RASCISM / RASCIAL INTOLERANCE / RASCIAL INEQUALITY:
In to kill a mockingbird, these themes are presented within.
There is social inequality shown strongly within the film at the top of the towns social hierarchy would be Atticuss’ family (the finches) and people who live a similar reasonably well of life style. Behind them follow families such as the Cunningham’s which are farmers and not as educated as the finch family. Then behind them almost at the lowest, follow the Ewell family who are ignorant and the poorest of the town also not very well educated. People can look down on them as being the lowest of the towns social hierarchy however beneath them at the lowest are the black people of the town which consequently means that the Ewell’s can believe that persecuting Tom Robinson would make up for there un-importance. This is an extremely discriminating and prejudice action.
We acknowledge the differentiation of structure between races inside the courtroom. Every white member of the courtroom would be seated at the bottom; in isolation from them every black member of the courtroom would be located upstairs. This alone is recognition to the segregation of races at the time period that the film was set. In the 30’s racism was still very much an issue, it was highly frowned upon for white and black people to integrate and therefore it was almost unheard of for a relationship between the two to form.
Also inside the courtroom took place the rape case of which by black male Tom Robinson was the accused subject of raping Myella Ewell (young white girl). The theme is shown strongly through this part of the film, as the accusation was not true.
Because of breaking the ‘rules’ of society it was easier for the Yule family to set Tom Robinson up as the bad person as they knew that they would win the case as white individuals rather than face becoming judged, frowned upon and unacceptable in society as a result of people knowing that she tried to integrate sexually with a black man. Through this sheer ‘guilt’ Tom Robinson was humiliated judged and accused unjustified.
Bob Yule represents the theme of racial intolerance; the way in which he speaks to Attikas about Tom Robinson was extremely discriminating and offensive to his race. He used words such as “nigger” to get his anger across although he knew himself that Tom was not guilty for the crime he was charged of. This portrays the themes as it shows us that he is intolerant to care what effects his words and actions will have on Tom’s life and this is solely because of the colour of his skin.
Atticuses children also become the victim of racial intolerance word of mouth goes around and the children are called names for their dads work “nigger lover” is some of the names which just portrays the effect of racism on the whole environment. And it is shocking that even children would come out with awful words such as them.
Out side the jail where Tom Robinson is the large group of farmers gather together intending to harm Tom. Although we do not see them actually harm him or infact say it we know what there intensions are and what the reason for this is based on, race. It is not until young Scouse intervenes and deters the group off, one farmer in particular Mr Cunningham, by making him realise that what he is doing is wrong and he guiltily influences the farmers to leave.
JUSTICE AND THE LAW:
Justice and law are important themes in the film although they do not always work together like they should. Atticus is in favour of having justice served which is why he supports Tom Robinson in the courtroom. The theme of law in the film is represented in a manipulative way. The Ewell family choose to manipulate the law based on the fear of no longer being accepted in society or as Atticus says “guilt”.
The jury of the courtroom portray the miss justice of the case as it is made up of all white individuals, the majority being men. This in itself cannot be a fair trail and is questionable whether justice can be served as this all white jury group have already been influenced extremely, by societies racial intolerance and the way society has segregated black from white with black being the lower class. They discuss their decision, which they are not permitted to do. This can change the opinions of some and therefore remains an unfair trail of which justice cannot be served.
“Ideally justice should be blind to race, colour, gender, age or otherwise” Atticus believes the statement and tries to follow it however this is not always abided by within the film and it just shows exactly why justice is not achievable in this particular type of case of the time it is set.
PERSPECTIVE:
To kill a mockingbird shows a Childs prospective on adult events.
Throughout the film Atticus induces his children to try to see the world from other peoples eyes, aswell as there own. Atticus said “you will never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” the children learn a great deal from this advice.
As Scouse grows to have the ability to put herself in other people’s shoes, it boosts her social understanding of people and the world.
The film as a whole is narrated by Scouse. Showing her prospective of what happened at that stage of her life and all the lessons she had learnt, encouraged by Atticus, to help her build up moral education/perspective. It took her on a journey from innocent Childs ignorance to grown up principled understanding.
Boo Ridley played an important role for the theme of perspective in the film. From the beginning his character was no more than a childish fallacy. However he became more prominently significant as a person to the children as the film went on. He left a number of presents for the children on different days in the tree and also fixed Jems trousers. By the end of the film Scouse can sympathise towards Boo and is finally able to put herself in his shoes. He is infact a symbol of a mocking bird and this fact becomes apparent to her. His kind attributes allow her to see the good there is in people and it is another major lesson leant: not to judge or harm people who keep themselves to themselves and do not harm others. Exactly like the mockingbird notion that Atticus teaches.
MORAL COURAGE/BRAVERY:
Atticus is a substantial representation of moral courage/bravery in the film. His ability to stick to what he knows is morally the right thing to do and defend a black male especially one accused of rape. He knows he will be confronted with threats and judgment however this does not deter him and we relate to him being very morally courageous. Atticus can also be perceived as a brave character as he takes on the mob of farmers who visit the jail alone without panic he confronts them calmly.
ETHICS:
Atticus is the moral teacher guiding the children to establish right from wrong. He knows himself what is right and what is wrong and does not let societies influence determine his decision between the two.
Bob Ewell has no ethics and he shows this by lying after making and oath, prosecuting an innocent man because of his lower class and vulnerability just so that he can be looked at as more of a man rather than a coward. He cannot establish right from wrong at all.
Atticus believes that one-day goodness will prevail over the evils of racism and racial equality will exist.
