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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

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To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, prejudice, and justice through the eyes of two young siblings, Jem and Scout Finch. Throughout the novel, both Jem and Scout experience significant growth and maturation, both in their understanding of the world and in their personal beliefs and values. At the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout are naive and innocent, unaware of the injustices and prejudices that exist in their small town of Maycomb, Alabama. They are raised by their father, Atticus, who instills in them a strong sense of justice and fairness. However, as they grow older and begin to witness the events unfolding around them, they begin to question their own beliefs and values. One of the most significant events that leads to Jem and Scout's growth is the trial of Tom Robinson. At the trial, they witness firsthand the injustice and racism that exists in their town. Despite Atticus's best efforts to defend Tom, he is ultimately found guilty. This event has a profound impact on Jem and Scout, as it forces them to confront the harsh realities of the world they live in. Scout reflects on the trial, saying, "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." (Lee 227). This shows how her perspective has shifted to one of acceptance and inclusivity, rather than the previously held belief that people were inherently different …show more content…

He begins to question the beliefs of his community and grapples with the reality of racism and prejudice. After the trial, Jem reflects on his disillusionment with the justice system, saying, "I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world. . . . Folks hereabouts believed in Jim Crow laws, folks like Miss Gates said they were right - all Negroes lie, that's what she said, that's why it's a sin to kill them" (Lee 240). This quote demonstrates Jem's newfound understanding of the prejudices and injustices that exist in his

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(246). Jem’s analogy accurately describes his ignorance before this point. He was always in the center of the community but he was blind to the people around him. Now, he realizes that he was wrong and that the people of Maycomb are not as innocent as they seem. After Jem’s epiphany, Lee incorporates dialogue to support and further build upon the theme of prejudice.

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In Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, two characters change because of experiences they witness first hand. These characters, Scout and Jem, morally developed throughout the story by watching what happens with Tom Robinson’s trial, and by watching their father face the discrimination and hate because of the trial. Jem is a kind, young boy. He sees the world as a little kid would. Jem was bewildered when his dad, Atticus, shot and killed a dog in one shot.

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The major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the loss of innocence. Not only do Scout and Jem lose their innocence, but other characters do as well. Scout and Jem grow up throughout the book, as they are exposed to the realities of racism, hatred and child abuse. They witness racism in the Tom Robinson case when Mayella Ewell claims he took advantage of her, when it was really Bob Ewell that did it. The court voted Tom Robinson guilty because he was African American, and most of the town would have been furious if a white man was convicted over a black man.

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Tom Robinson, a poor black man in Maycomb, becomes convicted by Bob Ewell of raping his daughter, Mayella. The occurrence of the Tom Robinson trial exhibits on Jem’s disappointment over the conclusion the jury decides.

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In To Kill A Mockingbird, loss of innocence and subsequent gain of maturity are strong themes, shown in Jem and Scout as they grow up. Jem and Scout’s journeys of innocence to understanding vastly differ in their reactions to the two characters that drive the plot: Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson, a black man, was wrongfully accused and convicted of rape, even though most of Maycomb knew he was innocent, which is a critical part of the book. The trial has a pivotal effect on Jem’s innocence not mirrored in Scout.

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The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about two kids, Jem and Scout, and their childhood in their small town Maycomb, Alabama. In the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout were two innocent kids playing in the summer sun, until school came along. Jem was about twelve throughout the novel and Scout was eight, and considering that Jem was twelve in the novel, he was changing. During the middle of the novel a rape trial occurred, which included a black man being accused by a white woman of first-degree rape. Atticus, the kid’s father was defending the african american man; Tom Robinson.

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This event shows Scout’s intolerance of people at the beginning of the novel. During Tom Robinson 's trial, Scout learns a great deal more about tolerance. She learns to accept the way other people live. As well, she learns about the intolerance that some other people have. Scout’s perception of tolerance throughout the novel changes her behavior.

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One Page Paragraph “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a book that uses language to describe a person as an “other”. A few pages into the book the author, Harper Lee introduces a mysterious character named Arthur “Boo” Radley. This character suffers a lot of misunderstandings throughout the book and the kids make a lot of sly comments to make Boo seem like a scary person. Walter and Jem begin to have a conversation about Boo Radley, and Jem claims, “A haint lives there,” and points directly at his house (31) In this situation they call him a haint, basically saying that Arthur is a soul of a dead person or a ghost which makes him seem like he is just a creature.

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To Kill a Mockingbird follows the main character Scout and her brother Jem Finch over

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Every mob in every little southern town is always made of people you know… “(157). Scout was beginning to learn about the unbending prejudice of people who have been raised in a racist environment. Through this event, she learned that people in groups are capable of doing things that they wouldn’t ordinarily do on their own. Similarly, Lee hyperbolizes the stress the case inflicts upon Atticus by comparing it to dying: “It’s Tom Robinson’s case that’s worryin’ him to death” (138).

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In society, there are very few people who have the unwavering dedication to stand up for what they believe. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a black man was convicted and accused of a crime he didn 't commit, raping a white women, which is not in anyway tolerable in society. In Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird, the author used point of view and symbolism to acknowledge how the the several social divisions which make up much of the adult world are shown to be both irrational and extremely destructive. To begin with, the short story To Kill A Mockingbird, used point of view to show how the many social divisions in the world are irrational and destructive. Scout; a first grade student at the time, was telling the story from her point of view and what had occurred from her childhood perspective.

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“Nobody actually wants to grow up. We just want the freedom to use our youths. ”-Unknown. This quote represents Scouts character. How she wants to understand the world yet she doesn’t want to grow up.

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The children are exposed to reality by inquiring Atticus about the defense. Once again, their relationship is the key to discovering the truth. Atticus relates to Jem on a level that he can handle, and then Jem will tell Scout. Another factor that develops the plot is Jem’s transition into his teen years. He is growing throughout the whole novel, and with this he becomes more independent of Scout.

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"Like something ' asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that 's what they seemed like." this evidence shows that Jem before the trial saw everyone is good but after all the persecution his family got during the Tom Robinson trial he is forced to look at the people of Maycomb as what they truly are and not all of them are good like he thought. Although Jem does not physically die the child inside of him does.

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The story Scout’s maturation which tends to depict main characters who take large step in personal growth due to life lesson or specific trauma, Scout Finch work to come to terms with the facts of her society, including social inequality, racial inequality and expectation to act as a “proper southern lady”. Through observing their society and interacting with people like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley they come to understand more about true bravery, cowardice and humanity. Harper Lee uses Tom Robinson in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird to demonstrate the theme that racism instigates an unjust society and a loss of innocence. Firstly, Harper Lee uses Jem Finch to show lost of innocence in the presence of inequality. After Tom Robinson’s conviction, Jem said to his father, “Atticus, said Jem bleakly...

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