ipl-logo

Family Values In Southern Gothic Literature

524 Words3 Pages

Southern gothic literature is a method of writing that deals with problems in society that can be influenced by family values or disturbing lives. In the three texts To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Flannery O’Connor, and The Flowers by Alice Walker they are revolved around southern gothic literature. In these texts there is a strong emphasis on familial values in the southern gothic literature because all the problems faced in the texts are caused by family values. All three of these texts are based in the south where there is many different views on cultures and race which southern gothic literature strives on. In To Kill a Mockingbird there is several examples of how family values impact the story and the way characters develop. One of the main family values in the story is how the Finches view race; since they live in Alabama during the 1940s there is a lot of racism and the father is defending an african american in a rape case where many people believe that he should automatically be hung. An example of different values is “My folks said your daddy is a disgrace an’ that nigger should hang” …show more content…

These examples show different believes that these characters have based on family values. These family values affect the outcome of the story because the characters do what they believe in which causes different events to happen. There are also different family values in the text The Flowers where Myop the main character is taught to be innocent to the different events in the world. This changes the outcome of the story because when she finds a dead man she loses her innocence and changes her view on life. This shows how family values can make or break a family based on events that happen in the

Show More
Related

What Are The Similarities Between Jasper Jones And To Kill A Mockingbird

1331 Words | 6 Pages

To What Extent Are Life Values and Lessons Reflected Throughout The Novel To Kill A Mockingbird and Jasper Jones. By Eloise Cotter (9 English 1) Powerful morals and truths are revealed throughout the novels To Kill A Mockingbird and Jasper Jones. These texts focus upon a series of relevant themes including prejudice and growing up. Both these novels present these themes through the eyes of the protagonists and their childlike innocence as extraordinary sequences of events change their lives and views forever. With both authors’ use of various literary techniques, the audience is truly capable of understanding the themes of prejudice and growth and recognising the various life lessons that are taught throughout.

Read More

Examples Of Atticus Finch Family In To Kill A Mockingbird

1123 Words | 5 Pages

To kill a mockingbird is a well-known novel written by the talented author Harper Lee. The novel is about a lawyer, Atticus Finch, and how he defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. The novel explores the issues of family, prejudice, courage and justice. The issues of family and prejudice and how they have been represented will be discussed in this essay. Maycomb’s close-knit community consists of many families with different values and structure.

Read More

Father Influence In To Kill A Mockingbird

916 Words | 4 Pages

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This saying is true in many cases and happens to be true in To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book you see children of characters start to grow up and act like their father. This essay will be looking at three families in To Kill A Mockingbird, the Finches, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. These three families are key examples that a father’s influence has a significant influence on the character of his children.

Read More

Examples Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

860 Words | 4 Pages

The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” was written in 1960 by Harper Lee in the point of view of a young innocent girl named Scout. One of the main messages that Lee has (need a new word than – indicated or set out) is racism, it plays an important role which strongly impacts many character’s lives unfairly and changes the relationship between two. Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” shows that it is wrong to hurt someone who does no harm to you, for example, black people are innocent but no way did they have as many rights as white people did. Black people lived hard lives because society was judgemental, irrational and most importantly, racist. As Scout and Jem grow older they learn to cope, take responsibility and are introduced to new aspects of life, one of which is racism.

Read More

Why Is Scout Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

865 Words | 4 Pages

Scout shows these values in To Kill a Mockingbird, and provides a unique way of looking at people differently. This was probably Harper Lee’s doing, Scout is used by Lee to illustrate many ideals. Such ideals include courteousness when she defends Atticus to stand up for what she believes in, and how Scout can step into someone else’s shoes to see their point of view. By putting these ideals in a kid’s perspective, Lee is able to convey these ideas with more ease because people can follow along with Scout and remember the importance of these ideals as she is learning them for the first time. Many people can forget these basic values, and Lee emphasizes through her characters and novel that they are important and reminds people that even the simplest of values can make the biggest

Read More

Prejudice Norms In To Kill A Mockingbird

1253 Words | 6 Pages

A behavior, of which, presents itself heavily while either talking, and or mentioning, the topics of religions, racism and classism. Given the time period is during the 1930’s, and that Maycomb County is located in the deep south, it is no wonder of why prejudice appears as a cultural norm. The Great Depression was going on at the time, and so, everyone is taking the chance in trying to look better off, in the terms of finance and living standards. In looking at the main family of the book, the Finches, they are part of the high standing class. And, as according to Aunt Alexandra, they, as a family, are above everyone.

Read More

Ethical Dilemmas In To Kill A Mockingbird

1399 Words | 6 Pages

As the book goes on and the characters change, ethical dilemmas about fear, and racism are seen. Additionally, what the book has to say about moral values and how things are done is mentioned in this essay. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee depicts the crude reality of Ethical Dilemmas in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1950s. One of the first Ethical Dilemmas presented in the book is what are the morals of the people in Maycomb. It is clear that Maycomb has differences in how people act, but that is different on what their moral values are.

Read More

Gender Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

779 Words | 4 Pages

Life is overfilled with messages, like weeds in a sea in unmaintained grass. Whether it’s warning a person, or pointing out a flaw; these little lessons are there to further grow the positive parts of that person’s personality. A simple demonstration of this is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An old, children’s book serving no meaningingful purpose is what it may seem, nevertheless, it actually is a novel that offers a unique outtake on all aspects of human life. In the book, two children Jem and Scout, who learn about equality, racism, and social class through court cases, tea parties and more.

Read More

The Importance Of Morals In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

1593 Words | 7 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee about racism and justice during the Great Depression. In Maycomb County, most people still aren’t over the confederate days, but Atticus Finch, a very ethical lawyer, and his family have to undergo a case over a black man. The thematic statement found in this book is,”A person’s surroundings will affects their choices and disregard morals.” This tells how the people in this book disregard some base morals and make choices. In To Kill a MockingBird there are examples of people disregarding their morals in mob mentality and letting society influence them, but keeping to a strict line they wouldn’t cross like Atticus defending Tom.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Theme And Character Interaction Essay

899 Words | 4 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird has many themes that run throughout it. The main them is that everyone should always stand up for what they believe in. This is mostly personified by Atticus Finch, a lawyer that lives in Maycomb County, Alabama. In the story,

Read More

Southern Gothic Literature In Faulkner's A Rose For Emily

824 Words | 4 Pages

Faulkner is one of the most celebrated writers in American literature usually and southern literature specifically. His first published Story “A rose for Emily”, is one of the most famous that an American has written. Faulkner captured Southern Gothic in this short story by giving the story a moody and forbidding atmosphere. “A Rose for Emily” depicts southern gothic literature through the characters, the setting, and the mysteries and secrets.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Theme Essay

715 Words | 3 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird has many of underlying themes such as racism, courage, respect, femininity, etc. But the theme that fits this book most appropriately is innocence and the harm caused to the innocent by evil and bigotry. Examples of this include Jem, Dill, Tom Robinson, Boo Radley. While all these characters have completely different personalities and circumstances they all have one thing in common. All of them were innocent at one point and were harmed by the evil of

Read More

Theme Of Community In To Kill A Mockingbird

1580 Words | 7 Pages

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the segregated South of the 1930’s. The book is told in the eyes of an eight year old girl, Scout Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch, is an attorney who is struggling to prove the innocence of a black man incorrectly accused of rape. The historical context of the book lets one see the social status of different groups during the civil rights era. The story explores who fits into certain societies, who is respected in the community, written and unwritten rules concerning family, gender, age, and race, expectations of certain people, and what conflicts arise out of tension.

Read More

Examples Of Social Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

740 Words | 3 Pages

Racism, family background, and wealth are the three main forms of social inequality that appear multiple times in To Kill a Mockingbird. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee proves that the Negroes are not respected at all simply because of their skin color. They are so disrespected and looked down on to the point they have their own little community out of the town away from the white people. Although, the colored are racists towards the white people in Maycomb.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Cultural Analysis

1395 Words | 6 Pages

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee presents a large social atmosphere that includes many different cultures and extremes. The story takes place in the southern town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. This novel illustrates how the southerners perceived different ideas about each other and social norms. It is told through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch, as she is growing up and becoming influenced by societal attitudes. Throughout the course of this book Scout learns many lessons including: how a society functions, why there is conflict between different cultures, and what makes cultures different from each other.

Read More

More about Family Values In Southern Gothic Literature

Related Topics

Open Document