To Kill a Mockingbird

English Speech The bildungsroman genre comprises social and psychological maturity of its protagonist. Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Gwen Harwood’s Father and Child poem both are written in bildungsroman genre. The two texts surround the themes of childhood innocence and maturing to reflect upon universal human experiences. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on the protagonist, Scout, and how moves from a state of innocence to one of maturity. At the start of the book, Scout is like any other girl; her ideas are simple and childish.

Scouts loss of innocence is portrayed in the Tom Robinson’s trial. Most adults of the community insist scout is too young to hear about a trial about rape, however scout replies, “I most certainly am not, I know every word you’re saying. ” This shows the loss of innocence in Scout and reflects on the universal human experiences surrounding this theme. Similarly, Gwenn Harwood’s Father and Child also uses the bildungsroman genre to depict universal human experiences.

Harwood utilizes violent and visual imagery in portraying the child murdering the owl to emphasise the loss of innocence. Also the phrase, “for what I have begun” suggests that the child has lost their innocence and father’s trust. The loss of innocence most certainly represents universal human experiences. Furthermore, Harper Lee displays the maturation in Scout from the beginning of the book to the end. At the beginning of the novel, scout is immature and rude.

This is shown as scout fights Walter Cunningham for the reason of “not having his lunch”. When Scout says, “Who in this town did anything to help Tom Robinson, just who? ” she shows signs of maturation in her ability to understand the issue of racism. Towards the end of the novel, though Scout is still a child, her perspectives on life develop onto a near grown up and this replicates the experiences faced by all humans. Gwen Harwood’s Father and Child also shows maturation of the persona through the changes in relationships with her father.

With many allusions of nature, Harwood constructs a dynamic backdrop which allow you to realise the subtle shifts in the child’s personality. The theme of maturation is one which is presented in the bildungsroman genre to reflect on universal human experiences. As we can gather from the texts; To kill a Mockingbird and Father and Child, the use of bildungsroman genre appeals in its ability to capture universal human experiences. The themes of loss of innocence and maturation depict the universal human experiences in the two texts and reflect on this statement.

A songbird’s melody can evoke happiness in anyone, as can the smiling face of a child. The mockingbird sings for the sake of singing, and an innocent child possesses an inborn joyfulness, as natural as instinct. Yet a mockingbird’s song dies as easily as the innocence of a child. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem are portrayed as innocents, uncorrupted by our world of prejudice and racism. Their world is simple, sensible, a child’s world.

However, three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus, are consumed by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. By the end of the novel, their world has expanded to enclose the irrational nature of humans. Jem and Scout’s growing up is portrayed by a series of events that shatters their innocence as easily as a mockingbird can be silenced.

Lee uses a combination of insignificant and profound events: the trial of Tom Robinson, Walter Cunningham, and their relationship with Boo Radley to develop and display the children’s growth in maturity. One of the first cracks in Scout’s armour of naivete occurs due to the fact that she speaks her mind. On Scout’s first day of school Scout tries to explain to her teacher that she is embarrassing Walter Cunningham by offering him something that he will not be able to pay back. Scout realizes that because her teacher is not a local, she will not know that about the Cunningham’s, but Scout’s explanation gets her into trouble.

When Scout explains “Walter’s one of the Cunningham’s,” (26), she was not trying to be insulting, but Miss Caroline mistakes her frank and innocent explanation as arrogance or rudeness and punishes her for it. Scout’s perception of the world and her classmates is not yet marred by the social divisions that adults see. When Scout has Walter over for a meal Scout really does insult Walter this time as she questions the way he eats by saying “But he’s gone and drowned his dinner in syrup” (32) and makes him feel self-conscious.

She is not doing it intentionally, she is just curious because she has never seen people who eat that way. She is too young to understand the social graces of Southern hospitality that dictate that you are always to make people feel at home and welcome no matter how unusual their habits may be. Scout and Jem are surrounded by racism and prejudice as children, but until they mature , they do not see it for what it is, until something enormously, obviously wrong occurs close to home. At first Scout does not understand what is wrong and keeps asking Jem questions about what is happening.

While Atticus is asking questions directed to Mayella, “Slowly but surely [she] could see the pattern of Atticus’ questions” (244). Although this shows that Scout’s understanding about her father has improved, she is still oblivious to the deeper meaning of the trial. While Jem is explaining to Dill, Scout “supposes” it is “the finer points of the trial” (252). With Jem being able to do this, this proves that Jem has matured greatly since the beginning. But what surprised Scout and blew Jem away was the obvious unfairness of the verdict.

When Jem states “You just can’t convict a man on evidence like that,” proves that Jem realizes the injustice that Tom Robinson faced (295). Atticus has shielded Scout and her brother from any outward prejudice against blacks. However, even he could not keep out the thought that coloured were not quite the same. Racism has been so deeply ingrained that Scout didn’t realize its intensity and results until that tragedy opened her eyes. As a result, racism and its effects entered the ever-expanding world of the Finch children.

Because of the perspective of childhood innocence, Boo Radley is given no identity apart from the youthful superstitions that surround him, and it is these superstitions that leave Jem and Scout oblivious to the fact that Boo just wants to protect them. Scout at first describes Boo as a “malevolent phantom,” (10) while Jem illustrates him as a “six-and-a-half feet tall” man that “dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch” (16). With these expressions they demonstrated how innocent the children are.

After the children have found gifts inside a knot hole in a tree, their father finds out about their “game”. When Atticus witnesses his children leaving a note in the hole, he believes his children are causing harm so he tells them to “stop tormenting the man” (65). When Atticus says, “You just told me,” Jem did not realize that without actually saying that they were playing the Boo Radley game he still admitted to his father that that is what they were doing. Originally portrayed as a freak and a lunatic, Boo Radley continues to gain the sympathy of the children.

When Nathan Radley closes the hole, Scout sees it as no more gifts, but Jem takes it more to heart. Nathan Radley claims that the “tree’s dying” (83) so Jem asks his father where he says that the tree is fine. When Jem realizes that Nathan had just cut off their connection, he was “crying,” (84). It is when Scout and Jem need saving that Scout understands that Boo was just merely looking out for them. While saying “Hey Boo” in person, this shows how mature Scout has gotten during the three years (362).

Scout losses her innocence when she realizes that Boo Radley has given so much to them- gifts in the tree, a warm blanket on a cold night, folded up pants on a fence and their LIVES, but they have never repaid him. As if they were the harmless songbirds, the children’s innocence is shattered by these events. Through their interactions with Walter, Tom’s trial and Boo Radley social prejudice, racism, mobs, and “social exceptions” are now a part of their world. The naivete and purity have been replaced by the knowledge of human nature and the corruption of our world. The world is no longer simple, and the mockingbird is dead.

What Has To Kill a Mockingbird Taught You about Prejudice and Justice? After reading this book I had a great knowledge of prejudice and justice in the Deep South in the 1930s. In 1861 – 1865 war was on. Parliament abolished slavery in America in 1865 but the south needed slaves for their trade. So they carried on mistreating blacks, disobeying the law. After the war (with the North winning) blacks were still treated with injustice and inequality. The blacks still had bad jobs and most of them worked for the whites for instance a cleaner or maid. When Tom Robinson was on trial in the court there were no black people in the jury.

The black people who wanted to watch the trial had to sit on the upper tier where there were limited seats so most of them stood. ”Your fathers no better than the niggers and trash he works for” Miss Dubose told Jem. This is an extremely racist and somewhat unnecessary comment for Miss Dubose to make. This implies that Atticus is worse than, in her opinion, the blacks and other lower class of the town. Whites treated blacks like dirt and looked down on them whenever they would pass them in the street. There was a clear social hierarchy in Maycomb; the whites viewed themselves significantly higher than the blacks.

All of Tom Robinson’s evidence in the court case showed that he was not guilty but because he was black the jury sentenced him to prison. Judge Taylor did not want to sentence Tom Robinson but the majority of the jury agreed on him being guilty. They all thought that just because he was black he lied and was cruel to people. Aunt Alexandra had a somewhat haughty attitude towards things like this. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra had very different views on the way of life and the way people should live. For instance they both had very different perceptions on the word trashy.

Atticus uses the word trashy to describe a stuck-up white man being racist towards a black man but Aunt Alexandra uses it to describe Walter Cunningham and his family. The clear distinction between these two very different uses of the word is that Atticus uses it to describe people who are generally ignorant but Alexandra uses it to describe people of the lower class who are dirty. This reveals that the whole way through the story Alexandra sticks to her views and not even after Tom Robinson’s court case does she change her mind. In a way Atticus does the same thing and throughout the novel fights to uphold justice.

Atticus is the only white man apart from Judge Taylor who is not racist or prejudice towards the blacks. In the middle of the novel when Tom Robinson is in jail, Atticus guards him himself all night and when Mr Cunningham and a group of other men ambush him all Atticus does is try to keep the peace. Miss Dubose constantly has a moan about Atticus and what he stands for and Atticus completely ignores it and is extremely polite to her. He is an extremely kind and gentle man who is loyal to Tom Robinson. At the start of the novel Scout is incredibly naive, angry and violent.

She also has no respect for other people like Walter Cunnigham. Scout finds it odd and strange that Walter Cunningham pours syrup all over his meal and she isn’t afraid to express her opinion vocally. This upsets not only Walter but Calpurnia as well and Scout gets a good telling off from her. This shows that Scout is not only disrespectful and rude but can also be slightly snobby. When she first heard of Boo Radley she pictured him peculiar looking and was awfully scared of him. Then when Boo started leaving gifts in a tree for Jem and Scout she thought that he could maybe be alright and not creepy like she thought.

Then towards the end when Boo kills Bob Ewell to defend the children, Scout realises that he is a kind and not at all freaky. In fact she takes him by the hand and talks to him with high regard. These series of extremely shocking events changes Scouts character throughout the story. To Kill a Mockingbird has taught me a great deal about Prejudice and Justice. I have especially learned about Justice from the way that Atticus acted ,the way that Scout changed but most of all Tom Robinson and the people involved in the court case.

9/12/2012 American Studies II Comparing and Contrasting: To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn In the books, The Adventures Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird, the authors demonstrate several themes: the coexistence of good and evil, the importance of moral education, the existence of social inequality, racism and slavery, intellectual and moral education, and the hypocrisy of “civilized” society.

The common themes throughout the two books depict; that although the settings are nearly a century apart, society has not changed as drastically as believed. Racism, a main theme throughout both books reveals itself in many ways. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place during the 1830’s – 1840’s, in Missouri, a slave state. During this time period, slavery was a controversial issue; and amongst the main causes for the civil war. In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck learns to bond with a slave, Jim. Throughout the course of the novel, Jim and Huck become close friends and he realizes that he cares for him.

Huck disregards most common opinions throughout society, he is associated with this slave who is supposedly ‘less than human. ’ Jim, the slave, is an intellectual human being despite the fact that he is treated as a lesser life form. Whereas, in to Kill a Mockingbird, racism is illustrated in depth through a trial in which a negro man is accused of a rape, to which he is thoroughly proved his innocence. Despite the evidence agreeing with the defendant, the racist jury simply convicts the defendant “guilty”. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression in Alabama.

A former slave state, and a southern state, the town of Maycomb was swarmed with racist and prejudice people. “The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it – whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash. (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird p295) We are all born innocent, and then we are exposed to the evils of the world. Progressively, we begin to conform to fit society’s measures. We do good things, and we do bad things. We are only human. Throughout these books, exists a coexistence of good and evil. People may have good intentions for some things, and feel quite differently in others. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the book displays the change Jem and Scout Finch make from their childhood innocence. From the beginning of the novel, the characters develop in many ways; mentally and physically.

They have been raised by the ideal moral backbone, their father, Atticus. Despite the fact, they are not always prepared to see the world’s evils right before their eyes. During the course of the trial, Jem and Scout watch closely anticipating the result and hoping for the best. Yet, when they see the truth and the racism of the town before their eyes, they don’t know how to handle it. Jem has lost faith in humanity, and feels hopeless. Yet, Scout manages to see that people can be both good and bad. In humanity, good and evil coexists. “When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them. ” He turned out the light and went into Jem’s room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning. ” (Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, p284) As the story progresses, Scout starts to see things in a new way. Her perspective starts to change and she is able to see people for who they are and who they aren’t. Scout sees human evil, but she also realizes that people aren’t perfect and make mistakes.

Scout sees that there is good in people, and that there is also bad in people. Despite the fact that she is a lot younger, she grasps the situation better than her older brother who seems to fall apart at the concept of human evil. The Mockingbird had become something symbolic in the story. The mockingbird represents innocence and portrays itself through several different characters in the story; such as Scout Finch or Boo Radley. Despite their innocence however, they can be injured with their contact with evil. In the story, it’s explained how Boo Radley’s innocence is tainted because of his abusive father.

Thus the extended metaphor or symbolism would explain that killing a mockingbird is tainting innocence. When Scout inquires her, Miss Maudie explains, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. ” This also links the connection of Scout and Jem both having the last name finch, which is another name for a particularly small (and also harmless) bird. In Huckleberry Finn, Huck comes from the lower levels of white society, having a father who is a drunk who disappears constantly.

Widow Douglas adopts him and attempts to reform him, although she has difficulties. Huck does not accept the ways of society, and often tells Widow that he would rather go live in hell for a change of scenery. The Widow tries to teach him how to read and tries to make him religious. Although the Widow’s efforts do finally teach Huck how to read, he is still skeptical of the world around him. He does not agree with rules, and feels like he should create his own. Life is an adventure filled with new things and new ways to do them. To the world, Huck is but an infant crawling and learning how to take his first own steps.

Huck realizes his friendship with Jim has made him content, and that the outside world is harsh. Every time Huck and Jim find themselves on land, they see the world for what it is and it’s cons and tricks. They see the lies that people weave, the hatred, the conflicts. When Huck and Jim are together on the raft, they feel like they escape from the world and its problems. Everything seems to float away and they can enjoy the simple pleasures. They choose to isolate themselves and feel as if they are living an idealistic dream or are a part of a Utopian society.

They do not need much to be satisfied, just a few basic needs and to be away from the hypocritical society. “I hadn’t had a bite to eat since yesterday, so Jim he got out some corn-dodgers and buttermilk, and pork and cabbage and greens—there ain’t nothing in the world so good when it’s cooked right—and whilst I eat my supper we talked and had a good time. . . .We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft. ”(Huckleberry Finn, page 119)

Everything is a learning experience for Huck, who is still youthful and very open minded. He comes to see how people in society interact and what their certain views on things are. He learns of how things can contradict each other or become hypocritical. Huck witnesses lots of lying and schemes, many of them by the duke and the dauphin. However, he also pulls a few white lies of his own. Trying to save Jim and himself, he cons a few people. It’s then that he realizes that telling a lie, dependent upon the situation can actually be a good thing.

This demonstrates the thin line between the right and wrong of things and how society uses them. “But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before. ” (Huckleberry Finn, page 190) Huck realizes that although he has come to like Aunt Sally, she is a part of society that he chooses to be left out of. He feels comfort in being a recluse, and does not want to integrate himself in the society he disagrees with. Religion, and the supposedly “correct morals” that he would be forced upon don’t interest him.

He also feels that he could get a better education from his own experience than from what he is being taught and forced. Huck feels ready to accept the challenge of his own life and take his own responsibility. So when Aunt Sally wishes to adopt him, he chooses to hit the road and set off on his own adventures. Throughout the novels, both Huck and Scout have this sense of independence and free thinking to them. Despite their obvious differences in upbringing, they share at the root the same thinking. They believe in independence and seeing for themselves what life is like.

They do not want to believe in what “all adults” think is correct and force them to believe. They are both young and innocent and want to determine what is right and wrong in the world by themselves. Scout, is a little more guided with the help of Atticus; however she still makes many decisions by herself on her views of people. She is able to truly open her eyes and see what the world is made of. In conclusion, though Huck takes different approaches on his life and sets off on his own completely new adventures, he isn’t that different from Scout. They both have their own opinions which differ drastically from the rest of the society.

Courage is shown within the characters of To Kill A Mockingbird in several situations. The characters are challenged to face danger or pain without fear. The courage they display gives them strength and deepens their self-understanding as the novel progresses. Early in the novel, Scout illustrates the courage she demonstrates. On her first day of school, Scout acts as an advocate for the entire class. She takes the duty of informing Miss. Caroline of Walter Cunningham’s situation. Miss. Caroline had just scolded Scout for her ability to read, however, Scout still feels the classes need for leadership.

Most children at her age would fear speaking to the teacher is such a fearless fashion. Walter Cunningham, himself, was shy and fearful of speaking to the teacher. Scout overcame the fears that haunted the remainder of the class, and acted out of Walters best interest. Her courage spoke in Walters absence, and inability to express his situation. A good representation of courage is seen within Atticus. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus speaks of the Tom Robinson trial as a trial all lawyers fear. He must face a court case that will have a deep personal effect upon himself and his family.

Atticus calls the courage to recognize that there is a need for justice, and that it is his duty to achieve this. Maycomb is a town corrupted with stereotypes and racism. Atticus has the courage to overcome the fear of other peoples dislikes. He must face the fear of weakening the lives of his two young children and family name. The courage Atticus shows comes from his pleasing character. Atticus is devoted and unable to turn his back on those who truly rely upon his ability to show empathy. He overcomes the heartless comments of those around them, to see the necessity of his involvement.

Courage within Atticus is not only in his professional life, but also shown in his family life. It is hard for Atticus to raise his children without a wife, and to face the constant family ridicule. At one point, I was convinced Atticus had lost his courage, and had broken down to Aunt Alexandra’s opinions. However, as the scene progresses, I saw the courage of Atticus and his decision to withdraw the false statements made to his children. A single father, he does not look to others to gather his parenting skills. Atticus has the courage to do what is morally right, and to allow Scout and Jem to be themselves.

The largest example of courage is displayed within the life of Mrs. Dubose. She was a sick, old woman, waiting for death . However, she had one more goal to achieve before her life came to an end. She wished to free herself of a morphine addiction. Mrs. Dubose displayed courage in a situation where most people would just surrender to the drug. She was also courageous in the secrecy in how she covered up her addiction in. No one was aware that the drug caused her to be mean. She chose not to burden anyone with her problems. Mrs.

Dubose did not fear death, but challenged death through her perseverance to leave this world free of addiction. It was only after Mrs. Dubose’s passing did the people she affected become aware of her courage. She surprised those around her, who found it far too easy to pass her off as a sick, old lady. She remained strong in spirit and belief. Throughout the novel, Atticus defines courage as ” instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. ” (112).

Within all the examples of courage there is not a situation when the courage did not stem from a need within the character. Courage is the inner desire to succeed and to do what is righteous, no matter what humiliation or consequences that haunt you because of your decision. Scout, Atticus, and Mrs. Dubose understood the risks they faced, but continued with their actions because it was moral. They didn’t all enter their personal situation expecting to win. Scout still faced further scolding from Miss. Caroline. There were winners and losers but they do not regret the courage they showed for the sake of good intentions.

Kiah Lyons Mrs. Farrands Honors English II 30 October 2012 As children, we are taught simply that something whether it is a person, object, or belief is simply good or bad. We can classify or identify what is good or bad using three sources. Typically our beliefs are primarily based on what our household says. Society also has a large role in our views as well. If something is illegal, outlawed, or even frowned upon by society it is considered bad. However, saying something is acceptable or not acceptable is something completely different from what our actions say. Many parents use the saying: Do as I say, not as I do.

Sometimes we know something goes against what is right or against or morals but we do it regardless. Scout sees that in most instances; what those in her household tell her, what society tells her, and what her family and society does do not all coincide. This is evident when analyzing two main topics of the book which are race and Boo Radley. Atticus always tells Scout and Jem the importance of treating colored people equally if not better. While talking to Mr. Raymond, Scout tells him that Atticus told her “cheatin’ a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man, Says it’s the worst thing you can do” (Lee 205).

While defending Tom Robinson, Atticus told the court: “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” showing his strong belief of equality among all men no matter what their skin color may be (Lee 208). Even though Atticus strongly believes in the quote from Thomas Jefferson that “All men are created equal”, Aunt Alexandra tended to have a different perspective regarding colored men and women (Lee 208).

This is strongly evident in the way she treats and talks about Calpurnia. When Aunt Alexandra first arrived, instead of a cordial greeting she tells Calpurnia right away “Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia” which shows that Aunt Alexandra views Calpurnia of a different class and has no respect for her. Aunt Alexandra disapproved of practically everything that Calpurnia did, and if it could be avoided, she did not want Scout and Jem spending any extra time with her. Although Scout looks forward to going to Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra is not fond of the idea, and actually encourages Atticus to fire Cal.

She believes Cal is not a good role mole which leads her to tell Atticus to “face it sooner or later […] We don’t need her now” (Lee 138). Aunt Alexandra felt that just because Calpurnia was black, she was not suited as a mother figure, and allowed her assumptions about blacks affect her view of Calpurnia. Throughout the summer, Jem, Scout, and Dill love to reenact Boo Radley’s life and play games which include messing with the house, which Atticus does not approve of. When he caught the kids he told them that “what Mr. Radley did was his own business. If he wanted to come out, he would” (Lee 50).

Although the rest of his family may not have the same beliefs as Atticus, he takes highly his standards and morals of treating men of all types and colors with respect and equality. It is clear that Maycomb’s society does not agree with Atticus defending Tom Robinson. Scout does not realize that she would face this opposition until a few members of Maycomb make remarks about Atticus to her, not having the guts to say anything to Atticus’ face. In school, Scout faces her first opposition from Cecil Jacobs when he says: “Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers” (Lee 77).

Even some of her family disapproves of Atticus defending Tom. Francis, only repeating what his grandmother says, tells Scout that Atticus “is a nigger-lover” and “we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin’ the family”, which of course leads to Scout punching Francis (Lee 85-87). Passing by Mrs. Dubose, Scout and Jem get more of the usual harassment when she says makes a condescending remark about a Finch “in the courthouse lawing for niggers” and that Atticus is “no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 105).

As for Boo Radley, most everyone in Maycomb has a different story for Boo Radley and why he stays at home all day. Stephanie Crawford even claims “she woke up in the middle of the night one time and saw him looking straight through the window at her” (Lee 13). Jem said that Boo “dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, […] his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time”, obviously a tale but no one said anything different. (Lee 13). It would be easy for Scout to fall in line with what the majority of what people think so that she would be accepted.

The characters’ actions throughout the book show if they actually live by what they preach. For example, Atticus knows that he will face disapproval defending Tom Robinson. He tells Jack that “reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up” (Lee 91). Knowing that he cannot go against what he believes, he defends Tom despite the opposition. He also defends Calpurnia when Aunt Alexandra talks negatively about her saying “Calpurnia is not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years.

She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are” later adding “She tried to bring them up according to her lights, and Cal’s lights are pretty good ? and another thing, the children love her” (Lee 138). Atticus could have easily taken his sister’s side, but he really appreciates everything that Cal has done for his family. Society believes that black people are of a lesser class which is the focal point of the Tom Robinson case. Even though Tom had more evidence to prove him innocent than the plaintiff had to prove him guilty, his race was what ultimately convicted Tom.

Atticus makes the statement in front of the court that the “case is not a difficult one […] It should have never come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 207). Regarding Boo Radley, no one attempts to make an effort to stand up against the unruly rumors such as that Boo “ went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. ” and the “Radley pecans would kill you” (Lee 9). It was more important to have a good story, than to have the not-so lively truth.

Their actions showed their true beliefs. We can be molded into good people by taking the good and bad from each source, or we can be brainwashed into one source. Each source has their pros and cons, which is why it is important to take what people say with a grain of salt, before immediately adapting their views. Regardless, we can all learn things from our household’s beliefs, what society says, and what peoples’ actions say. As we grow as a people and we gain experience, we gain a better understanding of what is good and bad, right and wrong.

Throughout the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee presented many examples to the reader regarding honour and loyalty. Harper developed the traits of honour and loyalty through her portrayal of the characters; Atticus Finch, Arthur “Boo” Radley, and Calpurnia. Atticus Finch was a distinguished symbol of honour and loyalty. He was a man who honoured his well-kept reputation in the town of Macomb and stayed loyal to the people close to him. One example of Atticus’ honourable character was when Bob Ewell committed the fallacious act of spitting in his face. Atticus kept full composure, and walked away, instead of fighting with Bob.

This showed how Atticus did not want his reputation in Macomb to diminish. He explained to Jem that he had “destroyed his (Bob Ewells’) last shred of credibility at that trial” (Harper Lee, 1960, p. 218). He also explained to Jem how “spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating” (Harper Lee, 1960, p. 218) . This demonstrated honour in Atticus as he cared for Mayella, putting aside how harshly she had treated Atticus and Tom Robinson in the past. Loyalty was displayed when Atticus made the vital decision to take on the Tom Robinson case.

He fully defended Tom no matter what others would say. Atticus took the case for another reason; he believed in equality and thought that black and white people were to be treated equally. Atticus honoured Ms. Dubose and showed respect by speaking kindly of her all the time. Although the children told Atticus how she treated them, he still greeted Ms. Dubose; “good evening Ms. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening. ” (Harper Lee, 1960, P. 109). It took great honour for Atticus to be this respectful towards Ms. Dubose, considering how disrespectfully she treated Jem and Scout.

Another character who showed honour and loyalty in “To a Kill a Mockingbird” was Arthur “Boo” Radley. During the initial stages of the novel, Boo kept leaving little things in the tree for the children to take. He was acting honourable and trying to befriend them, as they acted seemed of him. Additionally, Boo put a blanket around Scout during the fire. At first, Scout thought it was Jem who had put the blanket around her, but when she found out it was Boo, she was surprised, and started to think differently of him. Jem told Scout that she was “so busy looking at the fire, she didn’t now it when he put the blanket around her” (Harper Lee, 1960, p. 72). Arthur Radley was honourable towards the Finch family by killing Bob Ewell. Bob had caused many problems for the Finch family, and was the cause of Tom Robinson’s death, which followed after the court case. His actions proved as justice for the Tom Robinson Case, as well as for the assault on the children (which left Jem with a broken arm). Lastly, Calpurnia was also a significant character in this novel who illustrated honour and loyalty. She took Jem and Scout to an African American church.

The children were not welcomed warmly. Calpurnia stayed loyal to the children, and fully defended them when everyone else wanted them out. A woman from the church was displeased with the fact that Calpurnia had brought these children to their church. Immediately, Calpurnia backed the children, saying that there was absolutely no difference between white or black people, so the children were to have every right to stay in the church. As a “mother figure”, Calpurnia was a very good influence on both of the children, she taught them how to be honourable to people, and to respect others.

When Walter Cunningham went over to the Finch’s for supper, Scout made a comment on the way Walter was pouring syrup all over his dinner. Calpurnia took Scout straight to the kitchen and told her that “Yo‘ folks might be better’n the Cunningham’s but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin‘ ’em” (Harper Lee, 1960, p. 31). After the stern vituperation, Scout went back to the table and was more respectful towards Walter. Calpurnia had also worked with the Finch family for much of her life, which showed her loyalty for them, and the respect she had gained from Atticus.

After Calpurnia was told to leave the Finch home, Atticus strongly defended her by telling Alexandra that she was a “faithful member of the family and she’d (Alexandra) would have to accept things the way they were. ” (Harper Lee, 1960, p. 147) In conclusion, Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Calpurnia were three significant characters who clearly demonstrated honour and loyalty throughout “How to Kill a Mockingbird”. They also played important roles in helping the children to become loyal and honourable.