To Kill A Mockingbird by Harber Lee

Essay by aliasloverHigh School, 10th gradeA, April 2004

download word file, 3 pages 2.8 1 reviews

Through the years the world has changed drastically. Telegrams were replaced with telephones, books with computers, dishrags with dishwashers. But through it all one thing, one rule, remains the same. Nothing worth getting is free. Just as the cheaper product is more likely to break, the right thing to do is often the more difficult way to go. Harper Lee expressed this beautifully in To Kill a Mockingbird. She showed that the more costly action or product will in the end, be the most rewarding. But even with this knowledge some still choose the cheaper one, the easier one. It is these decisions that tend to do the most damage. And some things can't be replaced.

One person whose influence destroyed more than one person's life was Mayella Ewell. She accused an innocent man of rape. All Tom ever did was help her out and she spit in his face.

Mayella should have been grateful to him because he was the only person who ever bothered to show her any kindness at all. With only herself in mind, she lied about what really happened. Her father may have influenced her somewhat but in the end it was her own decision. She was stupid and selfish to lie under oath and trade her own skin for Tom's. Mayella will have to live with that guilt for the rest of her life. Mayella did have a conscience and it's only a matter of time before she'll feel the impact of her actions. She had the power to save an innocent man from death and she tossed it away like it was nothing. It's a tragedy in itself to see what an impact a silly little girl can have.

One man stood by Tom through thick and thin. . . .