Character Analysis: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Analyse how a significant event illustrated one or more key theme(s) in the written text.

A significant event in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM) by Harper Lee is the Tom Robinson trial. TKAM is a novel set in the time of the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama. This significant event illustrates the key theme of courage through the character Atticus Finch. Atticus shows moral courage the contrast of Bob Ewell and Atticus during the confrontation after the trial. The author Harper Lee through the trail illustrates the key theme of courage to the reader and shows courage in different situations. Lee emphasises that moral courage is much harder to obtain than physical courage.
Through the setting of the story I understand that Atticus’ decision to defend a black man and take a black man’s word over a white man’s was a noble and courageous thing to do. Set in the 1930’s in the Deep South Alabama it was deeply segregated. Racism against blacks was common and legal. Laws such as the Jim Crow laws were put into place to segregate black people from white people in public facilities. It was known that the white race was superior to the black race; the Maycomb community had stereotypical views on blacks labelling them as dirty liars. Despite this Atticus chose to ignore the community’s idea of the black race and follow his own which was to properly defend his client to the best of his ability no matter his colour or position. As a result of Atticus’ decision many people in the community looked down on Atticus and belittle his dignity. An example is Mrs Dubose saying to Jem “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for”. Despite this Atticus carried on believing that it is wrong to cheat a black man as it is inhumane and goes against the basic human rights that people are entitled to. In doing this Atticus shows courage in the form of fighting evil and prejudice in his community and having the moral courage to go against the expectations of others. As a reader I see Atticus as a strong willed character with strong moral values. He out of
At the trial Atticus questions Bob’s position as a father and as a member of the community. Bob Ewell, upset by the fact that Atticus would question his story and give his loyalty to a black man confronts Atticus. Abusing Atticus calling him “niggerlover”, he spits in his face. In response to Bob’s abuse Atticus shows inner and mental courage by choosing to walk away. He tells Jem, “Jem, see if you stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes for a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does, so if spitting in my face and threatening me saves Mayella one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take”. The writer wanted the reader to understand the importance of inner courage; it is more then just deciding not to retaliate. It is also about understanding the attacker and accepting why that feel that way. It is hard to walk away from a fight; it is hard to not get the last word because you feel you haven’t won the battle. But the writer wants the reader to see that when you walk away, you are the bigger person and show more courage then the person that attacked you. This makes me think about non violent protest from India and the black civil rights movement. Mahatma Ghandi led India to its independence from the British colony