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Harper Lee uses a motif, mocking birds, in most of the main characters to explore the theme of prejudice. She also uses characterisation to show the contrast of how it affects all of the characters in the novel to To Kill A Mocking Bird. The Finches- Atticus, Jem and Scout- are all mocking birds. The name Finch suggests this. Atticus was Harper Lees ideal man his only fault was that he was too idealistic. Atticus didnt see any place for prejudice of any kind.
He defended a blackman Tom Robinson in a case that he knew would be very difficult to win and could totally change his life. Atticus was brave in doing this. He was nigger lover by several people but just took it in his stride. He even replied to Scout I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody. He also tried to act the same around everyone.
He was always polite to black people, undesirable people and the rest of Maycomb. He always called Mayella Miss Mayella. Mayella didnt see this as him being polite and got annoyed Long hew keeps on callin me maam an sayin Miss Mayella I dont heat take his sass. Miss Made comments on this and says hes consistently polite. Atticus was clever and carefully planed out how he asked the questions during the court case.
He asks Mayella about her family background before he questions her about the alleged rape. Similarly, he asks Tom about his previous convictions before he asks him about the situation with Mayella. He does this because he knows it will have a particular effect on the jury listening Jem said Atticus was showing the jury that Tom had nothing to hide. Scout is also a mocking bird and was affected by prejudice.
She, like Atticus, was called a nigger lover and was nearly killed because Atticus defended Tom Robinson. Scout started off quite prejudiced and would make fun or Boo Radley in the games she played with Jem and Dill. Scout you can be Mrs Radley. They didnt understand about prejudice but Atticus taught her later to be nice to everybody like he was I do my best to love everybody and You shouldnt call them niggers you should call them Negros Calpurnia also influenced Scout. She was taught that politeness should be shown to all people even if their manner differ from yours Dont matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house yo company, and dont let me catch you remain on other ways like you so high and mighty! Scout was a tomboy.
She got into a few fights because she was defending what she thought was right. She fought her cousin because he said Atticus as a nigger lover I guess it aint your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger lover, but Im here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family. To this Scout responded by jumping on him and fighting him It was easy to collar Francis Aunt Alexandra was sexist and constantly criticised the way Scout talked, dressed and acted Its time you started being a girl and acting right. Scout was polite to everybody and very honest but still spoke a little slang. She told a group of ladies that her breeches were under her dress under my dress.
Scout was able to make friends with almost anyone and was very loving towards her brother. She befriended Walter Cunningham. This was a shock to Aunt Alexandra and she didnt want Scout to see him Because-he-is-trash thats why you cant play with him, picking up his bad habits and Lord-knows-what! Scout worshiped Jem and was very up set when he was knocked out unconscious Auntie, is Jem dead?
Scout was clever and wanted others to know about people like the Cunningham's. She tried explaining to her teacher but, but her teacher thought this stereotyping was offensive Walters one of the Cunningham's, Miss Caroline. All scouts teachings helped her to respect others. At the black peoples church Scout didnt ask many questions and respected their way of doing things. Tom Robinson is the most obvious character who adds to the theme of prejudice.
He is also a mocking bird. He was targeted because of his race. He was always polite. He always calls Judge Taylor and Atticus Suh which was his way of saying sir. He helped Mayella Shed call me in, suh. Seemed like every time I passed by yonder shed have some little somethin for me to do- chopping kindling, total water for her.
Despite of this he was charged with rape. Mr Link Deas said he was a very good worker. He talked with the Southern colloquialisms and dialect Shed call me in, suh. Seemed like every time I passed by yonder shed have some little somethin for me to do- chopping kindling, total water for her. This was similar to most of the black people in Maycomb. The whole town wanted Tom to win but no one wanted to take the side of a black person over a white person- except Atticus Did it ever strike you that judge Taylor naming Atticus to defend that boy was no accident?
Boo Radley another mocking bird was also affected by prejudice. He was locked up by his parents, for doing one wrong thing, and only let out at night. He was very secretive. This gave others a wrong impression of him and people were scared of his ways.
He would leave presents for Scout and Jem in a tree. He was very kind and kept a careful eye over Jem and Scout. He came out with a blanket after the fire at Miss Maudies house. He saved their lives by stopping Bob Ewell stab Jem and Scout after Bob had lynched them. Harper Lees view on prejudice is that it is very wrong and that people should change their opinions. This is noticeable through out the novel being the least prejudiced but at the end many people had changed their opinion about characters affected by prejudice.
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Research essay sample on Jem And Scout Boo Radley
