Unnecessary Conflict in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay Example

Whether people deliberately choose to not recognize the truth or not, all conflicts start with a misunderstanding. However, there are copious ways a misunderstanding can occur. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee there are three main kinds. Several people don’t understand how their actions impact other individuals. Others may know what society is telling them to do is not right, but they stay silent. And some just compose their own ‘truth’ and turn a blind eye to everything else.  

A lack of social mindfulness is one of the most common causes of misunderstandings, as well as the root of the majority of conflicts in life. Although social differences can be intriguing and beautiful when properly acknowledged and accepted, ignorance of them makes it simple for people to unintentionally offend each other. People are so intent on assisting that they overlook the possibility that their 'assistance' will backfire. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Caroline is perplexed as to why Walter Cunningham won’t accept the lunch money she provided him. Attempting to explain the problem, Scout states, “You’re shamin’ him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can’t use any stovewood” pg 26. Given that Miss Caroline punished Scout for her attempt to clarify, information alone will not avoid conflict if they are reluctant to adjust their behavior accordingly.

Nearly all racism stems from a refusal to tolerate social disparities. Most individuals are incapable of seeing eye to eye with anybody who either differs from them or is considered unworthy by society. Harper Lee coveys this point through the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson. During Tom’s trial, Jem says there's no way any jury can convict Tom from what they have listened to, and Reverend’s response was “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man…” pg 238. The jury didn’t vote in Tom’s favor—not because he committed the crime, but because he was deemed less worthy by society than the white man who claims Tom is guilty. Racial injustice is caused by people who believe they are entitled to certain things because of the color of their skin. In reality, their skin color is just a color. It doesn't have the power to deem anyone more or less worthy than others.

People ought to be less self-centered to avoid unnecessary conflict caused by mistaken assumptions. In any case, numerous people are frightened to look at things closely for fear of finding they are wrong. At the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus reads a book to Scout, The Grey Ghost, Scout murmurs “.... Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things... Atticus, he was real nice….” when he finished. In response to her comment, Atticus whispers “Most individuals are, Scout, when you finally see them.” Atticus whispered. If all everyone accepts is their point of view, it's difficult to apprehend why other people act the way they do. Although some people are simply unwilling to recognize their flaws and alter their ways even if they know they are wrong. So they form and shape each situation until it fits their way of doing things.

In conclusion, most conflicts in life are avoidable if people are willing to acknowledge and correct their mistakes. Like the wrongness of treating people poorly just because they have a different skin color. Most importantly they must accept the truth whether it fits their view or not. As long as people are unable to accept the hard truth, they won’t notice their faults resulting in no change on their side. Without truth, there is no righting the wrong.