macbeth and mockingbird essay

Throughout literature over the ages,the battle of good versus evil is a recurring theme. In a famous quote, it is said that “In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers.” This quote embodies several texts throughout history, such as William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. In these two pieces of literature, the quote is proven true through different means. In Macbeth, evil is motivated by ambition, while in To Kill a Mockingbird, it is motivated by ignorance and prejudice. In these two novels, evil is temporarily triumphant, yet it never completely conquers. Throughout Macbeth, Macbeth is driven by a need to succeed and, although he does temporarily succeed, it leads to his imminent demise.When Macbeth hears the witches’ prophesies, his ambition takes over his moral judgement. Prompted by his wife, Macbeth kills Duncan. In this instance, evil temporarily triumphs because, as the prophecy foretold, Macbeth becomes king. In order to maintain his power, Macbeth has Banquo killed, and even goes as far as to have Macduff’s entire family slaughtered. In another meeting with the witches Macbeth is reassured that he will be king forever because it has been said that he can not die from a man born of a woman,and, therefore, he concludes that he will keep the crown. At this point, it appears that through his evil, Macbeth has conquered, however, at the end of the play, we realize that this is untrue. In the end, Macduff killed Macbeth due to a “loophole” and Malcolm becomes king. Though for a majority of the play Macbeth appears to triumph, he loses everything in the end and is conquered. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell, who is motivated by ignorance and prejudice represents evil. On the contrary, Atticus Finch symbolizes morality and integrity. When Mayella Ewell accuses Tom Robinson, a black man, of rape,he is assumed guilty due to prejudice. Atticus is the only man willing to defend Tom in court. Since he is a lawyer, Atticus does an excellent job of defending Tom and there is no doubt that he is innocent. However due to racial bigotry, the verdict is that Tom is guilty on all charges.. The ignorant and prejudiced, have thus far have triumphed over integrity and honesty. The quote is further portrayed when Bob Ewell attacks Atticus’ children, Scout and Jem, and he is killed by the timid Boo Radley. The evil which triumphed previously has now been conquered. The quote is also relevant to Atticus as a character. Atticus acts as a role model and moral teacher for his children by giving them advice about life. He wants them to realize that in every person there is both good and evil. Atticus wants his children to believe that in the end, the good in this world outweigh the evil and, in the end, evil will never conquer. In both Macbeth and To Kill a Mockingbird, there is a struggle between evil and morality. Throughout these works, evil is often temporarily triumphant, yet never conquers in the end. The quote “In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers” is prevalent throughout these novels and many others.