To Kill a Mocking Bird essays

To Kill a Mocking Bird essays The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To kill a mocking Bird explores many aspects of a township in the 1920s. Throughout the novel the characters emerge from situations as either victors or victims. Even though Maycomb is shown to be a quiet peaceful town, there is much hidden conflict that was commonly accepted by society in this era. This conflict occurs when characters cross social boundaries and break societies unwritten laws. A victor can be defined as the winner or conqueror over an opponent or situation. The opposite of this is a victim, which means someone who loses or is disadvantaged by a situation or a person with selfish aims. However, in the book these titles are not earned in a competition, but largely by a persons social status. Atticus Finch, Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell are characters that represent victor or victim. Obviously a victor, Atticus Finch is a tolerant and accepting man who looks to the good will of all people and recognises everyone for who they are. He is moralistic and passes this trait onto his children, Scout and Jem. Despite the social structure of the time, Atticus strongly believed in equality throughout the human race. An example of this would be his passion in the Tom Robinson case. Atticus represented Tom Robinson wholeheartedly, fighting for true justice, all along knowing the odds were against him. This attitude is evident when he said to Scout, This case, Tom Robinsons case, is something that goes to the essence of a mans conscience Scout, I couldnt go to church and worship God if I didnt try to help that man.p116. Throughout the novel Atticus showed many more acts of an unbiased nature, he is a true victor. Clearly another victor, Dolphus Raymond, like Atticus finch, is tolerant and accepting of all people. He choses to live his life a way that is looked down upon by Maycomb society. An example of this, is that he has biraci ...