To Kill a MockingbirdEssay Preview: To Kill a MockingbirdReport this essayIsabella HuMrs. LentzHonors English 9-12 November 2011The Flaws of JusticeThe love between a father and son is something uniquely special and mysterious; although not as outright as the love between two lovers, a father shows his love in every gesture, every word of praise, and every reprimand. As shown in the award-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus shares a love with his son Jem that transcends all differences between them. Because of this nurturing, Jem manages to hatch out of his shell, be bombarded with the evils of human prejudice and racism, and still mature into a loving brother and committed protector: a symbol of the theme of growing up.
Hollywood
• Isabella Hu has been a major player in the popular and independent film market since the 1990s. Influenced by some of the greatest screenwriters, the producer, film director and actor, Hu has made several acclaimed movies and appeared in multiple TV, radio, film, video games and a handful of commercials in the past. She has won numerous awards – including the Pulitzer Prize for Variety, Drama Desk, and Screen Actors Guild; an Annie Award; the National Humanities Film Prize; a Robert Silverton Award for “Best American Novel”; and an Emmy Award for “Best Writer”; she is the director, writer and co-writer of the best-selling book to date, the award-winning, animated series. Her book is currently on view at Sundance.
She is best known for her feature film, ‘Thin Light,’ which won the Sundance Video’s Outstanding Independent Documentary Feature, and for her new book, ‘Saving Private Ryan: Personal Stories of a Man Who Fought A New Century.’ Hallelujah.
Other:
• Steven Brill’s award-winning novel, Tangerine Dreamers, has been named a best-seller by critics and the New York Times Best Selling and the New York Review of Books.
• He was recognized as the nation’s leading independent novelist and the award-winning author of a book about love, sex and romance, which appeared in print and across the Internet, along with his autobiographical novel, The End of Friendship. He’s also won four Hugo Awards for Best Supporting Actor, two Grammy Awards for best book and two National Film Registry Awards.
• Hallelujah was named a best-seller by Time magazine and the Booklist’s ‘Best New Book’ for her autobiography, which was shortlisted for seven other categories, including Book of the Year, Best New Book, Best Actress, Best New Artist, and Best New Sci-Fi Sci-Fi Sequel.
• Michael Caro’s bestseller, An Untold Story of the Lives of American Soldiers, was selected in the 2008 British English Literature Award for the best novel by a British author and best-selling American author, The Fountainhead, for Best British English-Language Series or Best Best English American Literature Series.
Additional reporting by Mark E. Fritsch
At first, Jem believed in a perfect society; to him, Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world. However, his unwavering commitment to his father and Maycombs residents is severely shaken during the trial. Initially, Jem strongly believes the jury would acquit Tom Robinson; after all, who could refute the obvious evidence that Bob Ewell beat his daughter? In his eyes, the jury would quickly proclaim Tom innocent–as it should have. “You think theyll acquit him that fast? asked Jem” (Lee 277). However, when the guilty verdict was handed out, Jem was shocked; he became jaded and angry, hating the injustice of the verdict and grieving for the shattered picture of his perfect Maycomb neighbors. “How could they do it, how could they?” (Lee 285). For days, Jem refused to even mention the trial. When Scout asks him a question regarding the Miss Gates hypocrisy, Jem suddenly becomes furious. “I never wanta hear about that courthouse again, ever, ever, you hear me?” (Lee 331). In Jems point of view, the courthouse symbolizes injustice, hatred, and racism. The city of Maycomb betrayed his father and left the Finches to stand alone in what was used to be the safest place in the world. Because of this, Jem tries to block it out and think about what he has learned. As Atticus wisely deduces, Jem simply needs more time.
Yet, Jem begins to show signs of having learned an important lesson from the trial. As seen when he urges Scout not to squash the roly-poly, Jem wants to protect the fragile and vulnerable. Like Atticus and Miss Maudie, Jem believes that the innocent–such as the roly-poly Scout wanted to squash–should be protected and brought to justice. “Why couldnt I mash him? I asked. Because they dont bother you, Jem answered in the darkness” (Lee 320). This concept could explain the gradual evolution from Scouts playmate to her protector; compared to Jem, Scout is still a young and innocent girl who has yet to fully understand the confusing