...Standing by ones morals and acting against ones fears represents true courage. In To Kill a Mockingbird, true courage can be shown through moral courage, mental courage, and physical courage. In To Kill a Mockingbird, standing up for what one believes in shows moral courage. Firstly, Atticus defending Tom Robinson even when he knew he would lose shows moral courage. Atticus is a well-known and respected figure in Maycomb. Choosing to defend a...
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...specifically how the characters are related to us. Jemma: So first, for those of you who didn’t pay attention in class, here’s a few things you need to know. Georgia: To Kill a Mocking bird is written by Harper Lee, and was published in 1957. This book is from a “first person” point of view and told by a young girl called Scout, living in a small county called Maycomb in Alabama. Jemma: This novel is set in the 1930's. Scout’s father is a lawyer and he has to represent an innocent black man accused of rape. At that time, black people were frowned upon and accused of all sorts of things. Scout and her brother Jem are frightened of a neighbour they have never met called Arthur Radley, who ends up saving their lives in the end. The title of the novel comes from something Scout's father said that Mockingbirds are harmless and sing and you should never kill one. Georgia: One of the first characters that I think related to me would be Atticus. One of the things I can draw a connection with is that Atticus is doing what’s right despite what others say or think. When I was in primary school, book week story… this can be drawn to the part in the book where Atticus defends Tom Robinson, white people were quite sceptical of Atticus and mortified of themselves in a way. Whereas Atticus knew that he was doing the right thing by defending Tom even though everyone in the town started talking about him. Jemma: Standing up for people is compassionate and empathetic. It shows great courage and bravery...
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...small town offers. People look out for one another, the people have and show respect to others, and people show character in more ways than one. What makes up character exactly? Character is made up of different traits that people carry such a respect, dignity, and most importantly; courage. Courage is how a person feels in any situation whether good or bad. The people of Macomb have a great deal of courage that engulfs the town. Most people in the town believe in helping out one another. In chapter eight of “To Kill a Mockingbird” the town helps to put out a fire...
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...of the major events that happen during the course of the novel, including the Tom Robinson trial. While the story progresses, Scout’s views about life mature. Scout is different than most little girls at the time. She wears overalls instead of dresses and learns to climb trees with Jem and Dill rather than learning manners.She starts to understand how to look at things from someone else’s point of view, instead of only her own, and, “step into their skin,” as Atticus tells her, in order to understand people’s feelings. She progresses from a short-tempered tom boy to an empathetic young girl. Although she is still young, her understanding of the world is progressing rapidly. Jem Jeremy (Jem) Finch is the brother of Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, and the son of Atticus finch. He is four years older than Scout. He is Scout’s playmate and protector throughout the novel. Although he slowly weans himself from Scout’s little games, he remains her closest companion and guardian. He and his views on life are deeply affected by the Tom Robinson trial because of the amount of sheer prejudice and cruelty of the trial. Jem learns what real courage is. Atticus knew that he was going to lose the trial, but he tried anyways, and Jem saw that. In addition he learns not to harm things that did not harm you. By seeing Tom Robinson, and innocent man killed by the cruelty and racism of the white people, and witnessing Arthur (Boo) Radley, a truly nice man, and the one who in the end saves Scout and...
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...How symbolism can help you better understand To Kill a Mockingbird In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee uses symbolism to reveal an overall theme of human dignity. Maycomb County is a typical sleepy southern town that is blinded by the disease of racism. An innocent black man becomes a victim of the disease when he is accused of rapeing a white woman. Firstly the symbols Jem’s pants and the rolly-polly show the important theme of maturation. Furthermore the symbols Tim Johnson and the snowman highlight a theme of destroying racism. Lastly one-shot Finch and the perfect white waxy camellia symbolize true courage. Harper Lee uses Jem’s pants and the rolly-polly as symbols to convey a theme of maturation. Jem and Scout where in the Radley’s backyard trying to get a look at Boo Radley when Jem see’s a shadow the children immediately flee form the house. As the children were running through the collards as they hear the roar of a shotgun. As Jem and Scout are fleeing the scene Jem’s pants gets caught in the fence and he has to leave it in their backyard if he wants to survive. Later that night he says how he needs to go back and retrieve his pants not for him but for Atticus, “‘Atticus ain’t never whipped me ever since I can remember, and I wanta keep it that way.’” (Lee 75). He goes back to get his pants to keep his relation shit with Atticus. There is a evident theme maturation in Jem at this point, from when he thought turtles could not feel, too now when he is showing...
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...Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum." Page 5 Analysis The descriptive detail paints a vivid picture of the town of Maycomb, which provides some insight on Scout's feelings about Maycomb. In addition, the narrator provides the setting for the story and sets the mood for a quiet and somewhat dull town, which sets the stage for the conflict of Tom's trial. Chapter 2 Quotation "'Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now.' I mumbled that I was sorry and retired meditating upon my crime." Page 17 Analysis Scout's first grade teacher makes her feel bad about being able to read, when she should feel proud that she can read and write at such a young age. Scout even apologizes and referred to her ability as a crime. This exchange demonstrates how many people in Maycomb are very small minded in their views. Chapter 3 Quotation "'First of all,' he said, 'If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-' 'Sir?' '-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'" Page 30 Analysis This passage exemplifies the special bond between Atticus and his daughter, Scout. Throughout the novel, Scout learns more from her father than anyone else. Atticus...
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..."I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what"- Atticus Finch. Also courage is a part of growing up but it's the type of courage that determine whether a person matures or evolved from once they once were. In addition, to this in novel To Kill a Mockingbird there are two children Scout and Jem, that experience things a child should never go through. However, by going through a time of Great Depression and dealing with a prejudice town they have evolved from the naive kids they used to be. Except, in this essay it's about who has evolved the most throughout the novel. Therefore, Jem has changed the more than Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird" because he has proved more mature than Scout. Towards the middle of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem evolves by following Atticus as a role model.For example Jem shows maturing by stating 'I reckon if he'd wanted us to know it, he'da told...
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...Mr. Underwood compares the murder of Tom to the “senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children” (Lee 323). Robinson is clearly defined as a mockingbird and that his death was at the hands of “hunters” or law enforcers. Meaning, that Tom is obviously shown to be the “songbird” that is discussed continuously. Robinson is part of the black community which automatically makes him a handicap in such a predominately white society. This is important because it shows the unjust treatment of a “crippled” in a racially dysfunctional community. The mistreatment and demise of Robinson, being a handicap, goes back to symbolize the sin of killing an innocent and beautiful creature: the...
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...charged with raping Mayella Ewell, the nineteen year old daughter of the impoverished Bob Ewell. Jem and Scout are shown going through a tremendous amount of growing up in this novel - not only physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and morally. The children learn more about the real world in brushes with the outside world, such as at school. They are also intrigued by their mysterious neighbor Boo Radley, who had been locked up in his house for a petty crime as a teenager, as he had not been outside his house for decades. Arthur "Boo" Radley is an object of great wonder and speculation for the children, who imagine him to be a savage. They have many opportunities for life lessons in observations of their neighbors like the kindly Miss Maudie, a confidante for the children, and the mean old Mrs. Dubose, imagined to be the meanest person alive. Jem and Scout gain much insight into the workings of the society in which they live through Tom Robinson's trial, and ultimately shed their childhood innocence at that point. When Dill Harris, a little boy only a year older than Scout, comes to Maycomb, Jem, Scout and Dill indulge in play together, enacting scenes from Tarzan, Tom Swift and such, until "by the end of August, [their]...
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...have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch plays an important role in influencing Scouts education, Morals, and her overall development. He does so through his words and actions. Atticus Finch plays an important role in educating Scout through out the book. He teaches her many subjects such as the importance of education. Atticus told Scout, “If you'll concede the necessity of going to school, we'll go on reading every night like we always have. Is that a bargain?” (P.41) Atticus comprehends that education is extremely important consequently leading him to bargain with her although he could be in trouble by doing so. Scout then learns the importance of education because although she knows he'll get into trouble, he'll do anything so she'll continue to attend school. He also thought her indirectly how to read. Scout says, “I never deliberately learned to read... I could not remember when the lines above Atticus's moving finger separated into words... everything Atticus happened to be reading when I crawled into his lap every night.” (P.23) Scout never directly learned from Atticus how to read, “ I never deliberately learned to read” but he indirectly thought her to read by always having her while he read. As she said that the “words above Atticus's fingers separated into words.” He always thought her the best way to solve any problem. Once Atticus...
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...William Qi English Honors 12/17/12 Block C To Kill a Mockingbird Essay How does the theme of “appearance vs. reality’ play a role in this story? Have you ever heard of the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Many people have, yet they still treat people unfairly without getting to know them. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author is able to use the theme of appearance vs. reality to portray many characters in the book in a relationship that can give readers two different sides of a person. For the residents of Maycomb County, Boo Radley is rumored to be a malevolent phantom that mutilates animals, stalks people at night, and runs with the rebellious crowds before he was locked up in his room. Although, the children have never seen Boo Radley, Jem speculates that “Boo was about six and a half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels… that are why his hands are bloodstained… There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time (pg 16).” This description shows how misguided they are due to the outrageous myths about Boo spread around town by adults. However, as the story moves forward, more insight on the real character of Boo is revealed through various incidents. When Jem and Scout were walking home one day, Jem finally confesses what happened to his pants that night when they tried to sneak a...
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... Truman Capote, in his research for the book In Cold Blood. II.INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOVEL Classification- To Kill a Mockingbird is embodied by Atticus Finch, who is virtually unique in the novel in that he has experienced and understood evil without losing his faith in the human capacity for goodness. Atticus understands that, rather than being simply creatures of good or creatures of evil, most people have both good and bad qualities. The important thing is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their perspective. He tries to teach this ultimate moral lesson to Jem and Scout to show them that it is possible to live with conscience without losing hope or becoming cynical. In this way, Atticus is able to admire Mrs. Dubose’s courage even while deploring her racism. Scout’s progress as a character in the novel is defined by her gradual development toward understanding Atticus’s lessons, culminating when, in the final chapters, Scout at last sees Boo Radley as a human being. Her newfound ability to view the world from his perspective ensures that she will not become jaded as she loses her...
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...Atticus is a gracious man who is always willing to view things through others’ perspectives. His sympathy is representative to the painting, The Defender. Atticus can be viewed as a “defender”, as he believes the best way to understand someone and the reason behind their action is to see things from their point of view. He admires people with respectable qualities, while understands and forgives those with unfit characteristics. Atticus teaches this moral lesson to Scout and Jem to help them become more compassionate towards people with whom they might disagree. When Scout complains about Miss Caroline actions in school, Atticus convinces her to consider the other person’s perspective. “First of all," he says, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee, 39). Atticus’ conversation with Scout reveals his sympathetic and tolerant nature. These qualities in Atticus are further illustrated through his defense of Tom Robinson, in addition to his forgiveness towards Bob Ewell. Atticus’ compassion is shown several times throughout the book and appears as a motif to emphasize his kind actions. In the painting, a mockingbird is standing on...
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...individuals, humankind still finds it difficult to trust based on the soul of a person; | |we are more comfortable making judgements based on skin colour.” | Prejudice, courage and unity… TEXT COMPARISON Are we always champions of tolerance, courage and receptiveness to others? By the very definition of humanity, we must be. Humanity: benevolence, understanding and kindness towards other people. It is, arguably, our very human nature to feel compassion, courage, understanding, unity and empathy towards our fellow man. Unfortunately, prejudice and judgement also cling to the human condition like tumorous stains – traits which society still finds hard to surmount. Despite the efforts of governments, groups and individuals, humankind still finds it difficult to trust based on the soul of a person; we are more comfortable making judgements based on skin colour. Nelle Harper Lee through her 1960 novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ and Boaz Yakin through his 2000 film, ‘Remember the Titans,’ are text composers who tackle the ill-defined paradigms of ‘prejudice, courage and unity’ by painting a picture of the confronting face of racism. Prejudice, courage and unity are notions that are dealt with differently by both composers and, through their use of structural and linguistic features, each composer presents this concept in a manner which connects (or weakens a connection)...
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...Lee, Harper—To Kill a Mockingbird 1960 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee DEDICATION for Mr. Lee and Alice in consideration of Love & Affection Lawyers, I suppose, were children once. Charles Lamb PART ONE 1 When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it healed, and Jem’s fears of never being able to play football were assuaged, he was seldom self-conscious about his injury. His left arm was somewhat shorter than his right; when he stood or walked, the back of his hand was at right angles to his body, his thumb parallel to his thigh. He couldn’t have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt. When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out. I said if he wanted to take a broad view of the thing, it really began with Andrew Jackson. If General Jackson hadn’t run the Creeks up the creek, Simon Finch would never have paddled up the Alabama, and where would we be if he hadn’t? We were far too old to settle an argument with a fist-fight, so we consulted Atticus. Our father said we were both right. Being Southerners, it was a source of shame to some members of the family that we had no recorded ancestors on either side of the Battle of Hastings...
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