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Malevolence Coexisting In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

814 Words4 Pages

Righteousness and Malevolence coexisting “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin To Kill a Mockingbird" illuminates a metaphor used within Harper Lee’s celebrated biographical novel. Atticus’s instruction regards the coexistence of good verse evil represented within Maycomb in To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel is a commentary on Alabama in the 1930’s and the journey of children grappling with the complexities of racism and prejudice. Lee intends to show audiences that part of developing a mature understanding of the world you live in includes realising that some people who appear good can have ‘evil’ characteristics, and at the same time some people with morally ‘evil’ characteristics can still have certain …show more content…

Initially Scout believes that the family, friends and neighbours she has in Maycomb are all good people, but the trial marks a turning point where she realises that they are also racist and morally questionable. Scout is confused as to why Atticus takes on the case when the town’s attitude is that he “shouldn’t”, and he explains that it’s the right thing to do. When she asks if he’ll win, he says “No” but that he is still going to try. This shows that Atticus is aware of the racist attitudes and history in Maycomb, and recognises that the evil nature of the prosecution will probably win. The outcome of the trial is correctly foreseen by Atticus, but comes as a shock to Scout and Jem, because they previously believed that good and truth and reason would always win. Atticus has to explain “they’ve done it before, they’ll do it again” which shows the kids that the truth is irrelevant to the jury and the people in Maycomb. At the same time, Atticus encourages them to keep their hope about Maycomb. He comments on Mr Cunningham “He didn’t do it because he’s a bad person, it was the mob’s frenzy that made him do it” which suggests to the audience that Atticus still believes in the goodness of people, even though he is very familiar with their evil side. - “In the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case” (another point of evidence if

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