To Kill A Mockingbird is required reading at Mountain Vista High School because it gives insight into an essential historical background and teaches valuable lessons about perspective. First of all, the book provides insight into the Great Depression and the twentieth century in America. Significantly, in this era, segregation and racism reigned supreme in southern states, which had a crucial effect on the outcome of the Tom Robinson trial. The attorney for the Ewell family demonstrates this when he argues, “You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?”(Lee 224). His main argument is that Tom felt sorry for someone of a higher class according to the caste system of Maycomb. In most cases, this detail would have been glossed over. However,
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One example of their reaction is when Scout's teacher, Ms. Gates, states, “Over here, we don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced” (Lee 281). Her reaction reveals that Americans believed that the persecution of Jewish people was unfair. However, this statement provides irony because the American justice system was unfairly persecuting black people. Even though both types of persecution were unfair, the persecution of POC was accepted. This reveals that even people would remove their preconceived notions of what is just and unjust because of prejudice. Lastly, the book proves its significance because Atticus is described as a “White Savior.” One central argument against the book is that Atticus being a white savior is negative. As Zach Graham states, “A white savior is once again the hero, and the hopeless black victim is insignificant in comparison” (Graham). However, in the book's historical setting, it would make sense that a white man had to defend Tom Robinson. Systematic racism left POC powerless in almost everything. So, they physically could not defend themselves without being shut out and
One example of their reaction is when Scout's teacher, Ms. Gates, states, “Over here, we don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced” (Lee 281). Her reaction reveals that Americans believed that the persecution of Jewish people was unfair. However, this statement provides irony because the American justice system was unfairly persecuting black people. Even though both types of persecution were unfair, the persecution of POC was accepted. This reveals that even people would remove their preconceived notions of what is just and unjust because of prejudice. Lastly, the book proves its significance because Atticus is described as a “White Savior.” One central argument against the book is that Atticus being a white savior is negative. As Zach Graham states, “A white savior is once again the hero, and the hopeless black victim is insignificant in comparison” (Graham). However, in the book's historical setting, it would make sense that a white man had to defend Tom Robinson. Systematic racism left POC powerless in almost everything. So, they physically could not defend themselves without being shut out and