Set in a picturesque, sleepy Southern town, To Kill A Mockingbird is a classic
movie on race relations in America's troubled past. The movie gives viewers a glimpse of racism in 1930's American. The flm taught me that while laws preventing discrimination are clearly delineated in our nation's Constitution, they may not be enforced. In fact, for much of the black population living in the South during these times, discrimination was a way of life. I feel that the attitude towards African- Americans was correctly portrayed in the flm. Many of the events the movie described such as an all-white jury felt like they were straight from the confnes of a history book. 2. Several vital, essential civil rights and liberties were violated in the movie. Surprisingly, while there was a deluge of racism portrayed throughout the cinema, the 1st amendment was never violated. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion was always extended to people such as Tom Robinson. The real battle started with the 10th amendment. The 10th amendment states that powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states are reserved for the states. One could argue that due to the 10th amendment, Alabama had a right to control the trial of Tom Robinson as it saw ft. Poll taxes could also be justifed by turning to the 10th amendment. The 14th amendment brings with it the due process clause with states that all citizens have a right to due process under the law. This was undoubtedly violated under several occasions. Firstly, justice was nowhere in site when the racist white clan came to torment Tom Robinson during his stay at the Maycomb jail. Mr. Robinson was not aforded due process under the law during his trial; the all-white jury that convicted him did not guarantee Mr. Robinson an impartial trial.
3. I feel that Atticus Finch was indeed a good man. In a world full of racist, ignorant white "folk", Atticus Finch rose above his peers in both his thinking and actions. Atticus, a lawyer, used his powers to defend Tom Robinson- a wrongly accused African American man. Most other white men living in 1930's Maycomb, Alabama would have directly jumped to the conclusion that Tom had raped Mayella. However, Atticus pushes racial stereotypes aside and uses the logical reasoning to deduce that Tom had to be innocent. This kind of impartial thinking was unusual for a white Southerner during those times; therefore, I think Mr. Finch was a "good" man. 4. The events in the movie taught Jem and Scout that justice is sometimes not aforded to members of society. A case in point is the trial of Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell. Mr. Ewell should have been exposed as a liar, but instead Tom Robinson was charged with rape. The children learn that they must fght to prevent such injustices from ever occurring. While they are not miracle-workers or gods, they can work within their own spheres of infuence to combat racism and discrimination. For example, the events in the movie coerced Scout to fght with an ignorant classmate. 5. The movie concluded with the untimely attack on Scout and Jem by Mr. Bob Ewell. After losing his honor in the Tom Robinson trial, Mr. Ewell set out to attack the children of Atticus Finch. However, Arthur Radley courageously came out of hiding and saved the two children from peril. Trying to save Scout and Jem, Mr. Radley stabbed Mr. Ewell to death. 6. Calpurnia portrayed the role of a typical African-American women during the 1930's. Black women such as Calpurnia were lifelong fxtures in wealthy white homes. Calpurnia's job was to help with cooking, cleaning, and tending to Scout and Jem. Society made sure that African American women such as "Cal" were kept poor and uneducated by forcing them to work as domestic housekeepers and maids. 7. I believe that Sherif Tate was a "good" sherif. This impression was formed primarily by his actions towards the end of the novel. The Sherif knew that Boo Radley had killed Bob Ewell, but Tate showed true understanding for Boo by not taking him to trial. Tate simply waived the death of was a tragic accident initiated by Bob Ewell. This use of discretion shows how compassionate the Sherif is. Furthermore, it shows that in a world of people quick to vilify others, kind beings that Sherif Tate show understanding of others. 8. Boo Radley's real name was Arthur Radley. 9. My favorite season was the scene in which the clan of angry white people had gathered in front of the Maycomb County jail to infict harm on Tom Robinson. While Atticus Finch vowed to oppose the clan, what amazed was the bravery and resolved Mr. Finch's daughter showed. Scout Finch rose calmly to address the crowd, and in doing show she made them realize how stupid they were acting. Many of the members of the clan were her father's colleagues and longtime friends who were only caught in the passion of the moment. Scout, however, showed wisdom far beyond her years in her calm address the crowd of angry, racist Southerners. 10. My favorite character was Atticus Finch. Not only was Finch a loving father, he was also a fantastic teacher to his children. Atticus gave his children a liberal education; a very powerful tool in a racist society. Due to their father's teachings, Scout and Jem grew up largely shielded from the ignorant mindsets of their peers. Moreover, Atticus Finch was not afraid to voice his opinion and defend Tom Robinson even though he knew there would be severe backlash.