What do you know about the Internal Conflict In To Kill A Mockingbird? “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a novel that addresses many serious issues, such as racism and internal conflict.
The story set in the 1930s was in the deep south of America, where racism was still very much alive and well. Scout, the main character, grows up in a society plagued by prejudice and hatred.
She witnesses the terrible things that her community does to innocent people just because they are different. Despite all this, Scout retains her compassion and innocence throughout the novel. She learns to deal with the internal conflict within her conscience as she tries to make sense of the world around her.
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What is internal conflict, and how does it manifest in characters’ thoughts and actions throughout the novel?
Internal conflict is a struggle within a character’s mind, influencing their thoughts and actions. In “To Kill A Mockingbird,”
Scout undergoes internal conflict as she tries to understand what it is that people are so afraid of. She cannot grasp why her neighbors treat others so cruelly because they have darker skin. Scout holds very strong views on equality and is a strong advocate for those harmed.
However, as she grows older, Scout begins to see that not everyone agrees with her opinions. Many people think just as badly as the neighbors do about those different from themselves.
Scout Finch’s struggle between following her father’s strict moral code,
Scout Finch’s struggle between following her father’s strict moral code, and beginning to notice the inconsistencies in her own beliefs, eventually causes her to question everything she ever thought she knew.
Author Harper Lee intended for the reader to realize that Scout undergoes an inner struggle over time as she changes from a young, carefree girl into a wary and thoughtful young adult.
Lee wants the reader to notice that when Scout is undergoing this transition, her father’s morals begin to influence her more than those of her childhood hero, Atticus Finch.
Scout catches as she grows older that the moral code Atticus lives by is not always right or enough. She sees how he struggles with his internal conflict when Tom Robinson is accused of rape, and Atticus takes on the case.
Scout also notices that the people in their town do not approve of what her father is doing. She learns from her father how it feels to be a black man in a society where everyone thinks they are beneath them.
Jem Finch’s struggle with his feelings of guilt and responsibility towards his sister Scout,
Jem Finch’s struggle with his feelings of guilt and responsibility towards his sister Scout is another visible example of internal conflict in “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Jem feels that he failed to protect Scout when the mad dog attacked them. He blames himself for what happened because he was supposed to be looking after her at the time.
His feelings of guilt influence his thoughts and actions, but he also attempts to hide them from Scout. He tries to protect her when they return to school in the fall, even though she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Jem’s internal conflict causes him to act in ways that are not typical for a boy his age; he hides his true feelings from Scout to avoid upsetting her.
Harper Lee wanted the reader to see Jem’s struggles because it adds an extra dimension to his character. She wants the reader to realize that Jem is not just a normal boy for his age; he also acts as a protector figure towards Scout.
Atticus Finch’s internal conflict between doing what is right and protecting those he loves,
Atticus Finch’s internal conflict between doing what is right and protecting those he loves also causes him to act in ways that are not typical for a man his age.
Atticus’ only concern is acting with honor and promoting equality, but this often causes friction between himself and the people of Maycomb County.
They do not share the same views as he does and therefore do not want him defending Tom Robinson.
Atticus struggles with the idea of disclosing to Jem and Scout why people are so against him taking on the case, but this is another internal conflict that goes unresolved because it causes too much upset for them to understand.
Boo Radley’s internal conflict is between staying hidden away from the world or coming out into the open to help others.
Boo Radley’s internal conflict between staying hidden away from the world or coming out into the open to help others is evident in “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Boo witnesses many terrible events during his childhood and decides that hiding away from society is best for him.
He does not want anyone to hurt him, and the only way he can do this is by staying hidden away from everyone. Boo’s internal conflict causes him to disengage even further with society, creating a problem when the mad dog attacks Jem and Scout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Examples Of Internal Conflict?
When a character is experiencing an internal struggle with themselves, this is known as internal conflict. Characters are likely to have internal disputes when dealing with many different things at once or problems within their relationships.
What Is The Main Internal Conflict In The Story?
The main internal conflict of “To Kill A Mockingbird” is that Atticus Finch must convince the jury to see past Tom Robinson’s skin color and realize that he is innocent of the crimes he had been charged with. He does not want to be guilty of sending an innocent man to jail, but there are many obstacles in his way.
What Is Jem’s Internal Conflict?
Jem’s internal conflict is between doing what he considers right or protecting those he loves. He feels guilty about not protecting Scout when the mad dog was after them but did not want her to know this. Jem struggles with the fact that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson because it causes so much tension in Maycomb County.
What Are 2 Conflicts In To Kill A Mockingbird?
Some examples of conflict in “To Kill A Mockingbird” are between man versus man, man versus nature, and man versus himself.
Final Verdict: Internal Conflict In To Kill A Mockingbird
Internal conflict is a major theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Scout, Jem, and Atticus Finch all experience types of internal conflict as they try to understand the world around them.
- -Scout must deal with her feelings of anger and betrayal towards her father when she learns he will be defending a black man accused of rape.
- -Jem struggles with his need to protect his sister and maintain his image of strength in the face of danger.
- -Atticus wrestles with the knowledge that he may not be able to save Tom Robinson from execution, despite his best efforts.
-All three characters must come to terms with their own biases and prejudices to find peace within themselves.
