By allowing his children to address him by hist first name, Atticus is dismantling one of the many traditions that serve to reinforce and perpetuate traditions that ultimately only serve to delegitimize the experience and perspective of certain people. This forces the viewer to take Scout's recollections and narration more seriously, because although they are the memories of a relatively young child, the viewer cannot help but treat them with a little more respect in recognition of the respect that Atticus, as the most idealized character in the entire film, grants them.
Thus, taking a cue from Atticus, Scout and Jem are respectful and relatively well-behaved, but are never hesitant to question or challenge attitudes and behaviors that they perceive as unjust or unjustified, and particularly in the case of Scout, are especially sensitive to behaviors that hypocritically contradict the ostensible moral standards of society. While is worth noting that by and large "the film shifts perspectives from the book's primary concern with the female protagonist and her perceptions to the male father figure and the adult male world," Scout's status as a female is nevertheless an important part of her role in the film, as will be seen when considering her address to Mr. Cunningham, a member of the mob intent on lynching Tom Robinson (Shackelford 102). Furthermore, examining this same scene will reveal the specific importance of Jem's role as a male child, because even the relationship between Scout and Jem challenges dominant notions of gender roles.
In addition to the three main characters, there are two relatively minor characters that play important roles in the narrative by serving as the object of undue discrimination and scorn. As discussed above, the character of Tom Robinson is not nearly as fleshed out as the white characters, but he nevertheless is crucial to the story, as the overall plot revolves around his fate. In particular, Tom's testimony during his trial serves to reveal the feelings of resentment and superiority held by the white jury when he says that he felt "right sorry for" Mayella Ewell; the prosecution presses him on this point in a condescending, indignant manner, and it clear by the reaction of the crowd that this statement has sealed his fate. In addition to Tom, the character of Arthur "Boo" Radley is an object of undue scorn by the town due to the fact that he is a recluse, and in some ways represents the potential for previously maligned individuals and groups to demonstrate their humanity and worth when given the chance. Though one might quite reasonably take issue with the fact that the white character is granted the opportunity to "redeem" himself while the black character is killed in somewhat dubiously characterized "escape attempt," the characters of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley must nevertheless be considered thematically related elements within the film's overall objective.
The central kernel of the story is Tom Robinson's trial, because this event serves as the orienting point for the entire plot, but this kernel is developed by the satellite events which occur throughout the story. In order to better understand how the central kernel is developed by the satellite events, it will be useful to focus on two particular instances of rhetoric; Scout's address to Mr. Cunningham, and Atticus' closing arguments in Tom's trial. Scout's address to Mr. Cunningham is part of a relatively minor event in the story, but it serves to flesh out both the major event of the trial and the film's overall objective by directly addressing the phenomenon of mob action, and specifically mob violence. After Tom has been arrested for the rape of Mayella, Atticus decides to stand watch outside the jail in an attempt to ensure that Tom is allowed a trial, but a group of men arrive intent on lynching Tom. Although their intention is never stated explicitly, in a manner common to Horton Foote's work, the relatively sparse dialogue allows the viewer to imagine the mob's malicious intent by showing "portraying the reaction of lead characters to tragic happenings" (Edgerton 11). As mob advances on Atticus, Mr. Cunningham says "You know what we want. Get aside from that door, Mr. Finch," and it is clear that they intend to murder Tom right then and there (Foote 49). Atticus attempts to dissuade the men with little success, until Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill run up to him after spying from the bushes.
Atticus tells...
But even though the film's camera work is mainly conventional, it does feature some surreal-looking shots and sequences, e.g., Boo Radley's shadow hovering over Scout's older daredevil brother Jem, as Jem, having intruded on the Radleys, cowers on their front porch in terror. The storytelling is interesting but like the camera work, not especially unconventional on the whole. The story is told in two ways: (1) in voiceovers as Scout,
Horton Foote and "To Kill a Mockingbird" Horton Foote Some aspects of a literary work are often revealed through the author's biography. Horton Foote is no exception, as his biography reveals a thoughtful Southern writer who could brilliantly capture life's conflicts, triumphs and defeats. Both honored and criticized, Foote remained a considerate chronicler of humanity whose work is still admired decades after publication and whose life is an inspiration. Horton Foote (March 14,
kill a Mocking Bird's Aticus Finch Defined as one of the best novel of the 20th Century, and selling more than "30 million copies around the world" having it's translation in more than 40 languages (Flood), the book "To Kill a Mocking Bird" has been considered as a true reflction of the American society in 1936. The story revolves around the story of the racial differences that exist in the
Aunt Alexandra does not say "please" or "thank you," just a simple command forcing Cal into subservience. Cal has symbolized strength and authority throughout Scout's childhood, by acting as a mother figure in the Finch household. Scout has never seen Cal in such a low and submissive position Equality is not approved, segregation is traditional, and hate is accepted. Maycomb citizens believe that Tom Robinson is not, and should not be
During this time all the defendants remain in prison. Finally, on April 1, 1935, the United States Supreme Court overturns the convictions of Patterson and Norris on the grounds that qualified African-Americans had been excluded from all juries in Alabama, including on this trial. (Johnson, 20) the trials are reflected in the fictional trial of Tom Robinson, which parallels the tensions and prejudices existent between the black and white communities.
Unlike other court depictions, the questioning of the witnesses and Robinson occur in the center of the room, creating a more intense feeling of interrogation. The editing of the film helps to further drive the story. Shooting the film in black and white helps to exasperate the tension between social classes while commenting on the fact that the morality is not as simple as black and white and that there
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