Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird - 1693 Words

Judicial Process Course Paper For my paper I have chosen to analyze the movie â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird.† This movie is based on the novel – by the same name – written by Harper Lee. The story has two major plotlines. One follows Jem, Scout, and Dill as they try to uncover the secrets behind the infamous â€Å"Boo† Radley. It’s only at the end of the movie that we learn â€Å"Boo’s† real name to be Arthur, and that we discover he actually tries to protect people, as he saved Jem and Scout’s lives. The other major plotline, and the one more relevant to this class, follows Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout’s father, as he tries to represent Tom Robinson. Mr. Robinson is an African American man who has been charged with raping Mayella Ewell. The movie then†¦show more content†¦However, we never hear of an initial appearance before the grand jury indictment. This phase is when the defendant appears before a magistrate j udge and is informed of the charges against them and the constitutional rights they are afforded. Furthermore, after hearing about the grand jury the movie progresses directly to the trial. This is not an accurate portrayal because it entirely skips the arraignment phase. Arraignment is a very important step in the criminal justice process because it is at this point that the accused will enter a plea. The audience never saw this phase; therefore, we have no idea if Tom formally plead guilty or not guilty to the charge of rape. However, it can be assumed Tom’s plea would’ve been not guilty as he denies the charges during the actual trial. In terms of the actual trial, it was highly dramatized and clearly intended for a cinematic audience. For one, there were no opening statements given and the trial started off going directly into witness testimony through direct and cross examinations. This is highly inaccurate as the opening statements are a crucial part of the trial in that they aid the jury in understanding the complex legal issues that will unfold (Budziak). Next, the witness testimonies were highly dramatized. When Mr. Ewell was on the stand, he attempted to get up to leave before Atticus even had the opportunity to cross examine him and also openly yelled at him while testifying. Such would never beShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of to Kill a Mockingbird2365 Words   |  10 PagesI’d like to analyze the extract from a book which is entitled â€Å"To kill a mockingbird†. The author is Harper Lee, an American author known for her 1960-Pulitzer-Prize-winning and who is considered now by many to be a literary icon. Harper Lee was born in 1926 in the state of Alabama. In 1945-1949 she studied law at the University of Alabama. Her novel ‘To kill a mockingbird’ which deals with the issues of racism that were observed by the author as a child in her hometown was awarded the Pulitzer PrizeRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Of Kill A Mockingbird 1271 Words   |  6 PagesJourney Tasopulos Brannen ELA-8 19 April, 2015 Novel Analysis: To Kill A Mockingbird Selection: I selected this book because its the best book I have ever read. I read To Kill A Mockingbird last year and my class wrote an essay about this book, since I already know so much about this book I thought it would be a nice and quick read. I thought it would be a great enjoyment to refresh my memory of this epic book. I watched the movie soon after I read the whole book and it was very fun to pick outRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird Analysis933 Words   |  4 PagesThe intriguing novel, To Kill A Mockingbird is written by the prestigious author Harper Lee. Lee has utilised the lifestyle and attitudes towards ‘African-Americans in the 1930s to create a novel which presents the reader with Lees attitudes and values. The dominant reading of the novel is focused on the issues of racial prejudice, but there are also a number of other alternative and oppositional readings. Examples of this are the Marxist and feminist readings which can be applied to the textRead MoreAnalysis Of Kill A Mockingbird 843 Words   |  4 PagesThere are couple of reason that Mr.Raymond act drunk and one of them is that he wants people to leave him alone. One major theme from To Kill A Mockingbird is to not judge a person by his appearance. This theme refers to Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Raymond because they seem to be bad from a normal person perspective,but on the inside they’re good humans who try to live there life but can’t because the world has people who interfere with them. This essay will explain about how to character areRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird Compassion Analysis600 Words   |  3 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird Compassion Analysis Philosopher Albert Schweitzer explains, â€Å"The purpose of human life is to serve, and show compassion and the will to help others†(BrainyQoute.com) In order to follow the purpose of life you have to teach the purpose of life. Compassion is meant to be shared and spread throughout the whole world. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Atticus takes this moral upon himself, and teaches Jem and Scout about compassion in Maycomb. Throughout the novel To KillRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Analysis1126 Words   |  5 PagesJim Crow laws so she could end the mental and physical abuse her father caused. Since Mayella is white and female, she has power. Although she lives behind a dumpster this still provides a significant amount of power for her. In the book â€Å"To Kill A Mockingbird† Harper Lee shows Mayella’s power for class during the trial. Even though Mayella has less power in class than race in gender it is still a significant amount to help her. â€Å"Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her†¦.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"DBQ: Is Mayella powerful?†Read MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Analysis1378 Words   |  6 PagesThe Influence of Setting on Themes and Events in To Kill A Mockingbird Vs. A Time to Kill A setting is used in literature to highlight the major themes and also shape the events of the narration. Though set in different time periods, the settings of To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper and A Time to Kill by Joel Schumacher serves to reinforce various themes that highlight various aspects of American history. Racial segregation and issues associated with it such as the lifestyle of the Southern stateRead MoreCritical Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird1761 Words   |  8 PagesTo Kill A Mockingbird is an acclaimed novel that provides a meritorious exploration on the subject of human nature and distinctively regards several themes with great importance. Discussed through recollections from a child’s perspective, the novel provides a variety of portrayals and wholehearted messages, creating an illustration with a consequential meaning once the indications are interpreted. It is also worthwhile to acknowledge the themes that coexist within the book that are introduced th roughRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Analysis947 Words   |  4 PagesMockingbirds are innocent and free from corruption,but how would you think that some characters are Mockingbirds? To Kill a Mockingbird is about a lawyer, Atticus Finch, simply defending an African American, Tom Robinson from a rape charge. Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley are innocent and free from the disease of Maycomb County. That disease is racism and hate. Atticus is a man made from morals, Tom is a scared African-American, and Boo just wants to get away from the chaos outside hisRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Analysis706 Words   |  3 Pagescharacters in â€Å"A Time to Kill† by John Grisham and â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee show this by taking action into their own hands. In the book â€Å"A Time to Kill,† Carl Lee Hailey, the father of Tonya Hailey; sought vengeance on Billy Ray Cobb and Pete Willard for raping his daughter. Throughout the book, it shows the experiences Carl Lee has while being on trial against the state of Mississippi. He was ultimately successful in winning the case. In the book â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird,† Arthur Boo Radley