Examples Of Social Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 743
Pages: 3
Open Document
What is social justice? Social justice is defined as the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice, according to businessdictionary.com. Social justice was denied to many people in the time period To Kill A Mockingbird was set and written, due to the fact that some refused to accept these people because of their difference of race. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus to reveal her ideas about social justice.
One such way Harper Lee reveals her ideas of social justice is through the fairness of Atticus. Atticus tells the jury, “The witnesses for …show more content…
As Atticus explains to Scout, “I’m simply defending a Negro-his name’s Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean living folks. Scout you aren’t old enough to understand somethings yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man. It’s a peculiar case-it won’t come to trial until the summer session. John Taylor was kind enough to give us a postponement…” and continues to say “For a number of reasons” and “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you of Jem not to something again.” (Lee 62-63). Atticus understands why people in Maycomb do not want him to defend Tom Robinson, but he knows that if he does not defend Tom Robinson he will lose his sense of honor. Atticus would feel as if he lost his honor because he knows that Tom Robinson deserves a fair chance in trial. Atticus’s understanding and honor leads him to give social justice to Tom Robinson despite the objections of
Show More

Related Documents: Examples Of Social Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Essay on Mockingbird: To Kill a Mockingbird and Maycomb Courtroom Blacks

In Paper * Commentary of the American Judicial System * How Social Class affects the Maycomb courtroom * 4 Social Classes in Maycomb County Alabama * TIME PERIOD---1930s Depression Era * Hierarchy of Social Distinctions in Maycomb County * SYMBOLISM---Protagonist role in pursuing justice Allegorical Elements in Title Commentary of the American Judicial System The story told in To Kill a Mockingbird can be regarded as a commentary of the American judicial system. It…

Words 755 - Pages 4

What Is Atticus Finch's Ideas About Social Justice

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a story that takes place in the 1930s during The Great Depression. In this novel, a mockingbird symbolizes an innocent figure that is tormented by society. In the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, racism and inequality is an uprising issue. The meaning of this story as a whole is that it is wrong to demonstrate inequality, or treating someone like a mockingbird. The character of Atticus Finch, reveals Lee’s ideas about social justice. Social justice is demonstrated…

Words 364 - Pages 2

Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Nowadays, people are more willing to adapt to change in order to evolve the views society perceives as being the normalization; however, that has not always been the case. When reading, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is easy to decipher just how much society in the 1930s differs from that of today’s, which is why it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature. Through Harper Lee’s work of literature, it is apparent that she conveys the theme that injustices are experienced by those thought to…

Words 1056 - Pages 5

Examples Of Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

No hope of victory, feeling as if the sky applied to the earth, and a sense of humiliation, such as playing a person as a puppet are examples of being oppressed. Injustice can be the result of people's words, taking the property and rights of weak people and giving false testimony in pursuit of personal interests. The novels could very well be based on real facts of the way that black people were treated in the past. America was home to one of the greatest atrocities committed on mankind. In 12 Years…

Words 1050 - Pages 5

Theme Of Social Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the book “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Harper Lee uses Atticus’s character to convey the idea of social justice by writing him a lawyer with two children. Their names are Scout and Jem Finch. Atticus Finch is a lawyer defending a colored man name Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of the rape of a women name Mayella Ewell. Scout and Jem are young kids. They are no older than 10 years old. In the book they talk about their father as if he is an old man that doesn't do anything that the young dads…

Words 243 - Pages 1

Labels In To Kill A Mockingbird

during the times of racial segregation and suffrage against women and blacks. In the book “To Kill A MockingBird” by Harper Lee, Lee tells the story of how labels affect the people in Maycomb, Alabama treat one another. These labels can deny people equal justice, decide where people belong on the social hierarchy, and force people to cope with stereotypes. The white people of Maycomb deny equal justice towards the black people of maycomb, by using negative labels towards them. For instance when…

Words 821 - Pages 4

To Kill A Mockingbird Injustice And Injustice Analysis

effective way to make wise, just decisions, as shown in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird , by Harper Lee. In this story, a young girl, Scout, and her older brother, Jem, are learning about the real world outside of their childish fantasies. With the help of their father, Atticus, and their community in the small, southern town of Maycomb, they learn that the world is not always a fair place. Through the symbolism of the Mockingbird and characters such as Tom Robinson, Harper Lee shows that a lack of…

Words 877 - Pages 4

Work Essay

Finch "To Kill a Mocking Bird" was set back in the mid 1900's, racism was high and discrimination of the black was still running. The text "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus challenges the case of Tom Robinson for rape and abuse of Mayella Ewell, showing the protection of the of Tom Robinson skin colour and showing the defence of African American People . Atticus Finch is a man with strong values and who does the right thing. This is shown when he defends Tom Robinson despite the social stigma of…

Words 1135 - Pages 5

Effects Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

are similar to a mockingbird because they are harmless yet they have a target on their back for no reason. Like shooting a mockingbird is a sin, so is judging other people. This theme is commonly referred to in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee’s characters of Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird are compared to mockingbirds to display the negative effects prejudice can have on a community. Atticus Finch is one character easily compared to a mockingbird due to the prejudice…

Words 1013 - Pages 5

On How to Kill A Mockingbird Essay

On How To Kill A Mockingbird Destyne Ford ENG 225: Introduction to Film Instructor Christine Hilger 9/14/14 To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most well-known films and books of the century. Labeled as a courtroom drama for viewers, it is much more than just that and many people can relate to the film’s societal problems. I believe that it is a must-watch for everyone. This film could give anyone with a soul a good look at the harm that jumping to conclusions about someone…

Words 1808 - Pages 8