Similarities Between Lee And Martin Luther King Jr

What would happen if you were to shove a colored man to the ground? What if you shoved a colored man eighty years ago? Would you share the same consequences? These are all questions that should have obvious answers, but because of the way our society works, they’re not. Without brave souls fighting for equality, there would be no change.

“Emotions can’t be allowed to interfere with what is right.” This quote, provided by Amazon’s recent, critically-acclaimed dystopian television series accurately summarizes the key takeaway when it comes to morality in To Kill a Mockingbird. How does this quote from a television show which takes place in an alternate 1960s America relate to the theme of morality in Harper Lee’s Great Depression-era novel? To answer this, we must first examine how the said theme in the novel is created. How does Harper Lee convey her message of not letting emotion sway us from right?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr is known for his strategy of nonviolent civil disobedience, which he used to advance the civil rights of black Americans who had been treated as second-class citizens for more than a century. King was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He was a man that persuaded people worldwide to follow him during the Civil Rights Movement. King was a very passionate, caring man. A great leader that pushed and motivated blacks to achieve equal rights for all.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(Lee 30). These are the words of Atticus Finch, the wisest character in the famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a fictional man that embodies human traits that all people should strive to emulate. In the novel; narrated by Atticus’ daughter Jean Louise Finch, more often referred to as Scout; Atticus defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white female, Mayella Ewell. The main message of the text is the prominence of racial injustice, specifically in the 1930’s, the era the novel takes place in.

“My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.” The “I Have a dream” speech and the “Speech to the Virginia Convention” or the “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech are pieces of text with metaphors,repetition, reference and advanced language to explicate the fault or meaning of their situation. Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Patrick Henry have a way of informing their audience the way they are living currently living is unfair and their society should make a change. On the other hand, Martin Luther King is using non violence for equality and to stop segregation while Patrick Henry is telling his speech for liberty and freedom from Great Britain.

During the trial in the book to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee. The Lawyer Atticus Finch uses rhetorical appeals such as ethos, logos, and pathos tap into the jury's sense of ethics, logic and emotion to convey Tom Robinson, a black man, is innocence in a rape case. Atticus uses ethos many times throughout his closing argument, His most powerful ones are “I would like to… remind you that this case is not a difficult one… but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant”. This makes the jury think again because Atticus is forcing the jury to look in at their own morals when he says to be sure upon all reasonable doubt.

Martin Luther King Jr., a minister and social activist, led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. He was an advocate for equality between all races and a civil and economic rights Activist. Because of his leadership, bravery and sacrifice to make the world a better place, Martin Luther King was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. His incredible public speaking skills and ability to properly get his message across can clearly be scene throughout the speech. Tone: Dr. King delivered his speech at the university of Oslo in Oslo Norway in front of a large group of people.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two profound African American figures in history. They both fought for equality and to better humanity. But, the tactics they used were very different. Their different views may have been rooted from the where they were raised. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in a middle class family and received a very solid education.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil right activist who fought for the right and equality of African American citizens. In his speech, he stressed that nonviolence was a more effective way to success. One of the rhetorical devices that was key was his persona. His persona showed his followers that with patience and persistence change will come. In his speech, King spoke about the march in Birmingham, Alabama, where he and his friend Bull Connor lead.

Harper Lee demonstrates the important theme “Power of words” in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout this novel there is no one better than Atticus Finch at using the power of words. Atticus strongly uses his words during the trial to make Bob Ewell look bad. “ Will you write your name and show us?” ( Lee 236)

“And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.” (MLK, 264).  Martin Luther King Jr. was a recognized activist in terms of supporting complete freedom for African Americans.   He was a well known author and public speaker who served as a shred of hope for many during the dark times in which racial prejudice was exercised.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader in the African American Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, he was known for his nonviolent movements and methods of protesting. This involved many African American citizens to take verbal and physical abuse from the police and not being able to do anything about it. He used his words to inspire the nation into taking action, instead of promoting violence. Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of thousands of United States citizen from all different backgrounds at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Kings uses ethos to point out why segregation was unjust and to justify why African Americans deserves the same rights as the white citizens of the United States.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, conflict is driven throughout the novel from racism and prejudice. The characters in the story must determine what is right and what is easy. Atticus Finch, a lawyer, and father, does what is right all the time. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man, in a rape trial against a white family. Harper Lee’s novel is built to make people uncomfortable.

Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty,” Mohandas Gandhi quoted. I have extremely admired Gandhi because his whole life be worked and fought for India’s Independence from the British Empire. Also another important person whom I have respected is Martin Luther King .Jr who attracted many people to his cause by delivering his speech “I have a dream.”

For many in the south, particularly African-Americans, the American Dream was well out of reach, due to the legal and social injustice they faced. This shines in Lee’s writing, as it is established in the novel the Tom Robinson, on trial for sexually assaulting a white girl, is innocent. His lawyer, Atticus Finch, makes it quite clear to the jury that he is telling the truth, (as he only has one working hand it’s difficult to grab someone by the throat) and that the victim is lying. But since this is 1930’s Alabama, a white person’s word is worth far more than a black man’s, and so he is wrongly convicted.