TKM Theme Essay Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird takes place during the Great Depression in the small town of Maycomb in Alabama. Scout and Jem live in what they think is a good community. From what they know, everyone fits into the community except Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor. They think this until the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American that is accused a raping a white women, takes place. The kids see something they have never noticed about their community before.
Pap’s virulently negative reaction to the African American professor is ironic because Pap is an abusive, alcoholic, ignorant thief who would definitely fall under the category of the scum or scourge of society and yet he finds the idea of this intelligent, responsible, African American professor voting repugnant, calling him a “prowling, thieving, infernal, white-shirted free nigger,” (27). Pap himself was “too drunk to get there [the polls]”(27) but now Pap “[he]’ll never vote ag’in”(27) which will most likely better the voting population. Pap’s feeling of superiority and juxtaposition of Pap and the African American professor shows the unfounded claims of racism throughout America, questioning the ethos of its perpetuators and their own
When examining “Crash” and “7 Seconds in the Bronx” we observe the injustice the injustice individuals face resulting in unforgivable offenses. When examining both stories it becomes apparent that between stereotypes, authoritative discrimination, and economic hierarchy, it is tough to be of a minority background. Stereotypes are an unfair representation that has been developed about a person or a race. In “Crash” we see the struggle of being a minority. We see this in the beginning of the story when Anthony and Peter, both young adults of colour, could see Jean clenched onto her husband and purse when passing them in the streets as she pre disclosed the assumption they
However, Cartwright uses both the original text and Hargrove’s essay to make his readers side with him. Even to me, it seemed that Bambara alludes to a socio-economic argument even within the African Americans within the story; whereas, after reading Cartwright’s composition I had a change of mind which is why I chose it for analysis. For example, both works have social, historical, and cultural connotations making them ideal reads for people of all backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities. Jerome Cartwright provides us with the specific additional lessons Miss Moore is teaching the children in Harlem; for instance, brotherhood, everyday experience, and most importantly initiative. Furthermore, he includes so many good examples explaining his take on the most important conflict in the story, the one between Silvia and Miss Moore, which satisfies the ethos
On a smaller scale, the community and everyday events of the Bronx also have a profound influence on the direction that Ezekiel’s life takes. After attempting to buy the necessary equipment to DJ, Zeke wants to get on a payment plan but is turned away because “for the last six months, boys who look like
Although the characters in the story are fictional, what kids growing up in Harlem and similar neighborhoods face is not. By making Harlem
These devices ensure the audience’s attention and understanding, rather than a lack of sympathy or interest. His devices also connect the audience to the issue and makes them understand the depth of misrepresentation. Staples in his own way is able to show how preconceived notions are cruel generalizations of large groups of people, and a constant plague to the african american
With the aid of analogy, the black audience can foresee bright prospects where plenty of commercial opportunities, as a result of racial harmony, are available. Proximity to real-life experience allows African Americans to understand their predicament more thoroughly. As soon as black people are informed of what should be done, they are more motivated to take actions, resorting
As Johnny goes through this difficult stage in life he decides to run away not thinking about where he’s going to stay or how he’s going to get food. He decides to join a gang of orphans with his best friend Billy in order to survive. This novel is still widely read today because it provides an inhuman image of brutal conditions African Americans faced in Harlem of 1940’s. In the Rite of Passage, the main character Johnny is hit with some really bad news that his family that he’s been living with throughout his entire life is not really his own.
Ben Franklin once wrote, “There was never a good war or a bad peace.¨ World War II provides evidence that Franklin's statement is true. (WWII book) After World War I, and during the time leading up to World War II, most Americans would agree with this statement regarding war and peace. On September 1, 1939 World War II began and the United States people felt differently about Franklin’s statement. The start of World War II increased tension and many Americans wanted to stay out of “Europe’s problems”(WWII book). At the time before World War II the United States was an isolationist country.
Literary Analysis Essay William Howard The short story that I chose for my literary analysis essay is “Brownies” By ZZ Packer. This fictional short story had a powerful meaning because it focused on how racial stereotyping can cause a lot of problems even among young girls who were attending a Girl Scouts camp. “Brownies” also showed how stereotyping can actually be harmful and can sometimes lead to hurtful consequences for the person who is the victim of it and for the person is guilty of stereotyping someone. I decided to do my analysis of this short story using the historical context element because of the long history of problems between the Black and White races in this country according to our history books, including
He gives an insight to the minds of multiple African Americans who live on the plantation as well as the minds of a few white residents, including those sympathetic to the situation, and those who were not. In one chapter, he has the character Lou Dimes think, “I turned from her to look at those old fools around me. I didn’t know who I felt the most pity for. I knew she hadn’t done it, and she would get out of it. But somebody had to pay for Beau’s lying there.”
(page 29). This shows that not only Scout got in trouble, but also she now understands that not all people like the same stuff or do the same things. To close, Jean-Louis was changed and matured in many ways. Scout changes her perspective of people, resulting in going up against racism and social injustice by the situations she was facing, such as the Tom Robinson’s trial, Cecil Jacobs and the use of the “N” word, and Walter Cunningham’s. Even though this book is old, racism and social injustice still occur today.
Reading Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird is crucial to the tenth grade English curriculum for the lessons it teaches students and the topics it brings forward for discussion that students must acknowledge and understand. The whole point of an education system is to provide students with the tools to become productive citizens. This idea fuels the curriculum for students as they begin with their primary education all the way until they conclude high school or even a higher level degree. It is crucial that the information taught to students includes social issues in societies of the past and the present, enabling them to be active members in discussions they may face in the future. To Kill a Mockingbird targets an issue that has stood
In the academy award winning film ‘Slumdog millionaire’ directed by Danny Boyle, Main character Jamal Malik played by Dev Patel faces many challenges living on the streets and in the slums of Mumbai, India. During the film, Jamal experiences the death of a loved one and extreme poverty adding to the challenges put upon him. Throughout the film ‘Slumdog millionaire’ Danny Boyle’s challenges help viewers to understand characters and manifest the theme “Brutality of Humanity”. The key challenge in the film that helps us understand the Theme of Beauty and Brutality of Humanity is overcoming poverty. Danny Boyle utilises film techniques such as Costuming, Camera shots and Dialogue to show the theme “Brutality of Humanity”.
