"To Kill a Mockingbird" takes place in the 1930's, in a small Alabama town called Maycomb. The story is narrated by a young girl named Jean Louise Finch (known as Scout). Scout lives with her father and her brother Jeremy Finch (known as Jem). Scout is having to grow up with the same racism that effects her father's, Atticus Finch, lawsuit. The reason for the despicable attitude towards the Finchs' is that Atticus defended Tom Robinson, a black person. Tom was charged with raping a poor white girl whose family Atticus thinks is less than trustworthy. The town's racism portrayed in the trial changes the Finch family.
Scout was raised by her father, and her maid, an African American woman named Calpurnia. Scout was taught by her father to respect all people, including black people. While attending school Scout and Jem have to endure name calling from their peers.
Screenshot of To Kill a Mockingbird(an American mo...
President George W. Bush awards the Presidential M...
A 13th century book illustration produced in Baghd...For example, Cecil Jacobs says that Scout's father "defends niggers." Scout is angered by the comment but takes no action against Cecil, but asks Atticus if he does in fact defend black people. Atticus assures her that he does, and that it is the right thing to do. Atticus' fight for justice causes more problems for Scout. She always defends Atticus but the racist comments do not stop. Scout defends her father when her cousin Francais refers to Atticus with the statement "He's nothin' but a nigger-lover." After Scout beats up Francais, Atticus is disappointed at Scout's retaliation.
At Tom Robinson's trial Scout steps outside of the court room and talks with Dolophus Raymond, a white man. Dolophus is thought of as a sinful man because he has mixed race children and lives in the neighboring black community. Dolophus pretends to be drunk, so the townspeople didn't think that he...