To Kill A Mockingbird Quote Analysis
The Word Must Remain
“He’s nothin’ but a nigger-lover!” is one of the many so called inappropriate texts from one of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The use of the ‘N’ word should remain in the book because it describes the setting of an important period of time, and shows mind set of racist characters. It is simply used for historical recognition and not as an insult. In the story, the use of the ‘N’ word is strictly for a historical reference to a period of time. When speaking with this style, it shows not only where this story takes place, (in the South), but also during what time. The use of the word shows that the setting occurs during the time when blacks and whites were being segregated. …show more content…
Some people believe that including the ‘N’ word in the text might be uncomfortable for certain students who dislike talking about the negative events in history. “It seems unrealistic to try and deny a racist past (and present). You can’t educate people by banning ideas-stupid as those ideas can be. Pretending something never happened doesn’t keep it from happening in the future.” (Stagger). Through this quote, Stagger shows that there is nothing to gain by hiding from the events of the past. It’s best to educate students and to rid them of any fear or discomfort rather than brushing them aside. “Nigger has to do with shame; nigger has to do with calling somebody something. Nigger is what made slavery possible.” (“60 Minutes: Huckleberry Finn and the N-word”). Radley believes that when taking out the ‘N’ word, it loses its reality. The word is meant to help relive a part of our history that we have successfully overcome. By including the ‘N’ word in specific dialogue, you are showing the mind set of racist characters.
Doing so does not act as an insult due to the fact that this was an important part of the culture and language of those times. Many people find this word to be a sort of curse word and completely inappropriate for classroom discussion. However, “This book is about racism. These people, the racists, are barely human, and as proven by the end of the book, don’t deserve the consideration commonly given to civilized people.” (Stagger). This quote shows that although the racist language is included in the text, it does not say it is okay to use such verbal indiscretion. “The word is not hurtful. How it is used is hurtful, the person who is saying it is hurtful.” (“60 Minutes: Huckleberry Finn and the N-word”). Radley explains that the people of today have transformed the word and have made the word more powerful than it is. The way you say it, the tone of voice, and the context of the sentence all adds more to the simple meaning of the harmless ‘N’ word. The ‘N’ word must remain in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, because removing it will not only take away the reality of the word, but also escapes the history behind it and all of our centuries of accomplishment. The ‘N’ word’s purpose is to take the reader back in time; to add to the setting of the story and to give a greater mind set to those racist characters. The word is not to be used as an insult, for it is the way in which
you use it that determines its meaning. Do not let the use of the word today change its meaning from its use in the past.
Works Cited
“60 Minutes: “Huckleberry Finn” and the N-word”. March 20, 2011. Video.
Stagger. “Politically Incorrect Books. Use of the word NIGGER (et al) in literature”. Staggering Along On The Internet. http://www.stagger.net/books/nword.htm. Web.
“He’s nothin’ but a nigger-lover!” is one of the many so called inappropriate texts from one of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The use of the ‘N’ word should remain in the book because it describes the setting of an important period of time, and shows mind set of racist characters. It is simply used for historical recognition and not as an insult. In the story, the use of the ‘N’ word is strictly for a historical reference to a period of time. When speaking with this style, it shows not only where this story takes place, (in the South), but also during what time. The use of the word shows that the setting occurs during the time when blacks and whites were being segregated. …show more content…
Some people believe that including the ‘N’ word in the text might be uncomfortable for certain students who dislike talking about the negative events in history. “It seems unrealistic to try and deny a racist past (and present). You can’t educate people by banning ideas-stupid as those ideas can be. Pretending something never happened doesn’t keep it from happening in the future.” (Stagger). Through this quote, Stagger shows that there is nothing to gain by hiding from the events of the past. It’s best to educate students and to rid them of any fear or discomfort rather than brushing them aside. “Nigger has to do with shame; nigger has to do with calling somebody something. Nigger is what made slavery possible.” (“60 Minutes: Huckleberry Finn and the N-word”). Radley believes that when taking out the ‘N’ word, it loses its reality. The word is meant to help relive a part of our history that we have successfully overcome. By including the ‘N’ word in specific dialogue, you are showing the mind set of racist characters.
Doing so does not act as an insult due to the fact that this was an important part of the culture and language of those times. Many people find this word to be a sort of curse word and completely inappropriate for classroom discussion. However, “This book is about racism. These people, the racists, are barely human, and as proven by the end of the book, don’t deserve the consideration commonly given to civilized people.” (Stagger). This quote shows that although the racist language is included in the text, it does not say it is okay to use such verbal indiscretion. “The word is not hurtful. How it is used is hurtful, the person who is saying it is hurtful.” (“60 Minutes: Huckleberry Finn and the N-word”). Radley explains that the people of today have transformed the word and have made the word more powerful than it is. The way you say it, the tone of voice, and the context of the sentence all adds more to the simple meaning of the harmless ‘N’ word. The ‘N’ word must remain in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, because removing it will not only take away the reality of the word, but also escapes the history behind it and all of our centuries of accomplishment. The ‘N’ word’s purpose is to take the reader back in time; to add to the setting of the story and to give a greater mind set to those racist characters. The word is not to be used as an insult, for it is the way in which
you use it that determines its meaning. Do not let the use of the word today change its meaning from its use in the past.
Works Cited
“60 Minutes: “Huckleberry Finn” and the N-word”. March 20, 2011. Video.
Stagger. “Politically Incorrect Books. Use of the word NIGGER (et al) in literature”. Staggering Along On The Internet. http://www.stagger.net/books/nword.htm. Web.