goodness and innocence, but that innocence dies when corrupted by evil.
It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird like it was a sin to kill Tom. Tom Robinson did not die in vain, all he did was try to help out and be good to this world. He did no harm, but had to die because he was a Negro. So, he had to be lying right? Another example shown was “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” says Scout on page 276.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee reveals that people often follow their biases and prejudices rather than the truth. Through the lesson Atticus tries to teach Scout, she learns that people will follow biases and prejudices rather than the truth. Within the book To Kill a Mockingbird the main character, Scout, her father is defending a black man in court. During his time defending, he is called name foul names by people in the community. This is a quote from the
Atticus really wants people to understabd that even though Tom is a Black he as equal as everyone else in that courtroom. Atticus specifically says, “ But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal …..”-Atticus Finch. The jury has left for a couple hours and is now back. Are you ready to find out the verdict? The verdict is Tom Robinson is guilty.
To the general public, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is an exceedingly controversial book that has caused debate in the academic community for decades. The question is: should To Kill a Mockingbird be taught in schools? In my opinion, it should, due to its progressive nature and ability to teach critical morals to the reader. However, it should only be taught in schools if the teacher discusses the book’s controversy with their students. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee not only includes progressive ideas, she also emphasizes standing up for what you believe in and using words as a force for change, rather than violence.
To Kill a Mockingbird was published right as the Civil Rights Movement peaked in the 1960s. Lee 's interest in the subject of civil injustices in the south began when she was just five years old. At the time, nine black men were on trial for raping two white women. This was a highly controversial and publicized trial. In the end, the nine men were sentenced to lengthy prison time.
Most of black people of Maycomb in the 1930swere terrorized of committing some crime because they could be lynched for a crime they did not commit or do. One example of the book in chapter 18 was the start of the trial of Tom Robinson who was accused of rape and was in fear of being lynched for a crime he did not do. The main meaning of to Kill a Mocking Bird is to show how black people were being thought of as non-human simply because of their skin color. Tom Robinson’s trial began at chapter 18 and he feared of being lynched. He was accused by Bob Ewell because his daughter told him the Tom Robinson was the one who raped her.
This was always going to be an unfair trial. In To kill a Mockingbird it is said that “A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted,
Robinson for three reasons. If they would have told the police, Muff Potter would not have been in jail for a crime he did not commit, Injun Joe should not have been able to run the streets a murderer, and it was the right thing to do. The first reason Tom and Huck should have told the police that Injun Joe killed Mr. Robinson was that if they would have told the police, Muff Potter would not have been in jail for a crime he did not commit. Injun Joe killed Mr. Robinson so he should be in jail instead of blaming Muff and making him suffer the consequences of what he did. In jail, there is no freedom and not having freedom is not something an innocent person should suffer.