To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel and a film that takes place in a fictional town called Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird is about a black man named Tom Robinson who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch serves as Tom Robinson’s defense lawyer to prove his innocence. Tom Robinson did not actually commit this rape, and he was wrongfully convicted by a racist jury. When he was awaiting his execution for rape, he attempts to escape prison and is shot in the back by guards seventeen times. Tom Robinson dies from his wounds. To Kill a Mockingbird deals with identity, power, and injustice problems throughout its story.
Atticus Finch has an influence on his daughter Scout’s identity. Scout learns from her father to never judge someone unless she knows the reasoning behind their actions. Atticus shows Scout while representing Tom Robinson to respect innocence. From her father’s guidance, Scout better understands how to interact with people. Power in To Kill a Mockingbird plays an important role in the plot. Atticus Finch has power as Tom Robinson’s lawyer; he uses this power to try to save a wrongfully accused man of a crime he did not commit. Even though Atticus does not win the case, he still shows power from his influence on the jury. He influenced the jury to look at Tom Robinson’s case again. Injustice is extremely prominent in this story. Tom Robinson faces the most injustice out of the characters in the story. A racist jury found him guilty, and he never received the justice he deserved when he was shot while escaping. The legal system failed him and shows the flaws within the system.
I believe the author Harper Lee wanted his audience to take away the idea of not judging someone right away. You do not always know all the facts. We also should protect the innocent and stand up against injustices. Identity, power, and injustice are crucial in society.