blog




  • Essay / Dill's realization of the consequences of prejudice to kill a mockingbird

    Often, there is no greater power that influences an individual's development than their environment. It is a person's society that establishes what is generally accepted and how one acts within that society. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee develops the idea that an individual's perspective on their world can transform due to the circumstances they are exposed to in their environment. Dill's character demonstrates this idea well, as he evolves significantly throughout the story. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Charles Baker Harris, commonly known as Dill in Lee Harper's novel, is a character with a bit of perspective. This is due to being young and not exposed to the different truths of life. As a result, he has predisposed ideas about people and is closed-minded. When he hears the rumors about Boo Radley, he reacts with childish fascination and believes every word. His little retreat does not yet allow him to question life points. Additionally, with this fascination, he becomes determined to persuade Boo Radley to leave his home without worrying about how this might terrorize Boo Radley. It is obvious at first that his childish ways make him determined and willing to believe what others have to say. His physical size compared to Jem and Scout represents how small his perspective is compared to theirs. Scout and Jem are taller than him, as are their outlooks. They are more open-minded than him. Scout states that “he was a year older than me but I towered over him” (9). At the beginning of this book, Dill has a child's innocence, energy, and wonder at his surroundings. In the first chapters of the story, Scout says that "beautiful things floated around her dreaming head." He could read two books more than mine, but he preferred the magic of his own inventions” (144). From the way Scout describes his nature, it is evident that he is an intelligent and imaginative child. Additionally, in the story he allows his imagination to overpower him when it comes to Boo Radley. Dill lets the stories get the better of his head and he becomes fascinated by the ghost described to him, which once again proves his childish innocence as he is willing to listen without question to the prejudices from before. Dill's lack of exposure to the true consequences of an unquestioning attitude allows him to maintain a light, carefree view of the world. Before the trial, he is still naive towards the darker parts of the world like racism. changes when conflict arises in the form of Tom Robinson's trial. Before this, he shows no signs of concern regarding prejudiced actions towards others. For example, in the early chapters of the novel, he continually plots to terrorize Boo Radley. , and has an obsession with him. Before attending the trial, Dill never admits that actions that dehumanize a person can have cruel effects on that person. For example, he doesn't consider the impact his storylines might have on Boo Radley. Previously, Dill only cared about others for his own benefit. However, seeing Tom Robinson being talked down to by Mr. Gilmer triggers a change within Dill. Mr. Gilmer's lack of courtesy is evident to Tom Robinson when he refers to Tom as "boy" instead of "sir" and snickers at every question. Dill's recognition of this causes him to cry and become frustrated. In the trial, this reaction shows how his environment.