To Kill A Mockingbird Discrimination Analysis
Why do we discriminate? Why is it a timeless issue? Discrimination comes in many forms. What must an individual do to end it? To end discrimination an individual must have the courage to fight this injustice. Scout and Skeeter are both not afraid to follow their own internal compasses and self morals. In the novel written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, takes place in the 1930’s in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. In this time period both women and African Americans fought for equality. These issues were still prominent in the time period of Tate Taylor's film, The Help. The time period of this film is 1963 Jackson, Mississippi. Both of the main characters face similar discrimination dilemmas and must find their own ways to stand
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When Calpurnia, Jem and Scout are walking home, Jem suggests that they should raise the money to buy the First Purchase some hymn-books. Calpernia laughs and replies that it would not do any good because most of the members can not read. Scout exclaimed “Can’t read”, “All those colored folks?” (Lee, 165). Scout has grown up in the safety and protection of Macomb, never having to worry about literacy discrimination. Scout’s moral belief is that everyone has the right to a basic education, and is confused why all of the people in her community are not given the opportunity to learn to read. Scout’s confusion stems from how she is raised. Calpernia was one of the fortunate few colored members of her community to learn how to read and speak like the white population of Macomb. Similarly, in the scene when Jem, Scout, and Dill when sneaking onto the Radley property to get a quick look at Boo Radley through the broken shutters, Scout questions their motives and whether the plan was a good idea. Jem replies, “Scout, I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home- I declare to the lord you’re acting more like a girl everyday!” (69). In the 1930’s, Women were expected to be extremely feminine and fragile. Women were to be easily scared and incompetent. This feministic perception was woven into their societal norms and everyday lives. Scout’s immediate reaction was to deny what Jem was insinuating. The moral belief behind her sudden remark were that she should not be limited to a stereotypical gender sphere. It was also based on the idea that doing what is right did not make her a “girl”. She is confused because Atticus lets her act like herself and shields her with his reassurance against sexist comments on how she is dressed and behaves. In the novel, Scout handles discrimination different then Skeeter because she is confused by people's motives behind their
When Calpurnia, Jem and Scout are walking home, Jem suggests that they should raise the money to buy the First Purchase some hymn-books. Calpernia laughs and replies that it would not do any good because most of the members can not read. Scout exclaimed “Can’t read”, “All those colored folks?” (Lee, 165). Scout has grown up in the safety and protection of Macomb, never having to worry about literacy discrimination. Scout’s moral belief is that everyone has the right to a basic education, and is confused why all of the people in her community are not given the opportunity to learn to read. Scout’s confusion stems from how she is raised. Calpernia was one of the fortunate few colored members of her community to learn how to read and speak like the white population of Macomb. Similarly, in the scene when Jem, Scout, and Dill when sneaking onto the Radley property to get a quick look at Boo Radley through the broken shutters, Scout questions their motives and whether the plan was a good idea. Jem replies, “Scout, I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home- I declare to the lord you’re acting more like a girl everyday!” (69). In the 1930’s, Women were expected to be extremely feminine and fragile. Women were to be easily scared and incompetent. This feministic perception was woven into their societal norms and everyday lives. Scout’s immediate reaction was to deny what Jem was insinuating. The moral belief behind her sudden remark were that she should not be limited to a stereotypical gender sphere. It was also based on the idea that doing what is right did not make her a “girl”. She is confused because Atticus lets her act like herself and shields her with his reassurance against sexist comments on how she is dressed and behaves. In the novel, Scout handles discrimination different then Skeeter because she is confused by people's motives behind their