Introduction
The story takes place in the 1930s, during a time of racism in America, where white people exploited black people. Atticus Finch is a lawyer with two children: daughter Scout Finch and son Jem. The author of this book is Scott Finch.
The story begins in Alabama, in the South of the United States. Arthur (“BOO”) Radley lived in the Finch family’s neighborhood with his brother. Due to Arthur Radley’s teenage pranks, his father locked him up. And since then, he has stayed away from people and cultivated an introverted personality.
The first portion of the novel focuses on Atticus Finch’s children’s interactions with Arthur Radley. Arthur Radley sits alone in his home and does not communicate with others, leading Atticus Finch’s children to believe he is a bad guy. They began playing pranks on him to make him to leave society. Strangely, Atticus Finch’s children began receiving gifts from oak trees in the complex of Arthur Radley’s home, which Arthur Radley kept for them. Children do not know who keeps gifts in the house. Jem Finch’s pants were scratched in the fence one day when running away from Arthur Radley’s house, but he later discovered that they had been well patched. Arthur Radley sewed it. All of these instances, as well as one in the book’s conclusion, taught children that Radley is a decent guy.
Now, let us go to the second half of the book.
One black man Tom Robinson is guilty of raping white woman Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch understands that saving a black man from rape allegations brought by a white lady is extremely difficult due to racism, but he is determined to do his best. People in the white community were upset with him for attempting to save a black man. Even his children, Scott and Jem Finch, are bullied by other white children, and no one likes them. Atticus Finch emphasizes to them that they must remain calm in such situations; true bravery is to keep fighting even when you know you can’t win.
During Tom Robinson’s trial, Atticus Finch works hard to save him. According to the facts of the case, Tom Robinson’s left hand is paralyzed and white woman Mayella Ewell has bruises on her right side. Apart from that, Mayella Ewell’s father, Bob Ewell, is left-handed, hence it is more likely that Bob Ewell hit her daughter Mayella Ewell rather than Tom Robinson.
Tom tells the court that Mayella Ewell asked him to see her, but when Bob Ewell discovered them, he attacked Mayella and pushed her to file false rape claims against Tom. Despite having strong evidence to acquit Tom, jury members, who were primarily white, branded him criminal. Unfortunately, he was killed as a result of a mob lynching shortly after leaving court. Atticus Finch’s children were shocked to see it.
What does ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ mean?
In the midst of the story, Atticus gets his children an air weapon and warn them they can shoot any bird except the mockingbird, which does not harm anyone. Mockingbirds represent the poor and vulnerable. We should not hurt any poor or innocent individual.
Bob Ewell was upset with Atticus Finch after the court case and the discovery of several pieces of evidence against him. He attempted to attack his children. Arthur Radley saved them, and the kids eventually realized that Arthur Radley is a decent person. Unfortunately, during this battle, Arthur Radley killed Bob Ewell.
Atticus Finch believes they should go to court and establish that Radley killed Bob Ewell in self-defense, but the Sheriff tells him that they should treat the situation as an accident and not disturb Radley. But Atticus Finch feared that if we don’t go to court, his children will worry about the judicial system.
Scout Finch informs her father that taking Arthur Radley to court will infringe on his privacy, and that Arthur Radley prefers to live alone due to his introverted personality, therefore taking him to court is like to killing a mockingbird, which they should not disturb. Finally, Atticus Finch agrees, and the incident is considered an accident.
What Can We Learn From This Book?
We should observe the world from other people’s perspectives as well.We should not damage or bother a harmless, poor individual.
Any society’s justice system is impacted by people’s thoughts and money, but it doesn’t mean we should stop striving for justice. Even if we know we may lose, we must continue to fight for the right cause.