Table of ContentsTo Kill a Mockingbird and Jasper Jones: A Comparative EssayContext, Purpose, AudienceGender ExpectationsRacismConclusionTo Kill a Mockingbird and Jasper Jones: A Comparative EssayThe Purpose of a Comparative Essay can be from Compare and contrast two pieces of literature, and this is the case of the comparative essay To Kill a Mockingbird and Jasper Jones. Harper Lee's coming-of-age novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is often compared to Rachel Perkin's film adaptation of Jasper Jones due to Maycomb and Corrigan's portrayal of harsh racism in Maycomb and Corrigan's small town. The context of being an outsider and not fitting into society's typical stereotypes is explored through the use of the main characters Scout and Charlie and social tension. This major social tension is then explored through minor tensions such as gender expectations, isolation, racism, and family differences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Context, Purpose, Audience Harper Lee and Rachel Perkins explore the fundamental truths of racism, gender expectations, and isolation through a child's perspective in Jasper Jones and To Kill a Mockingbird. Focusing on the 1960s, the two writers follow the childhoods of two isolated but adventurous children to show readers how racism affects everyone. Known as “A Decade of Promise and Heartbreak,” the 1960s allowed both authors to share the truths about how brutal racism became and still is. Seeing through a child's lens, it shows the innocence and honesty of their uneducated mind; not knowing why people of color were separated from the rest of the community. To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on the perspective of Scout, a young and energetic child with many questions, which sets her sights on exploring such an incredible concept in America: why people of color have not never had justice. Following on from this, Jasper Jones, directed by Rachel Perkins, focuses on similar themes. Follow the journeys of two conflicted young teenagers – Charlie and Jasper – who set out to find out who “killed” Laura Wishart. Similar to To Kill a Mockingbird, Jasper Jones explores the thoughts of Charlie – again, a young child who doesn't understand why Jasper (a native Australian) was convicted of sins he never committed. Charlie would soon find out, the convictions boiled down to one thing: racism. Rachel Perkins is Australian and made the film Jasper Jones with the aim of entertaining the audience, while depicting the hope for cultural transformation throughout Australia, which became more tolerant many years later. Harper Lee, American novelist and author of To Kill a Mockingbird, also wrote for the same purpose as Perkins. Lee wanted readers to understand that the justice system of the 1960s was not discriminatory and that everyone should see things through the eyes of an innocent child. To Kill a Mockingbird and Jasper Jones present similar ideas, an ethnic novel and an emotional film, both entertaining and informative. Charlie and Scout's perspectives are knowingly similar, due to their backgrounds and involvement in the racism they faced in the 1960s. The audience for both text types is largely aimed at Westerners. Primarily focused on those interested in culture and racism, and those seeking information about differencescultural. Additionally, both texts delve deeper into the effects of racism on young children and their understanding. depicted in a way that does not justify gender bias. Both Lee and Perkins characterize their main characters as going against the regimes of their respective gender roles. Scout is written to lack general feminine qualities, always in overalls, never formally introduced, and would never be caught not socializing with Jem and Dill. In contrast, Charlie is seen wearing reading glasses, too big for his face, and the top button of his shirt is still buttoned. This shows us that Charlie doesn't have the athleticism and physical build that a "typical teenager" should always have. This is evident when Charlie falls while trying to escape through the window. Charlie's "irregularity" is less criticized at Corrigan than at Scouts at Maycomb, but both are still truly classified as underdogs. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout's childhood is based on the taunts of the older women around her. Most women call her "disgraceful" and often complain that she should only be dressed in a "...dress and a camisole...". Additionally, Charlie's uniqueness is never ignored by Corrigan's occupants, even Jasper – himself an outsider – says Charlie. , "...is a foreigner like [him]." However, the ineptitude of the scouts in adapting to their respective gender roles is much more emphasized throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Both Vintage Lee and Rachel Perkins use specific characteristics of Charlie and Scout to emphasize gender preconceptions in the town's Maycomb and Corrigan, leading to both of them becoming outsiders. Through both types of text, we are able to understand that preconceptions about gender have rarely changed since the 1960s. RacismTo Kill a Mockingbird and Jasper Jones focus solely on the theme of racism and the fact that Innocent people were found guilty of crimes they did not commit based on this theme. their background. Both Lee and Perkins show readers that not only those who were POC, but also those who associated with POC were considered inferior. This is proven when Atticus, a lawyer who was a black man's lawyer, was mocked while doing his job. One day, confronting Scout, Mrs. Dubose declared, "Your father's [Atticus] is no better than the nigger and scum he works for!" » Not only was Atticus reprimanded for this, but so was Mr. Dolphus. Jem, a young teenager, criticized him for his affiliation with “blacks,” especially once he was seen having romantic relationships with black women. Jem said, “He likes them [the blacks] better than us [the whites], I think.” However, with Jasper Jones, it is not only black people who are looked down upon, but other races as well. It is obvious that minorities should not have to "prove" their worth to the community, Perkins orders to show that white people can overcome racism through admiration and respect for the actions of others. First, Jasper reluctantly gains the respect of the people of Corrigan, for his football skills. While Charlie's Vietnamese best friend, Jeffery Lu, nicknamed "Cong" by his teammates, finally convinces his teammates with a winning performance. However, we all know that this kind of respect can be fragile: knowing that a person is only valuable when they do something exceptional, then they are not considered valuable as a human being . This is proven when Jasper Jones continues to be Corrigan's scapegoat, and when Corrigan's father.