Going Against The Status Quo in Literature Essay Example

Has there ever been a moment in your life where you knew you should do the right thing yet, you were scared of what others would think? Doing what's right isn't always the easiest thing to do yet, it is still what is correct.Furthermore, when having to decide what is right or wrong is one’s conscience and moral code is coming into question.”Sometimes, in order to follow our moral compass and/or our hearts, we have to make unpopular decisions or stand up for what we believe in.”(Coffey).When one decides to go against what society deems okay there is a lot on the line. Whether it’s losing friends, going to jail, or your reputation is ruined. Throughout American Literature one can see the characters struggle with going against the status quo.. In the novels, “ To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. One can see the main characters come face to face with a moral decision.Although going along with societal trends tends to be what is easiest rather than going against them. American Literature has shown going against the status quo creates a much-needed change as well as creating role models for generations to admire, therefore one of the most important lessons American Literature teaches is the value of going against what society deems right. Often characters in American Literature have shown how going against the status quo creates a much-needed change.In the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus Finch does the correct thing as a lawyer despite others hating him for it and the societal issues that arose from it. One can see that in this example of Atticus going against the status quo.During the 1930s’ in the south racism was prevalent. Often referred to in the book as “Maycomb's usual disease “( Lee 117).A black man, whose name is Tom Robinson, is being tried for the crime of rape.At this time it would be “right” for Atticus to refuse to be Toms lawyer. Yet, he believed he should take on the case to help out Tom so he agreed to be his lawyer. He did this because he believed Tom was truly innocent and being accused just because he was black.One can see Atticus is unlike the other townspeople. Even referred to as having a “blind spot” (MacKethan).This further shows that Atticus chooses to do the right thing while fully knowing the possible outcomes of defending Tom. Atticus, who has a good moral compass, agreed because he knew that it was right. He also knew that Tom did not rape Miss Mayella so even furthermore he felt the deep need to be his lawyer. He subjected himself as well as his children to bullying as well as losing respect from others. Despite others being hateful others fully respected the Finches for being brave to do what is right. Atticus says, “No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat”(Lee 76).This further shows that what people say about you are just words. One cannot let it affect them especially when you are doing the right thing. Atticus' actions helped ignite the much needed change in Maycomb. In American Literature characters can also serve as role models. In the novel, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Dimmesdale faces the challenge of making the morally correct decision despite the public backlash he would receive. One can see that Arthur's actions created a role model for the Puritans as well as creating role models for future generations.In Puritan times adultery was a crime. Arthur and Hester began an affair and Hester became pregnant with their daughter Pearl. Arthur for most of the novel didn’t claim Pearl as his own. He is also the leader of the church so this would be more shameful for him. The treatment Hester received by the townspeople was evil. They said her daughter was from the devil and continually picked on her and her daughter as well as putting Hester in jail. Arthur saw all of this, so he knew what his consequences would be as well. Despite this, at the very end while Pearl and Hester are in front of the whole town he goes up and claims Hester and Pearl. By claiming Pearl as his daughter, this gave Pearl the love she hasn’t received. By Arthur doing this, he demonstrated that despite staying quiet to do fear of the repercussions, he did choose the correct thing to do.“As a minister, Dimmesdale has a voice that consoles and an ability to sway audiences. His congregation adores him and his parishioners seek his advice. As a minister, Dimmesdale must be above reproach, and there is no question that he excels at his profession and enjoys a reputation among his congregation and other ministers. His soul aside, he does good work. His ministry aids people in leading good lives. If he publicly confesses, he loses his ability to be effective in this regard”(CliffNotes).Arthur’s conscience was slowly yet surely catching up to him. He could’ve stayed silent in public and claimed them in private. Yet, it was wrong, it was okay to do during Puritan times.By him deciding to claim Pearl publicly on the scaffold, “resolution took place before the assembled townspeople, the Puritan elders have no power to judge or punish in this situation. Instead, Dimmesdale serves as his prosecutor and judge”(“The Scarlet Letter.” Sparknotes).By him going against the status quo it showed others that making the correct moral decision is better than what others think of you and your reputation. These actions could now empower others to stand up for themselves and others, therefore creating a role model for future generations. In contrast, one can see that going along with the status quo can be the easier despite it sometimes being wrong.In the novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, by Mark Twain, Huck’s black friend Jim is trying to escape captivity, Huck is faced with the decision to help his friend or report him. One can see that in this case, it would have been much easier for Huck to choose not to help his friend Jim anymore “My conscience got to stirring me up hotter than ever, until at last, I say to it, ‘Let up on me – it ain’t too late, yet – I’ll paddle ashore at the first light, and tell’(“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” 105).The novel is set in the south during the 1830’s-1840’s racism was prevalent. Huck knows that Jim, who is black, is trying to escape the captivity.. He knows he can help him with his escape or stop helping him and even report him. Aiding a black person in escaping could get you put in jail. The easiest choice is to stop helping him. Yet, morally Huck knows this is wrong. Huck decided to keep helping Jim, which is a lot harder than if he didn’t assist Jim in escaping.. Due to this, Huck had to go on the run and face mobs and many people who are trying to get him and Jim. If Huck decided not to, he could've stayed in town and kept exploring and having fun as a kid. Now, he is on the run and is in fear that if people realize he helped Jim that he could be put in jail. Not only that but many people would hate Huck now. Along with that, Huck lost his childlike innocence due to helping Jim. Yes, Huck did do the right thing. Yet, it would have been so much easier for him to not help Jim at all. One can see that going against the status quo is more difficult. In conclusion, when it comes to making a difficult decision it can be very overwhelming and exhausting. Especially, when it refers to going against what society and what others say that you should do. It can be very terrifying to go out on a limb and do what is right when others might not expect or want that. A Bible verse that works well with this topic is 1 Peter 3:14. It says, “ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be threatened.”Once again American Literature teaches one many important values. The most important is going against the status quo even though it might be the right thing to do is more difficult. It prompts the need for change as well as inspiring future generations to look back upon the heroes in the stories' actions.

Works Cited Page:

MacKethan, Lucinda. “The Moral Vision of Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ – Lesson Plan.” America in Class, 24 Feb. 2021, https://americainclass.org/the-moral-vision-of-atticus-finch/ 

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1219448?ref=moral-decisions 

Metcalf, Rosamund. Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird. York Press, 1990. 

Bloom, Harold. Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Bloom's Literary Criticism, 2007. 

Taylor, John, and John Taylor. The Bible. Printed by Fay & Davison, 1978. 

“The Scarlet Letter.” Arthur Dimmesdale, https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/s/the-scarlet-letter/character-analysis/arthur-dimmesdale. 

“The Scarlet Letter.” Sparknotes, SparkNotes, https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet/section13/