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Essay / English 10 reads Journal: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
When fall turns to winter in Maycomb County, Scout and Jem plan to create a snowman. This is an example of how their innocence is preserved at the beginning. Jem and Scout are shaping the snowman: “Jem looked at me, his eyes sparkling: 'Mr. Avery is sort of shaped like a snowman, isn't he? » (67) The tone of this quote suggests that the children are delighted and naive. After creating their snowman, Jem and Scout witness Miss Maudie's house burning down: "We watched the street fill with men and cars as the fire silently devoured Miss Maudie's house. »(69) This undermines their innocence in several ways. Because Scout and Jem are children, they have not yet experienced a traumatic event. After witnessing the destruction of Miss Maudie's house, the children are reeling from some of their lost innocence: "She's gone, isn't she?", moans Jem. This makes them realize that not everything will last.Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay One day, Jem and Scout decide to go looking for a small rodent with weapons until Jem finds concentrate on something on the road. Jem reveals that he was looking at Maycomb's pet, Tim Johnson and Jem run home to inform Calpurnia of his condition and Calpurnia frantically calls all the neighbors. , forces Atticus to shoot the dog because he feels he is not qualified to do so: "Mr. Tate almost threw the gun at Atticus, "I would feel very comfortable if you did now,” he said” (96). The dog represents the town's thinking that only Atticus is the only person who can help dissuade the town and its children from prejudice. Mr. Heck Tate also informs Atticus of the crowd for Tom Robinson's arrival: "...moving him to the county." jail tomorrow," Mr. Tate said, "I'm not looking for any trouble, but I can't guarantee there won't be any..."(145) Mr. Heck Tate warns Atticus because he knows that 'Atticus will defend Tom, just as he knows Atticus will shoot the dog to defend his children. Many events occur throughout the novel that highlight the racial inequality in Maycomb. One of the most notable events was the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping and beating a 19-year-old white woman named Mayella Ewell. Although the evidence suggests Tom Robinson is innocent, the town finds him guilty: "Judge Taylor polled the jury, 'Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty...'" (211) Tom Robinson is found guilty . only because it's a white man's word against a black man's. Another event occurs when Aunt Alexandra requested that Calpurnia be removed from her home to Atticus. When Scout asks Atticus if she can visit Calpurnia's house, Aunt Alexandra answers for Atticus, saying, "You can't do it" (84). Because Aunt Alexandra is a woman with traditional and conservative values, she treats Calpurnia harshly and without any respect. The difference in moral education can be seen in many different examples in the book. Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout's father, always teaches them to be respectful to African Americans. For example, after Cecil Jacobs and Scout's fight, Scout asks Atticus if he defends black people by using a derogatory term. Atticus replies, “Of course I do. Don't say n*****, Scout. It's common. "(75) Atticus tells Scout not to treat them with a demeaning word because he cares and supports racial equality and wants Scout to be raised with..