Ignorance In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 1192
Pages: 5
Open Document
Ignorance is a lack or experience or knowledge; however, one can mature from ignorance similar to outgrowing clothing. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, the idea of ignorance versus understanding is explored. Over the course of the book, the two main characters Scout and Jem develop from ignorance to understanding and empathy. Part one of the book encompasses their childish fears of Boo Radley, while part two refers to the trial of Tom Robinson and its consequences. The lessons the children are taught in part one enable them to understand and empathize with the trial in part two and those involved, despite their xenophobic community.
In the beginning part of the book, Scout and Jem are fascinated yet terrified by the …show more content…
Their father, Atticus, teaches them to sympathize with Boo and their motherly neighbor Miss Maudie teaches them to understand him. When Atticus catches them playing the Boo Radley game he scolds that “what Mr. Radley did was his own business. If he wanted to come out, he would.”(54), Scout then summarizes Atticus’s words by narrating “How would we like it if Atticus barged in on us without knocking, when we were in our rooms at night? We were, in effect, doing the same thing to Mr. Radley.”(54). When Atticus compares the children to Boo it helps them empathize with him. His words persuade Jem and Scout to think of Boo as a person similar to them, rather than what the myths portray him as. The other adult who heavily influences Scout and Jem and helps them mature is Miss Maudie. When Scout asks Miss Maudie if the rumours about Boo Radley are true, she responds “I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did. Spoke as nicely as he knew how. “(51). Miss Maudie helps Scout understand Boo and breaks her preconceived notion of his monstrosity. By demonstrating the fact that she judges Boo by her own interactions with him rather than myths, Miss Maudie shows Scout that to be prejudice is to be wrong. The children absorb the lessons Miss Maudie and Atticus teach them and apply them in part two of the
Show More

Related Documents: Ignorance In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Ignorance

experiences throughout our daily lives, we also gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. If we have more experiences and open up, we can become less ignorant and gain a wider knowledge. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters all have experiences that exposes their ignorance as it relates to today's society. She reinforces the theme of ignorance through the experiences with Scout's first grade school teacher, the court trial, and Boo Radley…

Words 396 - Pages 2

Examples Of Ignorance In To Kill A Mockingbird

Ignorance is a common theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. These are all common since the book takes place in the 1930s. Ignorance is shown mostly by Scout. There are different types of ignorance in this novel. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee contemplates a common theme which ignorance therefore shows racism, sexism, and general ignorance in the book. Racial ignorance is a common theme showed through Scout. Racism in the 1930s was common and used everyday. Scout was around it everyday and came…

Words 859 - Pages 4

To Kill A Mockingbird Ignorance Analysis

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, tells the story and life of Scout Finch who lived in the old town Maycomb. As she starts growing up, she begins to understand the world better as well as losing her ignorance.Ignorance is something that transcends through generation, race, and through the individual. Aunt Alexandra and Miss Gates are two adults that represents generational ignorance. Racial ignorance is another form of ignorance represented by Bob Ewell who opposes black clashes with Atticus…

Words 1321 - Pages 6

Theme Of Ignorance In To Kill A Mockingbird

Imagine being oblivious to the cruel and evil world that was the 20th century society. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, three children find themselves in that exact situation. They spend most of their childhood ignorant to the real problems of the outside world. In Maycomb county, they face reality, loss of innocence, and the veils of racism.…

Words 60 - Pages 1

To Kill A Mockingbird Innocence Quotes

and not to let it get killed by an evil. In the novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, society in the town of Maycomb is tough to see around for the Finches and the racism involved splits the town into multiple classes that dislike each other. One day, a black man by the name of Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell and the case was brought to court where Atticus Finch was devoted to defending Tom Robinson from the ignorance and prejudice of Maycomb. Unfortunately, Atticus had lost…

Words 1043 - Pages 5

Comparative Essay; to Kill a Mockingbird and the Colour Purple

One Will Take What He Is Given The purpose of Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is to demonstrate the hardships that are met when ignorance and tradition bring about the influence of sexism, racism and genuine prejudice to the general public. Ignorance is the root cause of prejudice as it prevents one to see beauty, so when it comes to dealing with the discriminating behavior held in this social order, the vast majority of people are judged by the label…

Words 3835 - Pages 16

Similarities Between To Kill A Mockingbird And The Help

Killing Racism By Using Courage and Understanding Are indifference and fear major factors of racism, courage, and understanding? The novel To Kill a Mockingbird and the film The Help both illustrate how fear and indifference fuel racism while killing courage and understanding. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, an African-American man named Tom Robinson is put on trial for the rape of a 19 year old girl named Mayella Ewell. The narrator’s father is the lawyer for Tom, and during this time our…

Words 1490 - Pages 6

Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird(TKM). During Harper Lee’s childhood she was born and raised in Alabama the south during the Jim Crow era. She has experienced the racial prejudices What Prejudices? and wrote TKM around the setting of her own experiences in the south. Preconceived opinion may be used as a defense mechanism Against what? to prevent certain outcomes however without actual experience it becomes prejudice. Prejudice creates fear, anger, and, shame in people shrouded in ignorance Ignorance or…

Words 459 - Pages 2

Ethical Issues In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird "I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." With the bluejays symbolizing black culture which can be attacked, blamed, and harmed, while mockingbirds represent the white, dominant race which is untouchable. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a story about the Finch family who lives in Maycomb. Scout and Jem are the main characters whose father…

Words 753 - Pages 4

Skills: To Kill a Mockingbird and Innocent Singing Creatures Essay

STOP THE PRESS! Answer this question, how would you feel if you were wrongly accused of a serious offense that can ruin you in the eyes of others? The connotation to the title "To Kill A Mockingbird" stands out as a portrayal towards Tom Roberson. Tom Roberson has unfortunately been maliciously accused of raping Mayella Yule. No One Wants To Be Convicted Of Something They Haven't Done. Mayella Yule at no time seemed believable. what was the goal behind this act? To begin with, Mayella Ewell was…

Words 430 - Pages 2