Rohan Chhaya1/23/17FrancisTKAM EssayHow would you feel if you were sent to prison for a disgusting crime that you didn´t commit? In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a story that takes place in a small Alabama town in the 1930s, during the great depression, and is told primarily from the point of view of six-to-nine-year-old Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. She is the daughter of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer hired to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man falsely accused of raping a white woman.
To Kill A Mockingbird portrays Scout’s growing awareness of the injustice and hypocrisy in the adult life. Characters such as Bob Ewell shows us that we shouldn’t make rash decisions when you are fighting for something important, Scout shows us that we should be courageous enough to stand up for the right cause, and through Tom Robinson we know that every individual deserves equal rights.Through the character of Bob Ewell we can learn that we shouldn’t make imprudent decisions when you are fighting for what you believe in. When Bob Ewell was in the courtroom, he vociferated out a racist remark towards Tom Robinson. ‘”I seen that black n*gger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!’, yelled Mr. Ewell” (Lee 173). Since Mr. Ewell is so hell-bent on proving Mayella innocent, he disresgards Tom Robinson’s emotions by spewing out deragatory terms.
Through the character of Scout Finch we learn that we should be able to gather enough courage, and stand up for the right thing. When Atticus was talking sedately with the angry mob, Scout decided to barge into their conversation because she felt that her dad was in danger. When things were getting tense, Scout interrupted the mens’ conversation, and spoke directly to Walter Cunningham, reminding him about his ties to the Finch family. “Jem shreiked and tried to catch me, but I had a lead on him and Dill. I pushed my way through dark smelly bodies and burst into a circle of light. ‘Hey Atticus!”‘ (Lee 152).
Since Scout is so loving and caring for her loved ones, she was brave enough to butt her head into an argument full of grown men, just so she could make sure her father was safe. Through the character of Tom Robinson, we learn that everybody deserves equal rights, no matter what skin color, religion, or ethnic backgrounds. Tom Robinson is falsely accused and unfortunately, convicted, of a crime he didn’t commit. ‘”It ain’t right, Atticus,’ said Jem’No son, it’s not right.’ said Atticus” (Lee 212). Since Jem and Atticus are both upset about the verdict being unfair, we learn that Tom Robinson wasn’t treated equally. Due to the fact that Atticus was the defending attorney for Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout thought Tom would definitely be proven innocent. But because of the racial prejudices at the time, the verdict came out bias.
For the duration of the book, Scout is learning the ways of life as an adult, Tom Robinson experiences social injustice with the court case, and Bob Ewell is fighting to prove his daughter’s innocence. To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel with many very complex characters all with difficult lives. For example, Atticus Finch lives a difficult life on the inside. Atticus is discriminated against for associating with African Americans, and must be very conscious of his behavior both in and outside the house. Because Atticus must come to terms with what is easy and what is right, a problem which causes him inner problems, he lives a more difficult life. Atticus must deal with his conscience and live according to his morals and values in more than one place during a troubled time.
Harper Lee creates very complex characters which she develops well, such as Atticus, who may on the surface appear to live a comfortable life, but lives a very hard and confusing life deeper down.
