To Kill a Mockingbird

1. Set in a picturesque, sleepy Southern town, To Kill A Mockingbird is a classic
movie on race relations in America's troubled past. The movie gives viewers a glimpse
of racism in 1930's American. The flm taught me that while laws preventing
discrimination are clearly delineated in our nation's Constitution, they may not be
enforced. In fact, for much of the black population living in the South during these
times, discrimination was a way of life. I feel that the attitude towards African-
Americans was correctly portrayed in the flm. Many of the events the movie described
such as an all-white jury felt like they were straight from the confnes of a history book.
2. Several vital, essential civil rights and liberties were violated in the movie.
Surprisingly, while there was a deluge of racism portrayed throughout the cinema, the
1st amendment was never violated. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion
was always extended to people such as Tom Robinson. The real battle started with the
10th amendment. The 10th amendment states that powers not delegated to the
national government or prohibited to the states are reserved for the states. One could
argue that due to the 10th amendment, Alabama had a right to control the trial of Tom
Robinson as it saw ft. Poll taxes could also be justifed by turning to the 10th
amendment. The 14th amendment brings with it the due process clause with states that
all citizens have a right to due process under the law. This was undoubtedly violated
under several occasions. Firstly, justice was nowhere in site when the racist white clan
came to torment Tom Robinson during his stay at the Maycomb jail. Mr. Robinson was
not aforded due process under the law during his trial; the all-white jury that convicted
him did not guarantee Mr. Robinson an impartial trial.

3. I feel that Atticus Finch was indeed a good man. In a world full of racist,
ignorant white "folk", Atticus Finch rose above his peers in both his thinking and actions.
Atticus, a lawyer, used his powers to defend Tom Robinson- a wrongly accused African
American man. Most other white men living in 1930's Maycomb, Alabama would have
directly jumped to the conclusion that Tom had raped Mayella. However, Atticus pushes
racial stereotypes aside and uses the logical reasoning to deduce that Tom had to be
innocent. This kind of impartial thinking was unusual for a white Southerner during
those times; therefore, I think Mr. Finch was a "good" man.
4. The events in the movie taught Jem and Scout that justice is sometimes not
aforded to members of society. A case in point is the trial of Tom Robinson and Bob
Ewell. Mr. Ewell should have been exposed as a liar, but instead Tom Robinson was
charged with rape. The children learn that they must fght to prevent such injustices
from ever occurring. While they are not miracle-workers or gods, they can work within
their own spheres of infuence to combat racism and discrimination. For example, the
events in the movie coerced Scout to fght with an ignorant classmate.
5. The movie concluded with the untimely attack on Scout and Jem by Mr. Bob
Ewell. After losing his honor in the Tom Robinson trial, Mr. Ewell set out to attack the
children of Atticus Finch. However, Arthur Radley courageously came out of hiding and
saved the two children from peril. Trying to save Scout and Jem, Mr. Radley stabbed
Mr. Ewell to death.
6. Calpurnia portrayed the role of a typical African-American women during the
1930's. Black women such as Calpurnia were lifelong fxtures in wealthy white homes.
Calpurnia's job was to help with cooking, cleaning, and tending to Scout and Jem.
Society made sure that African American women such as "Cal" were kept poor and
uneducated by forcing them to work as domestic housekeepers and maids.
7. I believe that Sherif Tate was a "good" sherif. This impression was formed
primarily by his actions towards the end of the novel. The Sherif knew that Boo Radley
had killed Bob Ewell, but Tate showed true understanding for Boo by not taking him to
trial. Tate simply waived the death of was a tragic accident initiated by Bob Ewell. This
use of discretion shows how compassionate the Sherif is. Furthermore, it shows that in
a world of people quick to vilify others, kind beings that Sherif Tate show understanding
of others.
8. Boo Radley's real name was Arthur Radley.
9. My favorite season was the scene in which the clan of angry white people had
gathered in front of the Maycomb County jail to infict harm on Tom Robinson. While
Atticus Finch vowed to oppose the clan, what amazed was the bravery and resolved Mr.
Finch's daughter showed. Scout Finch rose calmly to address the crowd, and in doing
show she made them realize how stupid they were acting. Many of the members of the
clan were her father's colleagues and longtime friends who were only caught in the
passion of the moment. Scout, however, showed wisdom far beyond her years in her
calm address the crowd of angry, racist Southerners.
10. My favorite character was Atticus Finch. Not only was Finch a loving father,
he was also a fantastic teacher to his children. Atticus gave his children a liberal
education; a very powerful tool in a racist society. Due to their father's teachings, Scout
and Jem grew up largely shielded from the ignorant mindsets of their peers. Moreover,
Atticus Finch was not afraid to voice his opinion and defend Tom Robinson even though
he knew there would be severe backlash.