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Theme Of Law And Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The theme of law and justice is one of the most significant themes in To Kill A Mockingbird, as the setting of the novel is heavily segregated, which highlights the importance of order and equality. It starkly contrasts with the theme of racial segregation and social ranks, therefore bringing about the concepts of good and evil in Maycomb society. Although law and order is present throughout the novel, it is presented as the weaker force when compared to segregation and chaos. This is shown when Scout describes Tom, “If he had been whole, he would have been a fine specimen of a man”, the word “whole” meaning disabled literally. However, there is this symbolic meaning of “whole” describing Tom’s skin colour, making him not whole as a person. …show more content…

In part one, Scout has seen Jem’s snowman and comments on it, stating “Jem, I ain’t heard of a nigger snowman.” As snowmen are usually white, the word “nigger” contradicts the common appearance, indicating that she has been heavily influenced by the environment, thinking that it is normal to say this as it is heard many times. Later on in the novel, Dill, having heard the racist speech delivered by Mr Gilmer, had to leave. He “seemed to be all right that day, nothing wrong with him, but I guessed he hadn’t fully recovered from running away.” It becomes evident that the court has opened up old wounds once again, also signifying that the fate of Tom Robinson is sealed, since the court is served by an all-white jury and are heavily prejudiced. “Running away” could connote to the cowardice the jury exhibits in declaring Tom as guilty even though substantial evidence shows that he is …show more content…

Tom is saved from a lynch because Atticus, an embodiment of law and justice, successfully prevents the mob in achieving what they wanted. When the commotion ended, “A soft husky voice came from the darkness above: “They gone?”” “Soft” and “husky” suggests that Tom is afraid and nervous as he knew it would end unpleasantly without Atticus’s help. Despite this, he still maintains his politeness and addresses Atticus as “Mr Finch”, which is a very well-mannered way of addressing people. This suggests that he is grateful and appreciative of Atticus’s help, implying that law is not always easily defeated even when the society isn’t

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Harper Lee includes many Jim Crow laws in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Jim Crow laws were racial segregation laws that blacks were expected to follow and respect. A few examples of Jim Crow laws blacks and whites were not suppose to eat together, blacks were not allowed to display public affection toward one another. If a black person was riding in a car driven by a white man he would have to sit in the back of the vehicle (Pilgrim). Harper Lee incorporates many Jim crow laws inside of To Kill a Mockingbird.

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In this stage of the hero’s journey, Scout begins her journey and crosses over to a strange new world. This new world is not a physical state but rather Scout ’s state of mind after viewing the trial of Tom Robinson. For instance, Scout reflects, “Tom Robinson was probably the only person who was ever decent to her. But she said he took advantage of her and when she looked at him in court, she looked down upon him like he was dirt beneath her feet.”

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In Maycomb County, the Negroes are viewed as inferior, and in addition, the Jim Crow laws are enforced to ensure segregation. As a result, they do not have equal rights as the other citizens. When Atticus is asked to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro man accused of raping a white girl, he accepts. To the community this was improper. The community’s disgust at Atticus’ decision is expressed when Scout is irked by Cecil Jacobs, a boy in her class, when he announces that, “Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers.”

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957 Words | 4 Pages

Despite race discrimination around the world, there are still people who overcome and persevere through these challenges - often at great risk to themselves. During the 1930s, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a small town called Maycomb held a trial against an innocent African American man accused of raping a Caucasian woman. The reader experiences life in Maycomb through the eyes of ten year old girl name Jean-Louise Finch, Scout. In this case, Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, was assigned to be the lawyer for the accused, Tom Robinson. However, Atticus has integrity and tries his best for Tom even if his own life is at risk.

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Isaiah 59:8 illustrates, "The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. " Clearly, Scripture recognizes the existence of flaws of the behavior in man. Injustice comes in many forms. Racism, prejudice, false judgment, and stereotyping are all skewed perceptions. These distortions spill over into behaviors and human interactions, often resulting in the suffering of the innocent.

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In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee believes that white privilege can overrule any evidence in the courtroom. Harper Lee uses distinctive word choices and tone to demonstrate courtroom prejudice. In this scene, a white woman named Mayella is accusing a black man named Tom Robinson of

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1232 Words | 5 Pages

In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout and Jem Finch discover that personal prejudice can influence justice, or the lack thereof. Growing up with Atticus in Maycomb is a contradiction in itself. Atticus encourages equality and raises his kids to be moral beings. However, the rest of Maycomb is very biased and racist. On page 296 Atticus tells Scout and Jem, “‘With people like us- that’s our share of the bill.

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Atticus was an extremely good lawyer, but it was just the people who made it hard for Tom to actually win this case because some people there are so ignorant. It is difficult to understand the evil in the world because people can’t see it. It’s a disease that eventually anyone can catch. In the book, it was hard for them to believe the evil in the world because everyone in their neighborhood seemed like a really nice person, but they were just so mean, and racist to Tom. They had a sickness that almost spread around,

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The justice system has always been the heart of America. But like this country, it has many faults. Prejudice has played a major role in the shaping of this system. In the 1930’s the way a courtroom was set up was completely different from how it looks to day. In the book To Kill A MockingBird, Harper Lee shows just how different it is.

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Tom Robinson is a black man who is wrongfully convicted of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell. This novel goes through Scout's life from when she was 6, till she is 9. She lives in the town of Maycomb Alabama, and lives an innocent life until about halfway through the story, where she begins to ask questions. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout shows the readers that racial inequality creates an unjust society through the African American community, through the people surrounding colored folks, and through Tom Robinson’s Case. The first example of the consequences of racial inequality is the African American community in Maycomb.

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As can be seen, Lee’s usage of Tom Robinson’s trial and the racial discrimination and prejudice seen throughout it helps reinforce the theme of social injustice throughout To Kill A Mockingbird. Another encounter that the

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Essentially, the root of all problems stems from prejudiced situations, social inequality is created by religious, ethnic and many other forms of discrimination. Social inequality is defined as ‘the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society’. In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, specifically, it is created by racism, classism and gender. Inequality factors into the course of the story in very evident ways ultimately causing extreme injustice. Harper Lee’s masterful novel exposes the dark underbelly of society, a society overflowing with hate, narrow mindedness and prejudice.

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592 Words | 3 Pages

Of the numerous themes from Harper Lee’s famous novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, one stands out, injustice. This subject appears multiple times throughout the book. Firstly, Mr. Ewell demonstrates injustice towards the Finch family by insulting them and harming them. Again injustice shows itself in Tom Robinson’s false accusation. Lastly, this horrible topic becomes apparent in Aunt Alexandra’s actions towards Calpurnia.

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4088 Words | 17 Pages

The clear main themes in the novel are both gender equality and racial segregation, which Lee presents through the storyline and the prejudiced characters. Tom Robinson 's lawsuit and its conclusion show that justice was primarily based on the white society 's perception of the law. The jury consists only of white men, who are all prejudiced towards the African-American people. “ ' 'The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury

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1386 Words | 6 Pages

Rajan Dosanjh Mrs. Haber ENG 1D0A January 18, 2017 To Kill A Mockingbird Theme Essay Discrimination is a societal issue which has been prevalent for a long time and still brings people down in today’s society. Discrimination can be defined by the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex (www.dictionary.com) Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird is based in a small town in Alabama called Maycomb where a man named Atticus Finch is appointed to defend a man named Tom Robinson who was accused of raping a teenage girl.

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