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Morality And Corruption In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the opposing themes of morality and corruption to convey a message about the coexistence of good and evil, the universal idea of humanity and human nature, and how the adult world is rife with uncomfortable truths. By highlighting the divisions between Atticus Finch, 'Boo' Radley, and the Ewell family, Lee allows us to clearly see the themes of corruption and morality, and the complexity and depth residing in both.
One of the most significant characters in the novel, Atticus Finch, embodies the moral voice and demonstrates the ethic of sympathy. He exhibits a strong intelligence and quiet thoughtfulness, and these traits shape his perception on various events and truths in the novel, …show more content…

When Scout is struggling to deal with the rumours about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, Atticus says, "You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down." His non-violent ideology when it comes to conflict, and the way he preaches it to his children, illustrates his superior morals, and deep understanding of right and wrong. Furthermore, us readers are again exposed to his strong morals when Jem is caught tearing up Mrs Dubose's camellias, and is in distress upon hearing her scorn Atticus for his choices, he replies by saying to Jem, "It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you. So don't let Mrs Dubose get you down. She had enough troubles of her own." Here, Atticus demonstrates a complex understanding of Mrs Dubose's struggles, and how her own troubles result in her acting and speaking in a cruel manner. His ability to situate himself in others' shoes, and see through their own eyes is a strong representation of his strong morals and values, and his good nature. Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a likeable character, who is a contrast to the majority of the other characters, to provide the readers with a basis for the moral

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In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper E. Lee, the story of protagonist Scout and her older brother Jem unfolds in the small but talkative town of Maycomb, Alabama, where they are raised by their insightful, loving father Atticus. Over the span of a short three years with their sidekick Dill, they spend their childhood days tormenting and daydreaming about town legend Boo Radley, causing shenanigans all over town and not wasting a moment of their care-free, young lives. However, the friends’ summer fun ceases when Scout and Jem especially are faced with traumatic and influential experiences like the renowned Tom Robinson case that send them quickly down the path into young adulthood. The corruption and people of Maycomb send Jem blindly spiraling

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The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a wonderful novel that contains an amazing character named Atticus Finch who treats everyone equally and breaks the social norms of racial separation in the 1930s. Scott Turow once promised to grow up and “try to do things as good and noble as what Atticus had done for Tom Robinson.” I agree with this statement because in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird I think Atticus had morals that were kind and compassionate, he never gave up, and he also stuck up for what he thought was right. To begin, throughout the novel Atticus Finch acts in ways that are kind and compassionate. Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children, find Atticus outside the jailhouse in the middle of the night while a crowd that wanted to hurt Tom Robinson was standing in front of him.

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In Jem and Scout's encounter with Mrs. Dubose, she said, “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one is in the courthouse lawing for n-words”, (Lee, 135)! This quote demonstrates that not only were young kids harassing Jem and Scout but even people as old as Mrs. Dubose had something to say to them when you think an older person would be more mature. This quote shows that even though Mrs. Dubose lives with an African American woman she thinks that Tom Robinson is guilty just because of his skin color and it shows how people really thought during that time period. At the end of Chapter 11 Atticus said “Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict,”(Lee,147). This quote shows how who once used to be a nice old lady got hooked on painkillers and let them take over her life which resembles innocence being destroyed by evil.

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“As you grow up, always tell the truth, do no harm to others, and don't think you are the most important being on earth. Rich or poor, you then can look anyone in the eye and say, 'I'm probably no better than you, but I'm certainly your equal,” said Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story of a Family in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Lee writes an informative, emotional story explaining life in the early 30’s during The Great Depression. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores concept of moral courage, and in Atticus, gives the model of a perfect human being, a Christ-like man of courage, integrity, and compassion.

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but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (149). Atticus saw the courage that Mrs. Dubose had because she kept fighting until her final breath. She was the kind of person who

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In the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird, author Harper Lee takes on the malignant impact of racism, a deeply rooted problem, from a different perspective and teaches readers what it truly means to be a good person as she brings to life one of the most virtuous characters in American literature-Atticus Finch. Told through the eyes of a young child, readers learn about the heavy prejudice embedded in the people of Maycomb County and the loss of innocence that is brought upon the kids as a racial conflict spurs a series of significant events in their quiet town. Taken place during the early years of the Great Depression, Maycomb must face its biggest problem-racism. Atticus Finch is the lawyer who defends this case and ultimately brings a

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Atticus Finch is in many ways the pivotal character of To Kill a Mockingbird. Although Scout narrates, Atticus is the person who drives the story forward, giving the story multidimensional color. On the most superficial dimension, Atticus defends a man falsely accused in the courtroom, and cares for the needs of his family after he dies in an escape attempt. At another dimension, he wins the respect of his children by doing so. Even deeper, we see that he also started to soften peoples’ hearts to the plight of the black people in the community, and won the admiration of the black community.

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Atticus remained nice, kind, and like a gentleman wherever, and whenever. Atticus also knew some of Mrs. Dubose 's circumstances that the kids didn 't know, and the reason she was always so snarky. Though the kids eventually learned, Atticus remained sure that he was always especially kind to the old woman living down the street. Atticus was also experienced in all circumstances of life, and especially life in Maycomb County.

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At the end of the day, a person’s character defines them. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch possesses the characteristics of a good father and citizen of Maycomb. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, the reader can clearly see that Atticus loves his children and wants to look out for their best interests. Atticus shows his character by the way he responds to his children, neighbors, and Tom Robinson’s court case. As the father of Jem and Scout, Atticus continuously displays humility, courtesy, and selflessness.

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Wisdom In The Flock of Mockingbirds In Harper Lee’s book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the idea that wisdom is demonstrated by going against the majority’s thoughts, and having one’s own sense of right and wrong. Social justice requires wisdom to have respect for people of all backgrounds. Harper Lee created the character of Atticus to present this idea of social justice in her book, and show the world what his thoughts were on issues. Atticus Finch represents social justice by the way he deals with racism, drug addiction, and violence.

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Atticus is always courteous to everyone, regardless of his or her social class. He holds the belief that a person should walk a mile in another's shoes before condemning the other person for certain behaviors. Atticus is kind to Mrs. Dubose despite her constant verbal attacks. Atticus explains Mrs. Dubose's behavior to Jem by saying that she is oid, ill, and in pain. Atticus is equally understanding of Mayella Ewell and her problems, explaining Mayella's behavior to his children by noting that Mayella did what she did in accusing Tom Robinson because of her hard life.

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983 Words | 4 Pages

Atticus does his best to educate his children about the importance of tolerance as he performs several acts of tolerance throughout the novel. Atticus shows tolerance for Mrs. Dubose in this example, “You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew” (Lee 149), as he tells his children how impressed and how much he thought of her, although she acted extremely rude and unpleasant to him and his family.

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Factors that influence our moral growth is based on what society thinks. Experiences that help us judge what’s right and wrong are our morals and based on what society thinks. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee a women named Mayella Ewell falsely accuses Tom Robinson of raping her. Throughout the story it shows how much society can impact what you believe in and racism. “The negros having waited for the white people to go upstairs, began to come in” P.g 218.

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You can’t hold her responsible for what she says and does,” Atticus states. This further lends to the fact that Atticus is kind and forgiving. By being civil towards Mrs. Dubose, even after she insulted him, he demonstrates the respectful and accepting part of his personality. “Of course, I’d rather she’d have said it to me than to either of you, but we can’t always have our ‘druthers,” Atticus says. Atticus portrayed his responsibility and protectiveness by saying that he would rather Mrs. Dubose had said the insults to him than to his

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Pride, bravery, honor, strength, and compassion are all important themes that are reflected throughout Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Each character in the book, at one time or another, act in way that show one of these five important themes. Having said that, the one character, in particular, that is the greatest example for showing those five themes is, Atticus Finch. Atticus took on the Tom Robinson trial with little support from the county of Maycomb, but in the end, proved not only to himself, the people of Maycomb, and most importantly his kids, that he did the right thing with pride, bravery, honor, strength, and compassion.

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