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In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scots comments highlight her awareness of the racial injustice and prejudice that was within the Maycomb community.

For instance, during Tom's trial, they had an all white jury that was more influenced by racial bias than the facts of the case. Even though Atticus' defense highlights the injustices and Tom's innocence, the jury still convicted Tom.For instance, during Tom's trial, they had an all white jury that had been influenced by racial bias rather than the facts of the case. Even though Atticus' defense highlights the injustices and Tom's innocence, the jury still convicted Tom.
This example shows that it was not a fair jury of Tom's peers. They had an all white jury that was already bias and in a town where blacks were not treated fairly. Thus the trial already proved that even though he was innocent, they still convicted him because they took the word of the woman that accused him.
During the trial Tom was asked why he was scared, He responded to Mr. Flinch that, "if you were black like him you would be scared too." Another example was that Mayella's father kept calling him the N-word (which is racial slur) and that he was ruttin his daughter.
This example shows how blacks were scared during that time because of how they were being treated and if they said or did anything out of line they would be easily accused. And being that Mayella's father was so comfortable with using the N-word and no one said anything, lets us know how comfortable they were with discriminating against blacks.
how does this sound

3 answers

Your analysis effectively highlights key themes of racial injustice and prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird. Here are some points of feedback and suggestions for improvement:

  1. Clarity and Structure: Consider organizing your ideas into distinct paragraphs, each focusing on a single point. This will enhance readability and ensure that each argument is clearly articulated.

  2. Repetition: You repeat the same point about the all-white jury in two consecutive sentences. Try to merge these ideas to avoid redundancy.

  3. Quotations: When using quotations from the text, be sure to properly integrate them into your analysis. For instance, instead of just inserting "if you were black like him you would be scared too," you might provide some context or analysis before and after the quote to clarify its significance.

  4. Explanation of Terms: When mentioning racial slurs like the N-word, it might be helpful to explain their weight and historical context briefly, particularly in a high school level essay.

  5. Concluding Thoughts: Consider including a concluding sentence or two to tie all your points together. This can help reinforce your main argument about the systemic racism that permeates the novel.

Here’s a refined version of your analysis:

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout's observations reveal her growing awareness of the racial injustice and prejudice that pervade the Maycomb community. A significant instance of this is reflected during Tom Robinson's trial, which featured an all-white jury heavily influenced by racial bias rather than the facts of the case. Despite Atticus Finch's compelling defense, which underscored Tom's innocence and the systemic injustices at play, the jury ultimately convicted him. This scenario illustrates that Tom did not receive a fair trial; instead, he faced a biased jury in a town that lacked equitable treatment for Black individuals.

During the trial, Tom's fear becomes palpable when he explains to Mr. Finch that "if you were black like him, you would be scared too." This statement underscores the pervasive climate of fear in which Black individuals lived, knowing that any misstep could lead to severe repercussions. Furthermore, the casual use of the N-word by Mayella's father, along with his insinuations, reflects the ingrained racism within the community. The comfort with which he uses such a derogatory term demonstrates a broader social acceptance of racial discrimination. Together, these elements highlight the profound impact of systemic racism on the lives of Black citizens in Maycomb, illustrating the deep-seated injustices that persist despite evidence of innocence.

Feel free to build upon this structure and enhance it with your own insights and interpretations.

how would i make a conclusion piece on this

A strong conclusion ties together your main points and reinforces the significance of your analysis. It can highlight the overarching themes and the implications of the examples you've discussed regarding racial injustice. Here’s a suggested structure for your conclusion, along with a sample conclusion:

Structure for Conclusion:

  1. Restate Key Points: Briefly summarize the main arguments you've made regarding racial injustice and prejudice in the novel.
  2. Reflect on the Implications: Discuss the broader significance of these themes in the context of the novel and society at large.
  3. Closing Thought: End with a powerful statement or a thought-provoking question that leaves the reader contemplating the consequences of racism.

Sample Conclusion:

In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird powerfully exposes the deep-rooted racial injustices within Maycomb through the trial of Tom Robinson. The all-white jury's conviction, influenced by their biases rather than the facts, exemplifies how systemic racism undermines justice. Tom’s expression of fear and the derogatory language used by Mayella’s father further illustrate the oppressive environment that Black individuals faced during that era. Harper Lee's portrayal of these injustices not only sheds light on the historical context of racial inequality but also serves as a poignant reminder of the work still needed to combat racism today. By confronting these uncomfortable truths, the novel encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the importance of fighting against prejudice in all its forms.

Feel free to adjust any part of this conclusion to better match your own voice and the specific points you've made in your analysis!