Introduction
Contemporary society is marred with social vices like racism, male chauvinism, and gender discrimination. Different authors communicate and protest against the evils through books and films. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird conveys the themes of prejudice, family life, and courage. Although the book is one of the most banned books in high schools, it is significant among the students. The book enlightens the students on racial prejudice and justice. The character choice of the author encourages the women in society as drivers of change. The book communicates the truth about knowledge and education: actual knowledge does not always come from formal classroom education. High and middle school students can develop social awareness and creative thinking upon reading the book. Therefore, To Kill a Mocking Bird should be encouraged in high and middle schools since it creates social awareness and inspires creativity among the students.
Film Summary
To Kill a Mocking Bird is an American drama film based on Harper Lee’s book, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ The film features Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, and Scout Finch as the main characters. The narration is set in a fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, where Atticus Finch raises his two children, Jem Finch and Scout Finch (Robert et al., 2020). Atticus is a lawyer whose life philosophy is that everyone deserves fair treatment and defends what they believe in (Robert et al., 2020). Consequently, he accepts the controversial rape case of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white girl (Robert et al., 2020). The issue affects his children, who experience schoolyard taunts. Despite Atticus’ convincing arguments, the court finds Tom guilty, but he is killed on his transfer to prison. To Kill a Mockingbird features social prejudices meted out against the black in American society and the impact of racial discrimination on justice and law. The film’s theme is significant among high school and middle school students since it communicates common social issues.
The Film Protest Against Social Vices
Racial discrimination is one of the most outspoken social vices in American society. The film is centered around a rape case against a black man, Tom Robinson. The main character, Atticus, takes up Robinson’s case since he believes in fair treatment and non-discrimination based on skin color. Although Atticus presents a substantive argument in defense of Robinson, he is found guilty and killed during his transfer to prison (Robert et al., 2020). The case is a typical example of the difficulties faced by African Americans and other minorities in contemporary society. Racial discrimination is a significant issue that every society member should be aware of, except for high school and middle school students (Anderson et al., 2021). Through the film, the students learn the significant causes of racism and its effects. For instance, their schoolmates are prejudiced because Atticus’ children defend a black man. Consequently, the students can relate to the impact of racism and become agents of change by protesting against it. To Kill a Mockingbird emancipates the students from racism, making them good members of society.
The Film Encourages Bravery
Social institutions like courts drive positive social change that society members can emulate. The legal system is portrayed as prejudicial against black people in the film. In Maycomb, justice is only served to the whites while the blacks are discriminated against. However, Atticus Finch goes beyond the odds and defends Tom Robinson, accused of rape. Although his family is discriminated against for his actions, Atticus frantically proves Tom Robinson’s innocence. Tom is found guilty and sentenced, but Atticus is appreciated and celebrated by the black community in Maycomb (Robert et al.,2020). The film encourages the students to remain brave amidst untrusted societal institutions. The students learn effective behavioral mechanisms in the contemporary unjust society through the film.
The Film Encourages Non-Formal Education
Formal education imparts knowledge among the learners, but sometimes it can be useless. Meanwhile, informal education encourages critical thinking and creativity among the students. The film depicts how social vices like racism can corrupt well-educated society members. For instance, a teacher at Scout’s school is more focused on perpetuating ignorance and bigotry than teaching critical skills and factual information (Robert et al., 2020). The students at the school taunt the Finch family despite being taught necessary social skills. Scout reads on her own and learns new skills at home, and learns to embrace prejudice and hatred. The students at the school learn more from Atticus and Boo Radley than in school. Although formal education imparts knowledge, non-formal education encourages critical thinking through real-life experiences (Mwanza & Changwe, 2021). Therefore, the book encourages learning outside the formal education systems. Upon watching the film, the high school students learn how to embrace their life experiences and learn from them. Therefore, the film encourages creativity among the students and discourages them from embracing social vices taught in an immoral society.
Conclusion
To Kill a Mockingbird is significant among high school students. The film is centered around social vices precipitated by racism. The film’s main characters, Atticus Finch and Scout Finch, are classic examples of courageous persons. The movie teaches the students how to embrace fair treatment and abhor racism in the community. Furthermore, the film highlights the impact of non-formal education, crucial among students. Therefore, To Kill a Mockingbird should be encouraged among high schoolers since it encourages bravery, social change, and non-formal education.
References
Anderson, L. A., O’Brien Caughy, M., & Owen, M. T. (2021). “The Talk” and parenting while Black in America: centering race, resistance, and refuge. Journal of Black Psychology, 00957984211034294.
Mwanza, C., & Changwe, R. (2021). Indigenisation of the School Curriculum: connecting classroom and community experiences. Multidisciplinary Journal of Language and Social Sciences Education (2664-083X, Online ISSN: Print ISSN: 2616-4736), 4(1), 125-136.
Robert, M., Gregory, P., Paul, F., Robert, D., & Rosemary, M. (Directors). (2020). To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)[Film]. Lake Shore Classic Movies.