Prejudice Runs Deep in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay -- Kill Mockingbird

Prejudice Runs Deep in To Kill A Mockingbird    To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in small town Maycomb, Alabama, a depression era town where people move slowly and twenty-four hours seems longer.   The narrator of the story is a six-year-old girl named Jean Louise Finch, a tomboy who hates wearing dresses and goes by the nickname "Scout."   Scout's being a tomboy is of no little significance because while we are treated to a sweet and affectionate portrayal of Maycomb at the novel's opening, we will find it is a town where racial prejudice, hostility and ignorance run deep below the surface.   Not only are the majority of the townspeople prejudiced against blacks, maintaining a feeling of superiority to the whole of their race, but there are also well-defined social roles based on gender.   To Kill A Mockingbird reflects many themes, but three of the most significant ones are courage, prejudice, and education.   Through characterization and behavior the author demonstrates the connection of these themes as crucial for manifesting real humanity within individuals.   Education and courage produce a higher level of humanity in human behavior, particularly because they allow individuals to walk in the skins of other people before judging them.   Education and courage allow for a neutralization of prejudice because they lend a broader understanding to the individual concerning others.   Atticus, the father of Scout and Jem (Jeremy Finch), often teaches the lessons of education and courage to his children.   Atticus' brand of courage and education is different than that of most people's in the town.   Atticus' brand of courage disdains the use of guns, as we see when he refuses to use one to protect Tom Robinson (a black man accused of... ...th, as surely as mockingbirds are shot because they are considered "ugly."   Education and courage allow individuals to manifest a level of humanity that is color blind and does not criticize or judge based on circumstantial evidence or before walking in the skin of another.   In the author's view the type of justice and social conditions that exist in Maycomb, Alabama, are, mirroring the words of Jem after the guilty verdict for Tom, not right "It ain't right" (Lee, 1960, 214).   Prejudice and discrimination run rampant underneath the seemingly sweet and affectionate portrayal of Maycomb at the novel's outset.   It is these two elements that will unjustly condemn an innocent man to death, two elements Lee considers a sin as surely as Atticus views killing a mockingbird as sinful. Works Cited Lee, H.   (1960).   To Kill A Mockingbird.   New York, Warner Books, Inc.

Lucida the Lioness Essay

It was around the time of the 100 years war, the bitter battle between France and England. While the world was obsessed with creating empires there was one empire that existed on a plane beyond us. To silence the voice of lions was the intent of mankind. Many eons ago, the Lion did not roar, he spoke, loud from the mountain tops and filled the world with terror. He breathed fire onto the lands below and warned of the doom of the world should a savior not be found. The word of men assumed that that savior would be a man and did not look amongst women. The answer would come in the land of Lionire, whose king sought a solution to the endless battles and torments of the lions. The prophetess Clyra had told him that his strength lay not in a man or a god, but in a woman. She told him to set sail for an unknown land and was told that he would reach this place without needing a map. After months of travel and many toils, he landed on the Cypriot islands where he fell in love with a fisherman’s daughter. Lucida was beautiful and golden, unlike the maidens of his own land who were comparatively insipid. At Lionire, trouble was worse than ever before, the Lions burning the land to cinders. But Lucida sat in her parlor and looked out over the Purple Moors. She noticed on the far side, a group of hills to which she was unmistakably drawn. The sun shone high and Lucida took the road to the Lion Caves, although she knew not what awaited her. She walked and walked to a place where time stood still and even though she walked, seemed to be going nowhere. While the wind whipped through her golden hair and the sun shone on her deep gold skin, Alfred argued with his counsel that Lucida was the answer to the portent and the country’s prayers. Meanwhile, a messenger entered the counsel-room and announced that Lucida had disappeared. After a time, a herd boy entered saying he had seen her walking that morning. He told the counsel that Lucida was seen walking towards the Cractus caves where the great lions dwelt. The people searched and searched for days and could find no trace of Lucida. After the 5th day it was assumed she had been taken by the Lion, yet the search party could go no further than the entrance to the caves. Alfred gathered his troops and set off to war, but it was not with the fear that he had carried for years. He had a peace that Lucida was alive and that she was the chosen one. So, Lucida had looked up at the hills above her and seen the gigantic lion looking down at her, she had known fear like this before but her name meant ‘the light in the dark’ and she spoke clearly to the Lion of Cractus. â€Å"If I am to dine with you or to be dined upon, this is my destiny and I am here to honor it. † One step at a time, she walked into the caves and reached out towards the Lion who came to her as a kitten would. And Lucida spoke to the great lion of Cractus and the lion himself told Lucida that he was seeking a peaceful existence between man and animal, and that if she formed a pact with him, his voice would be silenced and no more people from Lionire would be killed at the lions den. He told her that she needed to gather the women of Lionire to go to battle with their men, that they should be a partnership and not of subordination. When Lucida came down from the hills on the 6th day, she was bright and engulfed in an expanding light that the entire Lionire could see. Alfred sat astride his horse and looked out at the impossible army he was supposed to defeat. They were outnumbered 5 to 1. On her return, Lucida gathered the woman of Lionire together and those who were able to fight and they marched to the battle-fields where the enemy would be defeated. On her return, it was known that Lucida had fulfilled the prophecy and had been blessed by the great Lion of Cractus. Thereafter, not a single Lionirian citizen was ever to be killed again by a lion of the Cractus caves. She became known as Lucida the Lioness and peace reigned over the country until Lucida’s apparent death. She was known to have emancipated the women of Lionire, giving them the right to fight for their country. As a result, Lionire held the finest army in the land, its women numbering amongst its warriors. It is said that a hundred years later, Lucida took the path to the caves one last time and was never seen again. The lion’s voice was silenced and in its place was a roar that still chills the blood of those who hear it. It is a symbol what the world used to be and of the strength of a woman who was able to lead an army.

College Vs. High School - 888 Words

Coming into English 102 I assumed it would be extremely easy and it would be similar to high school English. This was correct, it consistent mainly of writing papers and a few assignments where we had to read something then write about it. As a result of this I believe I did not take the course as serious as I needed to. However along the way I learned multiple useful concepts that will be beneficial to my continuance of college. College and high school are not as different as people make them seem, the only difference is I am paying for one and not the other. With both being similar I maintained bad habits I had in high school such as procrastinating, incorrect form use, lack of proofreading and using resources available for my benefit. A great example of this was my college English class. Throughout the semester we were given multiple assignments to which I waited tilt the night before or the week before to complete. This was the first habit I needed to break. Waiting to the last minute to write my English papers is one of my big regrets form this semester. I learned it is tiresome and when a person rushes on a paper it is more likely to sound like their rushing on a paper. My papers consisted of misplaced words, grimace errors, tense errors, and unorganized flow. As I continued to go through this class I learned writing my paper ahead of time would make it sound much better. Each and every time I procrastinated I forgot to proofread. Proofreading is one of the mostShow MoreRelatedCollege Vs. High School858 Words   |  4 PagesCollege Vs. High School Some may think that high school and college reading and writing are similar and that it’s just the next level up but it s not, they differentiate in many ways. College reading and writing is more than that, it’s a completely different world when compared to high school. It’s much more advanced and complexed. Some ideas that can be compared are the way we annotate, understand text, assignment topics, the depth of research, and so on. This is important to understanding howRead MoreHigh School Vs. College873 Words   |  4 PagesHigh School Vs. College The transition from high school to college is not only an exciting challenge, but also a great milestone in one’s life. High school and college both share the common goal of expanding students’ knowledge; however, there are many differences between high school and college. They are similar in such ways that you still have to go to class, do class work, take test, and study hard. They differ because in college one is taking on an entire new load of responsibility and optionsRead MoreHigh School Vs. College1149 Words   |  5 PagesProfessor Grunow Writing 1010 October 26, 2015 High School vs. College Graduating from high school is what every student is looking forward to. However, going to college is a big accomplishment for all students. The first day of freshman high school and college feels the same, the excitement and pressured. As many students experienced, both high school and college could be compared their similarities. First, both students in college and high school are expected to behave in well mannered, attendRead MoreCollege Vs. High School938 Words   |  4 PagesWelcome to college! Congratulations on making it this far! Now the time comes to ramp up the ante! No such program as stepping up to college exists as it does for for high school. Oh wait! It’s called high school. Move it or lose it now, your future rests on your shoulders. High school teachers just handed you your future based on the way you schooled, and college professors tell you to figure it out. College trips up hundreds of students a year, refrain from letting yourself become one ofRe ad MoreHigh School Vs. College1217 Words   |  5 PagesHigh School vs. College In the America, children begin school around the age of six. Once a student enters elementary school, most stay there for five to six years before they go on to secondary school, which involves middle school and high school. After graduating high school some students go on to pursue a â€Å"higher education† through college, but any further schooling after high school is no longer mandatory. In the professional world it is becoming harder and harder for high school students toRead MoreHigh School Vs. College923 Words   |  4 PagesEng. 110-48 31 August 2015 High School Vs. College High school and college are both higher education institutions that enlighten students; however, there are many differences between the two that make them both unique. In high school, the goal is to gain a broad understanding of numerous subjects so that when they arrive to college, they have an understanding of their interests, goals, dreams, and what it takes to pursue their potential career. High school works as a place for students toRead MoreHigh School Vs. College1236 Words   |  5 Pages201    High school vs. College Having a great education is the best legacy in life. It is a proven fact. This accomplishment requires moving on from high school, as well as from college. Moving from high school to college might be an energizing change, yet it is additionally an exceptionally troublesome one. It is a test that the understudy will battle with and in the end change in accordance with after some time. Despite the fact that there are numerous contrasts between high school and college, oneRead MoreHigh School Vs. College965 Words   |  4 PagesHigh School vs. College In the American schooling system, children begin primary school around the age of six, this is called elementary school and most students stay there for five to six years before they go on to secondary school which involves middle school and high school. After graduating high school some students may go on to â€Å"higher education† known as college, but any schooling done after high school is no longer mandatory. In high school there is a certain structure that has to beRead MoreHigh School Vs. College853 Words   |  4 Pagesdifference between high school and college from having bells to a no dress policy. For high school students, they are obligated to go, and if they don’t attend then the government comes into play. As for college, it s a choice to go back to school. Students in college have variety of classes to choose from and freedom,etc. This could be freedom from parents or just doing whatever you want without parents barking at you, because you are now an adult. Even though I have been in college for only a semesterRead MoreHigh School Vs. College1294 Words   |  6 PagesHigh School Versus College Schools are undoubtedly important to one’s education. The most important of those schools are high schools and colleges because they have the most impact on deciding what occupation a student wants to pursue. Although high schools and colleges share similarities in providing education, there are also many differences between each other. In both high schools and colleges there are teachers that educate students on certain subjects. Those subjects can range from mathematics