Respect is an admiration of a person, a personal quality or ability. Respect, being one of the most substantial messages, plays significant role in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. In this response, three different topics will be disputed. The topics are as follows; respect throughout the novel, respect of an individual character and necessity of respect for different human races.
Throughout the novel, there are a few events that demonstrate respect. For instance, Atticus is taking the Tom Robinson’s case because he respects all people in same way no matter what their classes are or skin colours are different. Another example would be when Jem and Scout stop pestering Boo Radley after he gave Scout the blanket. The kids respect Boo for giving them the gifts especially the blanket and decide not to bother him anymore. As I pointed out some events, these events are the evidence that the theme, respect can be easily noticeable.
Out of all of the characters on To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is recognized as the most respected character. The reasons why he is so admired are because first of all, the way he treats and talks to people in same manner and with honesty. He never talks behind anyone’s back and moreover he tries to understand and see from their point of view. Secondly, Atticus has the nerve that others don’t. For example, he took the Tom Robinson’s case. Even though his neighbors criticized him for taking the case, he was willing to do it because he knew that his belief was right and Tom Robinson was innocent. As a result, all of his morality, honesty, and fairness had earned him the respect.
The setting of novel, Great Depression is the era when the severity of racism hit the highest peak. Racisms had a major impact of the Tom Robinson trial. Tom Robinson was declared guilty in spite of Atticus proved evidences which verify Tom’s innocence. In addition, Mr. Dolphus Raymond, known as the town drunk carries his drink in a paper bag. However, the drink in the bag turns out to be Coca-Cola, not an alcohol beverage. He pretended being drunk because this made people understand easier why he was being friendly and nice towards black people. These two examples explain why we respects different races and make us look back what we have done.
By reading the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” all the viewers can learn respecting people around us, believing in yourself and always being fair is the lesson that is taught from the author and the characters inside the book. I hope more people would have a chance to read this book and change their moral belief and realize that our skin colours do not define who we are.
