Essay On Harper Lee's Use Of Emotions In To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s effective use of descriptions and emotions through the viewpoint of an innocent child coerce the reader to pity Tom Robinson likewise the characters, and, when modern ideals and liberties are juxtaposed with those in the novel, a clash of values is created, shocking the reader. Throughout the novel, the reader sees the public treatment of not only Tom Robinson, but other blacks as well. For example, blacks and whites were segregated, which is shown when Lula said that Jem and Scout should not be attending “nigger church;” it is also shown that blacks tended to not be as educated as whites, as shown when Scout called Calpurnia’s diction “nigger-talk.” Tom Robinson also received this racist treatment, which is demonstrated during the trial when Mayella Ewell recounted her referring to him as “nigger,”
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when Dill showed his discontent for Robinson being called “boy,” and when Scout said Robinson is “just” a “Negro.” The reader feels dissatisfaction like Dill because of the way Lee brutally portrays the unfair manner in which Tom Robinson is regarded and treated by the townspeople with racist terms and a denial of liberties institutionally and publicly. This indignation sears the injustice of Tom Robinson’s case into the reader’s brain, making it memorable and powerful. Harper Lee powerfully conveys the injustice of the case of Tom Robinson by provoking the reader to react emotionally to the public treatment of Robinson and inviting them to sympathize with the character. Before the trial, a mob of men attempted to attack Tom Robinson. Scout described these men as “sullen-looking” “strangers” who smelt of “stale whiskey” and one as a “shadow,” which makes the reader feel anxiety towards them because Lee portrays them as shady aggressors. This is further exemplified when Jem and Scout got involved, in which a “burly man” took hold of Jem “roughly.” It would appear that the motive of these men was to hurt or kill Tom Robinson; the reader can see this when Atticus assured Robinson that the men would not “bother” him anymore. This shows that the public was willing to harm Robinson because of a false accusation, maltreatment that infuriates the reader. During the trial, Bob Ewell referred to Tom Robinson as “that black nigger” and falsely accused Robinson of “ruttin’ on” Mayella Ewell. The reader could be insulted by Bob Ewell’s diction regardless of race, and the reader can see that the other characters were offended as well, as Judge Taylor “glanced sharply” at Ewell when he compared Mayella to a “stuck hog,” and again when Ewell said she was “screamin’ fit to beat Jesus.” Bob Ewell then exclaimed that Robinson lived in a “nigger-nest,” and says “[Tom Robinson and other blacks are] dangerous to live around” and they had been “devaluin’” his property. Bob Ewell’s eloquence and use of racist terms and exclamations cause the reader to condole with Tom Robinson, making the reader feel outraged by the injustice of Robinson’s case.
Harper Lee employs the opinions of the characters to influence the reader’s reaction toward and emotions for Tom Robinson’s death.
An example of a character pitying Tom Robinson is Mr. B. B. Underwood, who, when referring to Tom Robinson, claimed that it is a “sin to kill cripples” and said that Tom Robinson’s death was like “senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.” Scout comments that Atticus “had no case” for Tom Robinson because in the “secret courts of men’s hearts” prejudice against and presumptions about blacks overruled reason and apathy in the men of the court. Another example of characters influencing the reader’s reaction is when Atticus informed Scout and Calpurnia that Tom Robinson had been killed and the reader learns that Tom Robinson had a family. Lee included Robinson’s family to make him more human and relatable, creating a stronger bond between the character and the reader. This “bond” is what makes the situation so powerful; by learning of Robinson’s death, the reader feels like they learned that somebody familiar died. This incurs a more vigorous reaction from the reader and in turn makes the story especially
memorable.
when Dill showed his discontent for Robinson being called “boy,” and when Scout said Robinson is “just” a “Negro.” The reader feels dissatisfaction like Dill because of the way Lee brutally portrays the unfair manner in which Tom Robinson is regarded and treated by the townspeople with racist terms and a denial of liberties institutionally and publicly. This indignation sears the injustice of Tom Robinson’s case into the reader’s brain, making it memorable and powerful. Harper Lee powerfully conveys the injustice of the case of Tom Robinson by provoking the reader to react emotionally to the public treatment of Robinson and inviting them to sympathize with the character. Before the trial, a mob of men attempted to attack Tom Robinson. Scout described these men as “sullen-looking” “strangers” who smelt of “stale whiskey” and one as a “shadow,” which makes the reader feel anxiety towards them because Lee portrays them as shady aggressors. This is further exemplified when Jem and Scout got involved, in which a “burly man” took hold of Jem “roughly.” It would appear that the motive of these men was to hurt or kill Tom Robinson; the reader can see this when Atticus assured Robinson that the men would not “bother” him anymore. This shows that the public was willing to harm Robinson because of a false accusation, maltreatment that infuriates the reader. During the trial, Bob Ewell referred to Tom Robinson as “that black nigger” and falsely accused Robinson of “ruttin’ on” Mayella Ewell. The reader could be insulted by Bob Ewell’s diction regardless of race, and the reader can see that the other characters were offended as well, as Judge Taylor “glanced sharply” at Ewell when he compared Mayella to a “stuck hog,” and again when Ewell said she was “screamin’ fit to beat Jesus.” Bob Ewell then exclaimed that Robinson lived in a “nigger-nest,” and says “[Tom Robinson and other blacks are] dangerous to live around” and they had been “devaluin’” his property. Bob Ewell’s eloquence and use of racist terms and exclamations cause the reader to condole with Tom Robinson, making the reader feel outraged by the injustice of Robinson’s case.
Harper Lee employs the opinions of the characters to influence the reader’s reaction toward and emotions for Tom Robinson’s death.
An example of a character pitying Tom Robinson is Mr. B. B. Underwood, who, when referring to Tom Robinson, claimed that it is a “sin to kill cripples” and said that Tom Robinson’s death was like “senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.” Scout comments that Atticus “had no case” for Tom Robinson because in the “secret courts of men’s hearts” prejudice against and presumptions about blacks overruled reason and apathy in the men of the court. Another example of characters influencing the reader’s reaction is when Atticus informed Scout and Calpurnia that Tom Robinson had been killed and the reader learns that Tom Robinson had a family. Lee included Robinson’s family to make him more human and relatable, creating a stronger bond between the character and the reader. This “bond” is what makes the situation so powerful; by learning of Robinson’s death, the reader feels like they learned that somebody familiar died. This incurs a more vigorous reaction from the reader and in turn makes the story especially
memorable.