Examples Of Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird

What have you learnt about the concept of integrity from your study of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and one related text of your own choosing?
Integrity means to be whole and undivided and to be honest and uphold your moral principles in what you do and say. The book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and the events of Tiananmen square show us this. In particular, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ helps us see the positive effects of a person’s integrity on society as well as the negative impacts of a person’s lack of integrity on the people around them. Furthermore, the appalling events at Tiananmen square help show us what the true meaning of integrity is and how people use this in their everyday lives.
In the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, there is clear evidence

When Atticus is talking to Scout about why he took on the Tom Robinson case, he says, “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions, said Atticus, but 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.” This quote is an example of some of the reflective tonality that is used in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ as it shows the deep and meaningful thinking that drives the actions of Atticus and results in a strong integral character. This quote is a perfect example of Atticus’ reaction to the thoughts and feelings of the town and how he refuses to change his opinion just because it is not the most popular. This not only shows integrity but also indirectly effects the town and society he lives in as it gives them a reason to change their minds. It can be very difficult to be the first person in a movement and people find it a lot easier to have a person to stand behind than be the person that stands in front. As well as this, when Miss Maudie is talking to

The negative impacts of a lack of integrity are woven through the storyline of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ with many different examples in every character of the story. In this society, when we think of inequality, we automatically go to the divide between whites and blacks. However, there were other social divides caused by immorality and sympathy that were in place even within these two distinct groups. For example, Atticus’ statement of, “when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains. I don’t know of any landowner around here who begrudges those children any game their father can hit,” sheds light on another huge problem of the poverty line in this society and the immorality of some adult figures. By using emotive language in this statement, it shows us the clearly immoral actions of Mr. Ewell and the direct effect this has on his children and by extent the society surrounding them. By using all his relief checks on buying whisky and getting drunk, Bob Ewell has destined his children to a life of sadness and struggle. This is immoral because the intention behind a relief check is to ensure that basic needs are met and not to be abused on alcohol. This not only directly effects Mr. Ewell’s children, but it indirectly effects the society as they are forced to bend