Preview

Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird, And Of Mice And Men

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
693 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird, And Of Mice And Men
Discrimination Essay Everyone in the world will experience discrimination at least once in their life. It is something that has become so accepted in the world today, not many people notice it even happening anymore. The famous quote by Roger Staubach, “Discrimination is a disease,” is one of the truest things I have heard. The families that discriminate the most often pass it on to their children, until everyone around them feels that way too. It just feeds off of itself until everyone tends to think that way. The three most examples that stick out to me is the holocaust, the book To Kill a Mockingbird, and of Mice and Men. “Without memory, there would be no culture. Without memory, would be no civilization, no society, no future.” exclaimed Elie Wiesel a holocaust survivor. Many innocent people were killed during this awful time, the jews were discriminated against by Adolf Hitler. It is sad to think about that one man could do this much damage to the …show more content…
Tom Robinson was a very nice man who did nothing to deserve to die, but he got accused of something he didn’t do and there was no way of proving a black man innocent in that day and time. Although most of the unfair treatment was mostly towards the African American race, Scout and Jem experienced it when they went with Cal to the black church. They told Scout and Jem “to go to their own church.” Atticus was one of the best people in the book to not judge others by appearance, this helped him love everyone and get along with most people no matter where they came from. The quote from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it.” (3. 85-87) This quote from the book symbolizes that we all cannot judge people because we do not know their story or what is going on in

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    It must be acknowledged that there were several negative outcomes of Atticus’ decision to take on the case of Tom Robinson. For instance, when it is first discovered by the people of Maycomb that Mr. Finch has assumed the black man’s case, even their children lash out against Scout and Jem, nearly causing a fight in the schoolyard as a result (Lee 77). However, Atticus uses this as a teaching moment for his children, which is then imparted along to the vast number of readers who have studied the pages of To Kill A Mockingbird, learning the same invaluable lesson that Scout does, to “hold [one’s] head high and keep [one’s] fists down” and continue to stand and fight for what is right and just (Lee 78). Furthermore, some could question the wisdom…

    • 261 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university” - (Albert Einstein). These words reflect the way Atticus Finch, protagonist, attorney, and father in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, lives his life. There is no difference to him in regards to race, social status, or gender. Atticus Finch is an admirable gentleman who demonstrates intelligence and respectfulness throughout the Tom Robinson trial and his interactions with people who despised the fact that he was taking the case. He strongly believes in respect for people of color and passes his belief down to his children by taking the Tom Robinson case. Although he is at times too trusting of people, his words and actions continue to prove to his children and community how a real gentleman behaves.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    However, after Tom Robinson is convicted for a crime that he clearly did not commit, Atticus’ mercy for humanity begins to waver. Even though he knows that this case was inherently against Robinson, he still feels distraught that the jury was prejudiced enough to declare a man guilty, only because of the color of his skin. After the verdict, Atticus “... left the courtroom, but not by his usual exit. He must have wanted to go home the short way, because he walked quickly down the middle aisle toward the south exit… He did not look up.” (Lee, 215). Throughout the novel, Lee has created Atticus as the wise figure who seeks the goodness in everything.. He teaches Jem and Scout to walk in one’s shoes before judging them and that the surface of one's life does not accurately portray what is within. This scene shows that human malevolence can change Atticus’ attitude, despite how strongly he feels that every human has a part of them that is pure. Lee’s juxtaposition of Atticus’ character gives the reader insight on how an incident that involves the abuse of human virtue can change one’s attitude and…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The remarks about Atticus helping Toim Robinson were arising from all over Maycomb County. Family, adults and even children who repeat whatever their parents say talk about Atticus in a poor manner. For instance, in the process of Francis aggravating Scout, he explains to her that Aunt Alexandria had said that Atticus was, “ruinin’ the family”, because he’s turned into a “nigger-lover”, and therefore they’ll, “never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb County”. If the people of Maycomb County put themselves in Tom Robinson’s shoes and showed empathy towards him, then the community wouldn’t shame him as much as they do now. In addition, in this particular case, empathy for Tom Robinson wouldn’t only justify and clarify the prejudices people have towards him, it would also stop the rants against Atticus Finch, because since Tom Robinson is being represented in court by Atticus, he often gets kicked out of the…

    • 781 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A connection so strong that allows readers to be impacted by the material inside the book. Harper Lee’s character, Atticus, not only had an impact on his children or the community, but also the readers. Readers were affected by Atticus’s stand for justice and equality. In the book, Atticus says, “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson's skin. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing” (273). As a reader, it is comprehended that Atticus is saying not to judge people because everybody has made a mistake at least once in their lifetime. Nobody is perfect, and the sooner people start to realize that, the better. Blacks are always perceived as the villains, but whites make the same mistakes as blacks. Blacks are equal to whites! Race does not matter. Both races should be treated with the same respect and equality. Atticus also says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). After Scout's rough first day at school, Atticus tells her how she won't understand anyone unless it is from their point of view. From looking at somebody’s point of view, it allows for people to understand why they act the way they do. This piece of moral advice was not only directed towards Scout, but to the readers. The message is to live with sympathy and attempt to understand others by “standing in their shoes.” Although somebody may be different, that does not mean that they should not be treated with justice. Everybody deserves to be treated with justice, regardless of the situation that they are in. In the…

    • 1844 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stereotyping is an act that many might do out of ignorance or intentionally. It plagues society today, for it causes many individuals to hate others based on a personal opinions. In Webster’s New World Dictionary, the word “stereotype” is defined as “a way of thinking about a person, group, etc. that follows a fixed, common pattern, paying no attention to individual differences”. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” there are many examples of stereotyping between Whites and Negroes. In the book, Lulu, a fellow negro, says, “You ain't got no business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church ain’t it, Miss Cal?” (136) Certain races might have conflicts between each other, causing them to have a negative thoughts…

    • 370 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus believes in treating people fairly. For instance on page 100 Atticus says the reason he defends tom robinson is “I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this town’s legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or jem not to do something again”. This is an example of how Atticus treats Tom Robinson equally no matter the color of his skin by defending him like how he would defend a white man when the rest of the town will despise Atticus because of it. Also on page 39 Atticus and scout are having a…

    • 533 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To begin with, Atticus demonstrates empathy towards African Americans when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, an African American, who is being falsely accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Atticus explains to Scout that everyone is equal despite their skin color and is the reason why he is defending Tom. Also, Atticus defends Tom because he is trying to fight for equality in his town Maycomb that is known for great discrimination. Atticus understands the fear and pain Tom Robinson and his family feel about the case, regardless if they are African American.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One of the first optimistic points that can be found in this novel is found in Scout and Jem's father, Atticus Finch. There are many times throughout the novel in which Atticus represents the good in the American society at the time the book was published. Mr Finch was not a racist man. He held equal views of both races, which is why he had no problem with accepting the Tom Robinson case. The moral and ethical lessons taught to Scout and Jem by Atticus throughout the novel, were not meant to only assist in telling the story, but to help teach those reading the novel valuable lessons in life about equality and people's rights. One of the most important lessons taught by Atticus, was to "shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." This is a valuable lesson for people of all ages to learn, and is conveyed in many contexts throughout the book. Harper Lee expressed optimism in this quote, as she believed that she could teach the people some good, and that they might learn from her novel. Through Atticus, Harper Lee showed the good in the world, and the good that the world could achieve.…

    • 808 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Discrimination in our world is a common thing. It comes in all types of forms from the way we look, what religion you practice or the color or your skin. Throughout history this shows to be true with the Jews during WWII all the way to the African Americans in South Africa. Discrimination is a horrible event that has caused pain and suffering to even good people just based on the different ways people do things and the way some look.…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “It was once said that not remembering the Holocaust means to side with the executioners against its victims; not to remember means to kill the victims a second time; not to remember means to become an accomplice of the enemy. On the other hand, to remember means to feel compassion for the victims of all persecutions. By solemnly commemorating the tragedy of the Holocaust, we will keep history in mind, never forget the past, cherish all lives, and create…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The book describes in detail how African Americans were looked at and treated in 1930. Atticus was a lawyer with 2 children, Jem and Scout. Atticus is defending an African American man named Tom Robinson, who has little to no chance of winning the case. Tom Robinson in Harper lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is a character that really sheds light on the plight of an African American man…

    • 1277 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee tackles an extremely sensitive issue in this book, which is Racism. She conveys an impending statement about how prejudice can really extract a person’s self-integrity and respect from society, but if equality and justice was to exist, prejudice is just a mere imagination in a bad dream. “Lemme tell you somethin now, Billy,” a third said, “you know the court appointed him to defend this Negro” and Jem says “Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it (pg 157).””. Harper lee was very clever to include Atticus’s personality during this conversation. Lee conveys subtly to the reader about how prejudice is that Tom Robinson was immorally declared of raping Mayella, and equality and justice is that Atticus takes up the case of defending Tom voluntarily. “Atticus sighed. “I’m simply defending a Negro - his name’s Tom Robinson.” (P81). Lee tries to convey that, Atticus identifies Tom by name to emphasize his humanity instead of his race/ skin-color. She explains that no matter what race or skin color everyone should be treated equal. Lee developed this idea to make us realize that your race and skin color doesn’t matter, if you are really innocent then nothing is to be feared…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus taught Jem how to be very tolerant of others. Atticus said in court while he was defending a black man, "Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson's skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white” Jem understood what his father taught him and when the black man, Tom Robinson was found guilty, Jem broke down in tears. “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting.” (Lee 215) This shows how empathetic Jem was to Tom even though Tom is looked down upon in their prejudice town.…

    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "That is my major preoccupation –memory, the kingdom of memory. I want to protect and enrich that kingdom, glorify that kingdom and serve it." (Wiesel, Elie). The Holocaust has synthesized uncountable horrors in the minds of those discriminated against as well as challenge the rest of the world to envision the torture, heartbreak, and ultimately death of its victims.…

    • 1323 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays