Justice
“I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it - seems that only children weep.”
Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, ideas about justice are highly prevalent, especially through the extremely moral character; Atticus who believed in equality. In order to achieve this equality, he perhaps overlooked the safety of his children by his passionate defense of a discriminated black man. Although he did not win the case, Atticus was more than willing to take it on, unlike the common views of the time.
On the other hand, although Atticus believed in upholding the law, he also deemed it necessary to bypass laws in certain circumstances. For example, although the town was aware of Bob Ewell’s illegal hunting in off seasons, nothing was done as it was the only source of food for his children. Additionally at the end of the novel, although it was evident that Arthur Radley killed Bob Ewell, this fact was not shared and instead was covered up in order to protect Arthur Radley.
To Kill a Mockingbird does not show only one side of characters; instead Harper Lee creates more complex characters with multiple views. She conveys that although a person may not be necessarily ‘evil’, they can be blinded by prejudice and fear, therefore committing immoral actions. This is shown with the character Mr Walter Cunningham who originally seeks to lynch Tom Robinson but is compelled by Scout to stop.
On the other hand, although Atticus believed in upholding the law, he also deemed it necessary to bypass laws in certain circumstances. For example, although the town was aware of Bob Ewell’s illegal hunting in off seasons, nothing was done as it was the only source of food for his children. Additionally at the end of the novel, although it was evident that Arthur Radley killed Bob Ewell, this fact was not shared and instead was covered up in order to protect Arthur Radley.
To Kill a Mockingbird does not show only one side of characters; instead Harper Lee creates more complex characters with multiple views. She conveys that although a person may not be necessarily ‘evil’, they can be blinded by prejudice and fear, therefore committing immoral actions. This is shown with the character Mr Walter Cunningham who originally seeks to lynch Tom Robinson but is compelled by Scout to stop.
For further information, visit:
Victims of Crime Victoria Department of Justice
http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
http://www.vocat.vic.gov.au/other-sources-assistance
Department of Justice and Attorney-General
http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/
http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
http://www.vocat.vic.gov.au/other-sources-assistance
Department of Justice and Attorney-General
http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/