To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Atticus. chapter 11. p.149

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

This is one of the examples of moral courage from Atticus.
The reason why I chose this quote is because I liked the way Atticus corrected Scout's thoughts on courage.

Atticus. chapter 20. p.273

"the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption that one associates with minds of their calibre."

Atticus states facts that are what everyone from the
county thinks.

“Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you."

Atticus uses the fact to show that Tom Robinson is not
lying. Atticus does not know how to give up.

"You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men."

I chose this quote because Atticus taught a lesson on how the people of Maycomb are not treating the black people the same.

"There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire."

I think that this quote is important because Atticus' speech
emphasized on the core of the humanity.

Atticus. chapter 20. p.274

“One more thing, gentlemen, before I quit. Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal"

Atticus stating Thomas Jefferson's quote touched the bottom of my heart furthermore, this quote made me think about what my life is heading for. In addition, everyone on this planet is so precious, no matter who they are or what they do.

My notion is that taking care of myself could be the first step of loving myself. As I start loving myself I would gain the power to stand against all the inequality. Finally it can be led to grasp on courage.

Atticus. chapter 23. p.295

"There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life.”

People are born with privileges and most of the time, they do not even recognize it. In spite of it, that privilege tends to be given to specific group of people. The author points out that white people had or have privileges.

Example : while reading this book, I have had this same question to myself. "What if I were Atticus, would I have been able to speak out my thoughts on racial equality with courage?"

Scout. chapter 11. p.134

"It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived."

Atticus stayed humble until his ability to shoot was shown in public in Maycomb county. Finally, his courage made Scout respect her father.

"Why couldn't I mash him?" I asked.
"Because they don't bother you." Jem answered in the darkness.

Stereo type sometimes makes someone's personality blurry.
As if Scout was going to kill the bug even though it was harmless. From this point on, humanity's cruelty hit the back of my head.

Jem revealed his human instinct, without hesitation.

Jem. chapter 16. p.216

"but around here once you have a drop of Negro blood,
that makes you all black."

I think that it is ridiculous to treat people differently just because of the colour of their skin and it is unnecessary .People that are mixed were treated worse than
the black people. Scout learned that racism in Maycomb county is a big problem.

Jem. chapter 17. p.238

Jem seemed to be having a quiet fit. He was pounding the balcony rail softly, and once he whispered "we've got him."

Jem showed Scout that the trial was going to be
over and that Tom Robinson was going to be set free

Jem showed positive reactions in front of Scout
by saying that Tom Robinson would have
a better chance of not being guilty.

Mr. Raymond. chapter 20. p.268

"Some folks don't --- like the way I live. Now I could say
the hell with 'em, I don't care if they don't like it. I do say
I don't care if they don't like it, right enough --- but I don't say the hell with 'em, see?"

The author inspired me that segregation cannot be an obstacle to extending one's will. Mr.Raymond showed it by going his own way. (He believed himself on his decisions).