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To Kill A Mockingbird Justice And Injustice Essay

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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a novel that depicts the themes of racism, justice and or injustice, and discrimination in the Southern United States during the 1930s. The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young little girl in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, and is always around her father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a lawyer who later in the story as a white man has to defend a black man, Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Through the eyes of Scout as an innocent little kid, the novel shows the prejudices and injustices that occurred in the 1930’s. Racism is the main theme in "To Kill a Mockingbird." The racial motivation in Maycomb is high and the Negros in the story are treated as second-class citizens. Tom Robinson’s trial is a stark example of the racism prevalent in the town. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, the all-white jury convicts him simply because of his race. Atticus, the moral compass of the story, stands firm in his belief in racial equality and vigorously defends Tom against the unjust accusations. …show more content…

Atticus’s decision to defend Tom Robinson is a direct challenge to the injustices of the legal system and society at large. In his closing argument, Atticus eloquently argues that all men are created equal and deserve equal justice under the law. However, the verdict of the trial exposes the harsh reality that justice is not blind and is often tainted by prejudice and discrimination. The injustice of Tom’s conviction weighs heavily on both Atticus and Scout, illustrating the profound impact of systemic racism on individuals and

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(110). Francis continues to slander Atticus’ choice to defend Tom Robinson by suggesting that he is “ruining the family.” Unfortunately, Atticus’ racial impartiality is a stance not taken by other members of his family. Since Francis views the defense of an African American man as an act of insult, he demonstrates the theme of prejudice. Furthermore, certain members of the town often voice opinions about Tom Robinson’s trial and Atticus’ participation in prejudicial proceedings.

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To Kill A Mockingbird by the late Harper Lee is a very monumental book in classic American literature. It is filled with craft moves that support the goals that Lee makes the reader aware of throughout the story. To Kill A Mockingbird is about the struggles of dealing with a court case supporting a black man, Tom Robinson, through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch. Scout lives with her father Atticus in a small home in Maycomb County, Alabama. She goes through many internal struggles throughout the story that she learns to deal with.

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Though people are fond of Atticus himself, his decision to aim for Tom Robinson’s justice causes discomfort, “ ‘Lemme tell you somethin’ now, Billy’ a third said, ‘you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.’ ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it” (186). The quote exposes that everyone understand the fact that he is assigned to the case but do not understand as to why he is so intent on proving a black man’s innocence. Since Atticus exceedingly expresses his thought on Tim’s innocence and involves so much of himself in the case with a black person, he obtains negative feedback and gets called a nigger-lover.

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Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.

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Throughout the case, Atticus fights for justice against mean and racist people that care more about Robinson’s skin color rather than the evidence. Atticus understands a lot about justice and learns more after his experience with Tom’s case. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus’s experience

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The stubbornness the Finch family possesses makes them courageous and strong despite what others say. To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee that discusses racism and inequality during the early 1930s. The 1930s were a time of great depression where everyone was struggling to provide for their families. The main character of this book is Scout, Scout is a young girl who lives in Maycomb County with her father, Atticus and her older brother, Jem. Atticus is well known and adored by his neighbors for his commitment to his job as a Lawyer, he brings a lot of respect to the Finch family.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of the most influential novels of the 20th century. To Kill a Mockingbird is set during the Great Depression in Maycomb County, Alabama and is centered on a young girl named Scout Finch. Throughout the novel, Scout grows and witnesses the destruction of innocence through the trial and unjust conviction of Tom Robinson, an African-American man, his death, and how it affects her family. One of the major themes in To Kill A Mockingbird is the intentional delusions of people to avoid accepting a harsh truth in relation to race. This message is shown through the racist attitudes of the citizens of Maycomb County and is still prevalent today.

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Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many examples of injustice and prejudice from the residents of Maycomb County. These preconceived notions were assumptions made without considering the citizens' true character and judging them based on otherwise meaningless attributes such as wealth or status. Harper Lee implemented the feeling of a small town by accentuating the personalities and overall environment in meticulous detail. Atticus, the father of the two siblings Jem and Scout, opposed what his community previously believed and stated, "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience. " The community of Maycomb was impactful because of its traditions, differences in social classes, and connections.

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By listing how “some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity than others” and how “some people are born gifted”(Lee 233), Atticus proves to the jury they are not equal to Tom Robinson. He doesn’t want the jurors to convict Tom based on their fear that black men will gain more power. He alludes to their fear of blacks becoming more powerful to reassure this one case isn’t going to change anything. Atticus reassures the men they are only equal because the law reads in “courts all men are created equal”(Lee 233). By establishing this with the jurors, he explains in their court system a black man is equal to a white man and a poor man is equal to a rich man.

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In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, the trial of Tom Robinson reveals profound connections between the novel and real-world issues. In Harper Lee’s book, we see the problems presented as racial injustice, prejudice, and the justice system's shortcomings in attempting to compensate for superiority. Tom Robinson’s case presents itself as a poignant reflection on the racism and inequality present in the legal system today. By examining the parallels between these two realities we see the shortcomings of America’s justice system -- we gain insight into discrimination and justice. “To Kill a Mockingbird” gives us a lens that allows us to resonate with the justice and equality within America’s justice system; urging us to confront the deep-rooted

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