Conflicts of to Kill a Mockingbird: the Power of Rumors

Atticus Finch: A Lawyer Amidst Controversy

Have you ever been the center of a rumor or the person to create a rumor? Have you heard a rumor that was not true but then decided not to do anything about it? In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many conflicts that involve rumors. There have been rumors that characters are centered in, and also some who had created them. They also hear rumors but do nothing about them. One instance is shown on page 101, when Ms.

Dubose yells at two of the main characters in the book, Scout and Jem Finch, that their father is trash for defending a black man in court (Lee 101). In To Kill a Mockingbird, the rumors are part of the main plot of the entire story.

Tom Robinson: Accusation and Prejudice

First, “A rumor is a statement or report without knowing authority for its truth” (Merriam-Webster). For example, Atticus has various rumors that arise about him in the novel. Atticus Finch is the father of Jem and Scout. He is a lawyer, and an abundance of rumors spread about him, having to do with the last case he has taken on. He is defending a black man who has been accused of raping a white woman. Characters in the story have been targeting Atticus’s children for a decision he has made. They have been telling Jem and Scout that their dad prefers blacks to whites. Kids at school have been making fun of Scout and calling her and her dad names. This instance is shown on page 74 when a child at school makes fun of Scout in the schoolyard. The day before, Cecil Jacobs announces to everyone in the schoolyard that Scout’s father defends blacks. Scout denies it but is still very upset by this, so she punches him (Lee 74). Atticus has told the children not to fight or give in to the rumors being told and to act like it does not bother them. The time period this book is set in was still when there was segregation, so, with this, no one believed that a black man should be defended by a white. Atticus does not believe that he should care what other people think of him, so he does not care what people say about him for defending a black.

The Mystery of Boo Radley

For instance, Tom Robinson is a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. The woman is Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter, who is the poorest in the town. They live in the dump right behind where the blacks live. Mayella is in need of some help with picking up a dresser. She calls Tom Robinson in to help her, and so he comes over to help. They are talking, and Mayella is trying to kiss Tom when he sees her father, so he jumps out the window and starts running because he is scared (Lee 194). Bob beats his daughter for being with a black man but accuses Tom of being raped while being there. When I was younger, I was always afraid of being accused of something I did not do, and I still am today. I have the same feeling. When I am accused of doing something I had nothing to do with, I always try to tell the truth, but the person who has accused me would point out that I am arguing. This is shown in the book when Bob blames Tom, but when he tries to stand up for himself, they think that he is just trying to save himself.

The Ever-Present Nature of Rumors

In addition to rumors, there is a creepy man who lives down the street from the Finches. The children who live in town hear and spread rumors about him. His name is Boo Radley. His name even sounds eerie. Rumors have spread about the town about how Boo sneaks out at night and eats cats, as well as him coming to look in their windows. No one knows if this is true or not, but everyone obviously believes it because they never see him during the day. Scout and Jem are very curious about Boo throughout the novel. Towards the end of the book, they find out that he is not as scary and rude as they thought he was. There was a play at the children’s school one night, and Scout and Jem had to walk in the dark. On their way home, they hear noises behind them. On their way there, Cecil Jacobs had scared them, so the kids thought it was him again. They stop, and the noise stops. When they would go again, the noise would start again, but one of the times, the noise did not stop. It kept coming. Someone got a hold of Scout with a knife, but her costume protected her. Scout hears a crunch and then uses her feet to feel around. She sees someone carrying Jem, and his arm is bent in a weird way. When they get home, Scout realizes that Boo is the one that helped them out. Boo sits by his window and can see everything out of that window. That is why he comes out and helps because he is always watching what is going on. The rumors point out that Boo is a bad guy, but in the end, he is an affectionate person. I think that people should not judge others without getting to know them first.

Rumors are always around. There are rumors that people are the center of, rumors that others have created, and also rumors that people decide to do nothing about. Rumors are big conflicts in today’s society. This is related to how rumors are a big part of the main plot in the story. In the end, most of the rumors seem to not be true, but a little part about them still floats around. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, instances occur where conflicts have to do with rumors, just as in the world today.

References:

1. Lee, Harper. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” HarperCollins, 1960.

2. Merriam-Webster. “Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor.

3. Ziegler, Taryn. “The Psychological Impact of Rumors.” Psychology Today, 16 Jan. 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/complicated-love/201901/the-psychological-impact-rumors.

4. Johnson, Catherine. “Gossip, Rumors and the Power to Ostracize.” Psych Central, 17 May 2016, psychcentral.com/blog/gossip-rumors-and-the-power-to-ostracize/.

5. Trueman, Carl. “To Kill a Mockingbird – Characters.” History Learning Site, www.historylearningsite.co.uk/brave_new_world_cast_huxley.html.

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