How Does Tim Johnson Use A Moral Code In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Acknowledging the difference between right and wrong behavior is defined from the word morality. Morality takes a role in knowing when something is right because of the significant outcome it may form or the rough outcome it may make. To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is a book written in 1961 based on the 1930s. It focuses on a racist town called Maycomb. Atticus, a father of Jem and Scout, represents a black man in court Tom Robinsion who is accused of rape. The trial brings many inconveniences and disagreements to the town. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses symbolism and figurative language to express a lesson that even though abiding by the law is important, abiding by a moral code is more important. To start …show more content…

In the novel, the symbolism of Tim Johnson, after he is shot by Atticus, represents the idea of following moral code instead of abiding with the law. The moment of Tim Johnson's death it mentions, “Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap. He didn’t know what hit him” (110). Tim Johnson exemplifies the low parts of society. Atticus is the type of man to believe in the rights of everyone and disagree with any forms of mistreatment. Atticus has to shoot Tim Johnson and ignore what Jem and Scout expect from him. He does it for Tim so his suffering can end in a peaceful method. In the same way, he does it for the town's safety even if it opposes the lawful thing to do. Later on in the novel, Scout mentions the mockingbird when confirming her understanding that they have to go against …show more content…

Early on, Lee exaggerates the amount of time the town's racism has played an effect to represent that Atticus knows what he is doing is right even if some others may not agree. Atticus voices to Scout, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (87). Lee uses a hyperbole to exaggerate the amount of years racism has been around in the town. It demonstrates how Atticus is feeling that even though society agrees with being racist, Atticus still has a moral obligation to help Tom. Atticus does not fall in line with the town's beliefs and he is not afraid to oppose them. He realizes he most likely will not win the trial, but he knows he has to try and give everyone a fair chance. Another piece of figurative language Lee uses is an idiom to hint at what Mr. Tate believes is the quality thing to do even with the risks it upholds. Mr. Tate tries to convince Atticus, “There’s a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it is dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead” (317). “Let the dead bury the dead” acts as an idiom. It is not clear enough to make sense alone, but together it captures something significant. It represents that no one should be charged for the death of Mr.