Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 1005 Words

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed Scout, recalls her experiences as a six-year-old from an adult perspective, describing the circumstances involving her father Atticus and his legal defense of Tom Robinson, a local African American male falsely accused of raping a white woman. This novel takes readers to the roots of human behavior and challenges the racial prejudices shown to colored folks in Maycomb, by integrating Robinson’s court case into to the plot. Atticus Finch is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality, and with his strong convictions, wisdom, and†¦show more content†¦Another significant example of how Atticus was wise to defend Tom Robinson is when Scout arrived from school and re-stated her conclusion she made at school of how she can’t process, â€Å"How can you h ate Hitler so bad an then turn around and be ugly about folks at home,† (Lee, 331). This quote shows Scout grew to become more articulate and intellectual to make connections with the past to bring light to the negative cycles continuing in the present. Furthermore, Atticus Finch was one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality, and by being so, Scout realized how the racial divisions from the past didn’t decrease at all. Additionally, Atticus’s decision also influenced Scout, as he developed in her a respect for life and the rejection of cruelty. During his explanation of his case defending Tom Robinson, Atticus advised, â€Å"You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change. It’s good, even if they resist learning,† (Lee, 76). This quote illustrates how Atticus always urged the children to keep their grou nd and follow through on their values and morals, even if the other people resist to change their ways. Also, this quote illustrates Atticus’s advice tremendously paid off in the long run, because Scout refused to fight anyone again to defend herself. She