To Kill A Mockingbird Essay: Southern Tradition Exposed -- Kill Mockin

Southerners are known to be uplifted of their traditional beliefs. To Kill A Mockingbird allows its readers to question and consider those beliefs. Maycomb represents a typical ageing southern town. Not many people go away into Maycomb and not many people who live there journey beyond its boundaries. As a result, the opinions held by many of the citizens of Maycomb are left to prepare and foster in the same families for many generations. The circumstances in Maycomb are less than ideal for generating change and more prone to sustaining traditionally authorized codes. Two codes embedded within southern loving beliefs are secern and race. The years of 1960 and 1961, when To Kill A Mockingbird was published, signaled a time of colossal change. The civil rights move manpowert was in full swing and the country was undergoing favorable and economic reconstruction. Traditional thinking was being trans discrepancyed into ideas and thoughts that had never been considered before, a nd sometime(a) traditions were pitted against new ones. Looking into the Deep South, in a small town named Maycomb, tradition for most people meant prejudice, separation, and racism. genus Atticus Finch chooses to fight against this old tradition with traditions of his own. Because of his highly ethical character, Atticus is able to honorably contend Tom Robinson and promote a new tradition for himself and his children. Respect, dignity, and equality form the backbone of Atticus belief system, a belief system containing qualities that are practically overlooked in the traditional South. In the absence of outside support, Atticus fights his battle the only way he knows how -- with patience, perseverance, and honesty. The South and tradition are synonymous. Southerners are known to be proud of their tra... ...After realizing that he is fight an uphill battle, it is Atticus integrity that keeps him pushing forward. He sees the problems with southern traditional social codes and he realizes they must be redefined -- for the sake of his children, and his childrens children. Atticus knows that one of these geezerhood someone is going to pay the bill for it(p.221). He realizes that traditional beliefs lead not be changed over night, and he does not expect it. His root word to his dilemma is to stick firmly to his southern tradition and his beliefs. Atticus Finch is a true Southern gentleman. His courage, nobility, pride, and honesty allow him to do what few men at the time could do. Atticus does not fool himself by ignoring the inevitable. He accepts his position and attacks the traditional views that he does not believe in same(p) a true gentleman -- face to face.