...Yesterday around 11pm at the Maycomb Courthouse, Tom Robinson who is accused of raping Bob Ewell’s 19 year old daughter Mayella, has been charged of rape. The court case took place yesterday in the Maycomb Courthouse in front of a large crowd of Maycomb citizens, both white and black, turning up to watch the trial. The crime took place on the evening of November 21st of last year, on the Ewell’s estate behind the Maycomb dumpster, where the Ewell family had lived for years. Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella Ewell, who survived on relief checks to make ends meet. Mayella Ewell had two or three years of education before leaving school to take care of her siblings as she is the oldest of all the Ewell children. Mayella serves as the mother figure at home as her mother passed away along time ago leaving the children in the care of their father, Bob Ewell. However, after the jury had listened to both sides of the story. Tom...
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...Throughout Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, family is used to set extreme examples of how families react during times of incredible hardship. In doing this, Harper Lee solidifies the important role that family has to play in the story of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird.’ By making each family represent a quality, whether it be positive or negative, Harper Lee creates a world with feels real to the reader, and hammers home all the points that she is trying to make. Specifically, Lee uses the Finch family, the Ewelle Family, and the Black Community, to emphasize the importance of family within the novel. In ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ the Finch family is used as a pillar for how to be an exemplary American in the town of Maycomb. The Finch family represents...
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...Most people are not able to achieve justice, simply because they lack the audacity to. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is a concept that is seldom sought after. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, a prejudiced society where African Americans are oppressed by its white civilians. The novel is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who is deprived of her innocence as she comes into contact with the racial injustice in her town. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who opposes the bigoted views of Maycomb. Atticus values the equality of every human being, including African-Americans, a group that is heavily despised by the majority of Maycomb. Throughout the novel, Finch repeatedly demonstrates justice by sticking to his moral beliefs. For...
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...The Reality of Corrupted Justice In the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, it states: “…We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice…” But some may question the legitimacy of this so-called “justice.” Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, addresses this topic of justice by showing the corruption of the United States’ court system. In the story, Lee uses the hypocrisy of humanity and characterization to establish that justice is only as corrupt as those who deal it. By creating characters who are hypocritical, Lee describes the injustice among the citizens of Maycomb and the U.S. court system. When the children in Scout’s class are discussing the persecution of Jews in Europe, Miss Gates explains, “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody” (208). But in this...
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...In Harper Lee’s rites-of-passage novel ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, the theme of prejudice and injustice is portrayed in many aspects of the narrative, and suggests that out-casts and misfits of society cannot escape the callous effects of discrimination in the conventional town of Maycomb. Through the protagonist’s eyes Jean Louise Finch also known as Scout, we are shown the harsh and insensitive circumstances the victimized in Maycomb. Lee also gives us insight of hope and optimism through individuals who persevere for justice and equality. In the novel, we see Arthur (Boo) Radley constantly victimized by the prejudice of Maycomb’s society. Boo Radley is not accepted nor does he fit into society and from his unusual ways he is wronged and deceived. Boo Radley isolates himself from the people of Maycomb. If Boo chooses to go outside, he will be unfairly viewed as a visitor from abroad because of his mysterious ways. He remains in his home all day and all night because he knows that his society will ridicule him. After being isolated for so many years ‘Arthur Radley was not seen for fifteen years’, Boo is developmentally challenged and has lost his basic social skills. Boo is the object of rumours and is viewed as the town’s erratic figure. The town blames and accuses Boo for any petty crime or unexplained phenomenon. Under the influence of the adults we also see the children speculate over Boo. They describe him as a ‘malevolent phantom’ ‘six-and-a-half feet tall’ with ‘bloodstained’...
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...Many “classic” books in our past have a certain attribute that makes a book cherished. The book To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee and published on July 11, 1960 is an example of a classic book because it questions the issues of race, family matters, and the struggles of good against evil. Throughout the course of the book, the reader becomes convinced by the narrator, Scout Finch that the main antagonist is Boo Radley, a character who lives in his own home. However, the real villain is Bob Ewell, who uses his own daughter to frame and eventually kill Tom Robinson. Bob Ewell, in the beginning, uses Tom Robinson as a slave to do labor and take care of his home. As time moves on, he decides to use his daughter Mayella Ewell, to allegedly...
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...In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is demonstrated throughout Atticus’ actions. His strive for equality can be represented by the scales of justice. Atticus believes that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of race, socio-economic or familial background. Having such an honorable and just character, propels Atticus to defend the wronged individual, Tom Robinson. Atticus believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime accused against him and he believes Robinson should not receive the death penalty. Atticus knows Tom might lose this case due to the racial attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the community. When an African-American is accused of a crime, the person is undoubtedly presumed guilty. Atticus still persists in...
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...Let us not pretend that Bob Ewell and the majority of the Maycomb community are the last racists in the United States of America. They have company. As president of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), my sensibilities are not delicate. I grew up in South Carolina as the civil war reached its climax, a place and time where racism was unambiguous and often violent. I would be the last person to deny that we have made remarkable progress against racial prejudice. However, with Tom Robinson’s recent trial, it is obvious that we still have a long way to go. The trial of Tom Robinson exemplified the entrenched prejudice that many, not only in Maycomb but also in the United States, hold against the Negroes in...
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...immersed in racism than it is today. Justice rivals fairness in To Kill A Mockingbird because of deep rooted prejudice in the novel’s society. Prejudice is evident throughout the novel, one specific example would be that Tom Robinson is not given the benefit of the doubt when he dies. This...
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...To Kill A Mocking Bird BY HARPER LEE Novel Analysis I.BACKGROUND IN FORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nelle Harper Lee (born April 28, 1926) is an American author known for her 1960 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which deals with the issues of racism that were observed by the author as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. Despite being Lee's only published book, it led to Lee being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her contribution to literature in 2007.Lee has also been the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, but has always declined to make a speech. Other significant contributions of Lee include assisting her close friend, 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...
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...Atticus is an outstanding father, with his strong listening and guiding techniques, he molds Jem and Scout into better human beings. He treats his children with respect and didn't shield them too much from the brutal reality of society. Since he has such an understanding outlook and fair way of life, he never tried to force them to do anything but instead coaxed them very calmly. Therefore, Atticus is an understanding father is that the children come to him for advice. For instance, when Scout angrily rants about her school and teacher or during the time period of the trial and Jem shows Atticus his emotions towards the justice system; he is more interested in talking to them and getting to the bottom of the problem than he is in punishing...
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...two children in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus works as a lawyer believing in equal justice for all Americans regardless of race or religion. Bob Ewell is also a single father raising eight children who also lives in Maycomb. Bob is unemployed collecting welfare who believes in racial segregation. He believes in different modes of justice for blacks and whites. Atticus is very compassionate while talking to his thirteen-year-old son Jem. Atticus was explaining to him that he would do anything just for Bob to stop beating his kids. As he said, "So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there."(Pg. 221) In addition Atticus explains to Jem that he had to do what he had to do because he destroyed Bob's last shred of credibility, whereas Bob is a coward who doesn't deal with the matter but makes things worse. Bob proves himself to be very cowardly. He doesn't think before making his actions. As a result of this he tried to kill Atticus' children, Jem and Scout. As they were walking home from the Halloween pageant, Bob came out and tried to kill them. Bob got what he deserved when Boo Radley, a neighbor who hides his identity, came out and saved the children, killing Bob. Atticus and Sheriff Tate, the officer of Maycomb, proved to be fair and told Maycomb that Bob fell on his knife to help...
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...English Why does Jem say to Miss Maudie, “I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like.” The outcome of the trial had a great affect on Jem. This is because his point of view on Maycomb completely switched after the jury gave their verdict, he realized that the town of Maycomb wasn’t as great as it appeared. When he saw his dad working as hard as he could to prove that Tom Robinson was innocent and there was clear evidence he was, they still put Tom in jail. The outcome of the court case made Jem realize no matter what happens in Maycomb, if you’re not white justice won’t be served. Jem’s quote represented his innocence as a child in the Maycomb community. He thought all the people in Maycomb were good and kind people until a key moment when the mob went to kill Tom at the courthouse, this soon brought to light what the reality is of the Maycomb people. Jem’s point of view on the community is now that they are no good and cruel to the blacks and treat them as if they had no rights, although Jem is still young and has a lot to learn but from his experience from the trial he picked up a greater knowledge by sitting in the colored section he basically had their point of view on life. They were invisible to the white people the floor below them and didn’t have that many seats which puts things into perspective about what life for the Robinson family and Tom has been and what it will be for...
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...change, injustice because of discrimination could not continue. The beliefs the south had were unfair because they were based off of racism. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Martin Luther King Jr.). People need to stand up for others because without an adversary, change will not occur. It is the power of one to realize the fault and start a new breed that believe what they think is right and are raised with respect to everyone. In To Kill a Mockingbird a distinguished novel by Harper Lee; the color of skin and beliefs that a person obtain determines how they are treated and valued as a member of the community in Maycomb, Alabama during The Great Depression. In this case, the color of a person's skin determines their level in society and how they are looked upon by the more powerful class. Calpurnia, the Finch's cook, is caring for the children and...
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...two children in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus works as a lawyer believing in equal justice for all Americans regardless of race or religion. Bob Ewell is also a single father raising eight children who also lives in Maycomb. Bob is unemployed collecting welfare who believes in racial segregation. He believes in different modes of justice for blacks and whites. Atticus is very compassionate while talking to his thirteen-year-old son Jem. Atticus was explaining to him that he would do anything just for Bob to stop beating his kids. As he said, "So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there."(Pg. 221) In addition Atticus explains to Jem that he had to do what he had to do because he destroyed Bob's last shred of credibility, whereas Bob is a coward who doesn't deal with the matter but makes things worse. Bob proves himself to be very cowardly. He doesn't think before making his actions. As a result of this he tried to kill Atticus' children, Jem and Scout. As they were walking home from the Halloween pageant, Bob came out and tried to kill them. Bob got what he deserved when Boo Radley, a neighbor who hides his identity, came out and saved the children, killing Bob. Atticus and Sheriff Tate, the officer of Maycomb, proved to be fair and told Maycomb that Bob fell on his knife to help...
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