... to kill a Mocking Bird" The mockingbird represents innocence. Like hunters who kill mockingbirds for sport, people kill innocence, or other people who are innocent, without thinking about what they are doing. Atticus stands firm in his defense of innocence and urges his children not to shoot mockingbirds both literally ... man. Although he is black. And as a consequence was unfairly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Even though it was painfully evident that Tom was innocent, he was proclaimed guilty and was later murdered. Tom Robinson is a perfect example of a mockingbird. All he was t...

• Word Count: 1255
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew. (Lee 112) Mrs. Dubose's actions help shift the children's views from a definition of courage that is purely physical to one that includes ... mockingbird is a symbol of innocence. Atticus is explaining to Jem and Scout not to harm creatures when they have done nothing wrong to them. Harming innocent people is a mistake because they have not hurt anything. They learn to act responsibly with the guns by not making pure ...

• Word Count: 1536
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... sin to kill a mockingbird", sin being something that is morally wrong, meaning that although it isn't against the law or illegal to persecute an innocent, it is still immoral. Morality means essentially the goodness or badness of people based on their values and attitudes towards things. Your attitudes are what you ... Tom Robinson's verdict. Boo Radley is the other key mockingbird of the novel. Arthur "Boo" Radley is an isolated person who never sets foot outside his house. He is a shy person due to the abuse he gets from his "foot-washing" father Mr. Arthur, a strict man who bases his...

• Word Count: 1371
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... stigma, and social barrier that took place. The story is told through the eyes of a young, adventurous girl, Scout, giving the novel an innocent and uncorrupted perspective of the society. Due to the abundance of prejudice in Maycomb County, many people were judged without getting known and, therefore, were ... they don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy" (Lee 119). Mockingbirds later become the symbol of victims of prejudice and innocent people who are outcasted and ridiculed due to the flaws of society. Some examples of mockingbirds throughout the book include Atticus Finch,...

• Word Count: 1674
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography

... he speaks to Jem and Scout about his admiration for her courage in resisting morphine addiction. Atticus once tells Scout that "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view". During the night when Atticus visited Tom Robinson in the jail and the mob men came to take ... raping Mayella. Even though Atticus knew that they had a poor chance of winning the case, Atticus is still persistent to prove that Tom Robinson is innocent even though it was hard for them. After losing Tom Robinson's case, Atticus still believed in justice and equality in Maycom...

• Word Count: 1521
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... against a black man's, the final verdict pronounced Tom Robinson guilty of the rape and abuse of Mayella Ewell. It mattered not that he was innocent, but that he was black, which automatically decided his guilt. Tom was made to be locked up while the man who had truly committed the ... attack resulted in his own death, but two more innocent people's lives had been put at risk because of such a horrible, cruel person and his actions. However insignificant one individual person may seem, it's frightening to think about how much harm one small person can cause. Four characters lives were e...

• Word Count: 1706
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... his bond, judge was glad to do so." Subsequential to this, Mr. Radley locked Boo inside their house for years, not speaking to a single person outside of his home. Although this is an extreme way of showing how Mr. Radley cares about Boo, he is still demonstrating that he does not want ... would believe that holding Boo at home would be the best way to show his care. The last character to compare with Boo is Dill. Dill is another innocent character that enjoys his childlike adventures and imagination, but yet he is a neglected child. He mentions, "They just wasn't interested in me" (161 ...

• Word Count: 1638
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... ghosts and stories they have been told whilst growing up feed their fears of Boo When the children mature and realise that Boo is a real person, capable of suffering like everyone else, the prejudice dies. Other people who are targeted are: wwag agw esagags ayag agba nag kcag aguk. - ... and by doing this make them appreciate similar characters in their own communities, especially those you know little about. It is a sin' to harm an innocent (mockingbird). Harper Lee does not suggest a quick solution to prejudice, which is why it is such a realistic book. Symbolism - Mockingbird is the m...

• Word Count: 1462
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... an adult recollects her childhood memories. Scout's dominating nave voice analyzes the situations she was confronted as a child. During her transition of her innocent unbiased perspective to her mature grown-up attitude, the readers explore the racism, human suffering and triumph of goodness over evil through her discoveries. ... hold up my head in town, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again."" So he continued his motivation in proving Robinson innocent. However, his action led the Finches to be caught in "Maycomb's usual disease- evoking the town in hostility treatmen...

• Word Count: 1363
• Approx Pages: 5

... of the facts. Even Atticus' family sees the situation this way, which explains Scout's fight with her cousin. Harper Lee's choice of first person narrative through Scout makes for some minor complications when reading. Because Scout is such a young girl, she does not fully comprehend the meaning of many ... very powerful and lyrical, but also requires closer examination. Whenever dealing with first person a reader must realize the filters the narrator has as a character that affect the picture presented. Explanation of Chapters 15 - 21 ("Part 3") Again, Scout's innocent perspective makes...

• Word Count: 1364
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Even the most despicable of characters can be worthy of sympathy. Sympathy is defined as the feeling of pity for a person. One can only receive sympathy if they have been plagued with despair and misfortune. In a novel such as To Kill a Mockingbird, it ... seduce Tom can be justified because all she wants is attention. She has been neglected her whole life by her father and wants to feel loved. Every person is entitled to feel loved. Moreover, Mayella has inadvertently been robbed of her childhood and future. Mayella has been born into poverty, having no friends and living ... Tom is black....

• Word Count: 1484
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Maycomb actively practices segregation, consequently exhibiting racism against blacks. The book follows the story of a mean and ignorant white man who falsely accuses an innocent black man of raping his daughter, purely to uphold his own family's values in the community as racists. The laws and culture of the Jim ... " 'before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience' "(120) Atticus is saying that one has to judge oneself before anyone else. If he did something he knew was wrong, and didn't ...

• Word Count: 1682
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... of better things go on in the book, major differences happened because of him, and he doesn't care what others think, as long as he's helping the person in need, very professional. Atticus is motivated to help others from his children, and just common sense, during the story he changes a lot. From being quite ... or anything of that sort, she won't be afraid to throw a few punches. I"d say the audience is supposed to like her character because she's very innocent and just wants the better situation with people, everyone to be equal and get along, plus she's a feisty one. Scout is motivat...

• Word Count: 1363
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... talks about the tragedy with Hitler and the Jews, while having her own hatred towards blacks. At the beginning of the novel, Scout is an innocent, child who has had no experience with evil in the world. As the novel continues, Scout has her first contact with evil through racial prejudice. ... poverty. Because of his intelligence, wisdom, and responsible behavior, everyone, including the very poor, respects Atticus. He functions as the moral backbone of Maycomb, a person that others feel they can turn to in times of doubt and trouble. Atticus is also a very consistent man, as well as the...

• Word Count: 1317
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... Tom is isolated in the justice system as with his skin colour also comes the stereotype of being a criminal. So no matter what the evidence, a white person's word against a "darkys" would be accepted. So Tom is isolated in that courtroom; he is helpless because he could not break the generations of discrimination ... the detrimental racial state. In addition, we are told that there were "17 bullet holes in him". This is sickening; such a brutal act to an innocent man, using him for sport, makes you imagine how it could have been and the bestial aggression of the guards. Like Tom, Rhoda is...

• Word Count: 2388
• Approx Pages: 10

... arrival of the Mudstones. Beatings, animosity and manipulation were shown to David by them who appear as if made of metal to the reader. A person who could beat a small child so badly could most definitely not be a person of good values and happiness. The novels opening shows how Clara, his mother and Peggotty, cherishes him dearly. I believe that the stark contrast to ... degree for Scout than David but both novels deal with highly moralistic issues such as the fair and just treatment of those who do not have power, those who are innocent, and those who are oppressed. It is my belief t...

• Word Count: 1997
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... victims of oppression in general, and the African-American community more specifically. The unjust trial of Tom Robinson, in which the jury's racial prejudice condemns an innocent man, is symbolically characterized as the shooting of an innocent mockingbird. Toward the end of the novel, Scout realizes that submitting Boo to a trial would be akin to shooting a mockingbird-just as the prejudice against ... overbearing and tainted alien culture, Atticus is a model of integrity." Althouse concluded, "Atticus Finch is an example: a man who has found a way to live and work as a good person in...

• Word Count: 2287
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... behaviors and what others may think of them. To Kill a Mockingbird only benefits the teen mind because of its strong messages. Atticus Finch says that '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) and he could not be more correct. Atticus ... by Tom Robinson, a black man who gains no support since the time period is the 1930's. Tom never lives to see the end of his trial. Although he is truly innocent, he is still proven guilty. Although critics may argue that the book sets bad ...

• Word Count: 1863
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... an unfair advantage over other creatures. The most obvious example of Atticus Finch's principles is his firmness that his client, Tom Robinson be treated as any white person in his situation would be, and that he receives a fair trial. He knows that the Ewells -those who accuse Tom- are relying on their word being ... and that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our woman, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber? Atticus believes Tom is innocent of the dreadful crime of which he is accused and is unbiased by the fact that he is black. All of the above prove withou...

• Word Count: 1341
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... both trials took place was one of hatred and ignorance. The idea that all white people were better than all blacks was a major part of both of these trials. A white person's word was held to be the truth when it was challenged by someone whom was black. Both trials were perfect examples of how the people of Alabama were above the ... in their past. In Tom Robinson's case Mayella Ewell was constantly beaten by her father and she was raped, Tom Robinson even said that she kissed him. To kiss a black person in those times was preposterous and to accuse him of rape was a perfect cover to al...

• Word Count: 1415
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you doShe was the bravest person I ever knew" (pg. 149). Evidently, Atticus shows a pristine ability in staying true to his morals, which stems from his ability to be strong in the face of adversity, unkindness ... 's final speech near the end of the trial. He appealed to the judge, jury and audience by presenting his defense on how Tom was wrongly accused and why he is innocent. Atticus brought to light the paramount need for equality in the courtroom and how...

• Word Count: 2284
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... , Mr Cunningham' she says singling him out from the group. Mr Cunningham realises this and is put in the spotlight and can't hide behind anyone. He also realises that an innocent little girl has caught him in action. This puts pressure on Mr Cunningham and makes in take in to account for his actions. This is an effective way to combat ... racism. The ladies of Maycomb also show prejudice towards individuals. Mrs Merriweather for instance never questions her actions, or what she says. For example, Mrs Merriweather insults Atticus as a misguided person. When she says 'I tell you there are ...

• Word Count: 1688
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... , Mr Cunningham' she says singling him out from the group. Mr Cunningham realises this and is put in the spotlight and can't hide behind anyone. He also realises that an innocent little girl has caught him in action. This puts pressure on Mr Cunningham and makes in take in to account for his actions. This is an effective way to combat ... racism. The ladies of Maycomb also show prejudice towards individuals. Mrs Merriweather for instance never questions her actions, or what she says. For example, Mrs Merriweather insults Atticus as a misguided person. When she says 'I tell you there are ...

• Word Count: 1707
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School