Tkam Theme Essay

Kiah Lyons Mrs. Farrands Honors English II 30 October 2012 As children, we are taught simply that something whether it is a person, object, or belief is simply good or bad. We can classify or identify what is good or bad using three sources. Typically our beliefs are primarily based on what our household says. Society also has a large role in our views as well. If something is illegal, outlawed, or even frowned upon by society it is considered bad. However, saying something is acceptable or not acceptable is something completely different from what our actions say. Many parents use the saying: Do as I say, not as I do.

Sometimes we know something goes against what is right or against or morals but we do it regardless. Scout sees that in most instances; what those in her household tell her, what society tells her, and what her family and society does do not all coincide. This is evident when analyzing two main topics of the book which are race and Boo Radley. Atticus always tells Scout and Jem the importance of treating colored people equally if not better. While talking to Mr. Raymond, Scout tells him that Atticus told her “cheatin’ a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man, Says it’s the worst thing you can do” (Lee 205).

While defending Tom Robinson, Atticus told the court: “The truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women-black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” showing his strong belief of equality among all men no matter what their skin color may be (Lee 208). Even though Atticus strongly believes in the quote from Thomas Jefferson that “All men are created equal”, Aunt Alexandra tended to have a different perspective regarding colored men and women (Lee 208).

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This is strongly evident in the way she treats and talks about Calpurnia. When Aunt Alexandra first arrived, instead of a cordial greeting she tells Calpurnia right away “Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia” which shows that Aunt Alexandra views Calpurnia of a different class and has no respect for her. Aunt Alexandra disapproved of practically everything that Calpurnia did, and if it could be avoided, she did not want Scout and Jem spending any extra time with her. Although Scout looks forward to going to Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra is not fond of the idea, and actually encourages Atticus to fire Cal.

She believes Cal is not a good role mole which leads her to tell Atticus to “face it sooner or later […] We don’t need her now” (Lee 138). Aunt Alexandra felt that just because Calpurnia was black, she was not suited as a mother figure, and allowed her assumptions about blacks affect her view of Calpurnia. Throughout the summer, Jem, Scout, and Dill love to reenact Boo Radley’s life and play games which include messing with the house, which Atticus does not approve of. When he caught the kids he told them that “what Mr. Radley did was his own business. If he wanted to come out, he would” (Lee 50).

Although the rest of his family may not have the same beliefs as Atticus, he takes highly his standards and morals of treating men of all types and colors with respect and equality. It is clear that Maycomb’s society does not agree with Atticus defending Tom Robinson. Scout does not realize that she would face this opposition until a few members of Maycomb make remarks about Atticus to her, not having the guts to say anything to Atticus’ face. In school, Scout faces her first opposition from Cecil Jacobs when he says: “Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers” (Lee 77).

Even some of her family disapproves of Atticus defending Tom. Francis, only repeating what his grandmother says, tells Scout that Atticus “is a nigger-lover” and “we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin’ the family”, which of course leads to Scout punching Francis (Lee 85-87). Passing by Mrs. Dubose, Scout and Jem get more of the usual harassment when she says makes a condescending remark about a Finch “in the courthouse lawing for niggers” and that Atticus is “no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 105).

As for Boo Radley, most everyone in Maycomb has a different story for Boo Radley and why he stays at home all day. Stephanie Crawford even claims “she woke up in the middle of the night one time and saw him looking straight through the window at her” (Lee 13). Jem said that Boo “dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, […] his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time”, obviously a tale but no one said anything different. (Lee 13). It would be easy for Scout to fall in line with what the majority of what people think so that she would be accepted.

The characters’ actions throughout the book show if they actually live by what they preach. For example, Atticus knows that he will face disapproval defending Tom Robinson. He tells Jack that “reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up” (Lee 91). Knowing that he cannot go against what he believes, he defends Tom despite the opposition. He also defends Calpurnia when Aunt Alexandra talks negatively about her saying “Calpurnia is not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years.

She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are” later adding “She tried to bring them up according to her lights, and Cal’s lights are pretty good ? and another thing, the children love her” (Lee 138). Atticus could have easily taken his sister’s side, but he really appreciates everything that Cal has done for his family. Society believes that black people are of a lesser class which is the focal point of the Tom Robinson case. Even though Tom had more evidence to prove him innocent than the plaintiff had to prove him guilty, his race was what ultimately convicted Tom.

Atticus makes the statement in front of the court that the “case is not a difficult one […] It should have never come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 207). Regarding Boo Radley, no one attempts to make an effort to stand up against the unruly rumors such as that Boo “ went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. ” and the “Radley pecans would kill you” (Lee 9). It was more important to have a good story, than to have the not-so lively truth.

Their actions showed their true beliefs. We can be molded into good people by taking the good and bad from each source, or we can be brainwashed into one source. Each source has their pros and cons, which is why it is important to take what people say with a grain of salt, before immediately adapting their views. Regardless, we can all learn things from our household’s beliefs, what society says, and what peoples’ actions say. As we grow as a people and we gain experience, we gain a better understanding of what is good and bad, right and wrong.

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