To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

acmilantim
acmilantim
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In "To Kill a Mockingbird", Scout learns that the law is not always black and white. How?

Relating to part 1 of the book, where Atticus has his first 'serious' talk with Scout.

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Posted by acmilantim on Monday October 13, 2008 at 2:33 AM and tagged with black, law, racism, scout, themes, to kill a mockingbird, white.

Answers:

  1. reidalot
    reidalot Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Atticus has many serious talks with Scout, yet the most important discussion and lesson in Part One of the book concerning the law occurs in Chapter 9. Scout asks her father, "Do you defend niggers, Atticus?" (Chap 9). Atticus goes on to explain to Scout that even though the town believes he shouldn't defend Tom Robinson because the town believes he is a "nigger," Tom is a person.

    Atticus teaches his daughter that he must follow his heart and stand up for what is right even though the battle appears futile. Many times, what appears as black and white may not be the issue. One must act from one's beliefs and morals even if it is unpopular such as defending Tom Robinson in a losing battle.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird

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    Posted by reidalot on Monday October 13, 2008 at 5:50 AM


  2. engtchr5 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Atticus Finch shows Scout the lack of absolutes in the law when he first speaks with her in part one. There, he explains the equal rights of Tom Robinson, despite the town's castigation of Atticus for "defending a nigger."

    Scout first encounters a taste of moral "grey areas" during this section of the book -- She begins to understand that one must act according to one's own system of values, rather than abiding by popular opinion, or at times, even the law. Good and bad, black and white, and right and wrong are prevailing themes throughout this novel.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/

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    Posted by engtchr5 on Monday October 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM