To Kill A Mockingbird-Society Norms Vs. Individuality Essay, Research Paper
SOCIETY NORMS VS. INDIVIDUALITY
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee deals
with several controversial topics. Among these is society
norms vs. individual. The setting of the story takes place
in the 1930 s in the southern town of Maycomb. In Maycomb it
was hard for people like Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Heck
Tate to maintain individuality in a 1930 s society.
Atticus Finch was distinct from his society for several
reasons. Atticus (a white man) was overall respectful to
blacks. Maycomb was a predominantly segregated town, and the
majority of whites did not tolerate blacks. Atticus however,
treated them like equals. For instance, he defended Tom
Robinson. Tom Robinson was a black man accused of raping a
white woman. Contrary to everyone else Atticus believed he
was innocent, and treated the case no differently.
Similar to Atticus, Boo Radley did not correspond with
his society. Also, unlike the public he didn t gossip.
Primarily he was what
addition opposed to every other character cited he does not
go to church. Instead he spends his time inside his house.
Heck Tate is also his own individual. After learning
Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell, Heck Tate has a right as
sheriff to take him into custody. Despite Atticus s demand
he does not. He knows the town does not need anymore gossip,
and claims Bob Ewell fell on his knife. If he had followed
the beliefs of the town he would have thought of Boo Radley
as barbarous. Yet he does not because he won t let Boo
Radley go on trial. Also, in spite of everyone s belief, he
also takes into consideration the innocence of Tom Robinson.
In any society it is important to maintain ones own
individuality, and not follow the predilection of others.
This book truly conveys the importance of distinctiveness.
Furthermore, no society can be described as normal. Society
follows examples from the past, and every person contributes
to this. Instead each person should contribute to their own
individualism.