In section two in, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee uses the Finch’s, Calpurnia, and the rest of Maycomb to highlight one specific theme; change. As I read more and more, it became apparent to me that Calpurnia, Atticus, Jem, and Scout are the only characters in the story that embrace change. An example of this, is when Atticus is speaking to Scout about loving everyone especially African Americans. Atticus was being criticized for defending Tom Robinson because he’s defending an African American and instead of feeling ashamed of this, he stands up for what he believes in; all people should be loved and cared for. On the contrary, most characters find this to be disturbing. For example, Mrs. Dubose calls Atticus the derogatory term, “nigger-lover”, which represents the hatred for African Americans in the county of Maycomb. But there isn’t just a lack of acceptance among white people in Maycomb, but also the African Americans. When Jem and Scout accompany Calpurnia to her church, they find everything to be reversed; they aren’t wanted there. In this section it became evident to me that the Finch household (including Calpurnia) ignores the racial norms from the time; they have an open-mind and embrace others.
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ReplyDeleteZach, I found your commentary on section 2 to be very insightful. It has been established that Maycomb is a place very set in their ways; long established with families who have lived on their lands forever. Atticus and his brigade (including Calpurnia) are all more relatively new since they came from the Landing, already making them different. I think they are a contrarian group that goes against the social norms and stands up for what they think to be of good moral character; thus making them more interesting protagonists.
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