A discussion essay on the topic: According to the racial issues reflected in the novel, discuss whether the book should be taught in American schools( especially primary schools).
Very weird topic. Can someone share some ideas with me? Thanks!
Not at all a weird topic.
Primary schools--?? Definitely not. The vocabulary is too advanced for young children. The issues are also not appropriate for them.
Secondary schools--definitely yes. Kids can't learn about issues like racism and justice without being exposed to them. Only with the guidance of knowledgeable adults, in a safe environment of discussion, can kids learn where these issues come from and feel comfortable asking questions and forming their own consciences.
Copnsider the use of the "n" word in the novel. Fools might think the very presence of such a word renders a novel unfit for children and teens. That is nonsense. They NEED to see the word in use by characters (i.e. not by real people) so that they can examine its use and discuss it. In this novel, certain people use the word--ignorant, racist people--and others like Atticus Finch and his his children do not. This can be discussed in the classroom as readers discover that not all people were racist at that time and place. Miss Maudie and others are also not racist. Link Deas employs blacks and refers to Tom as a "boy," yet he defends Helen and threatens to get Bob Ewell on the Ladies' Law for harassing her. Others like Cunninghams and Nathan Radley are clearly racist.
We can also examine the setting of the novel and reflect on how much has changed (or not changed) since that time. Without exposure to that time and place and very realistic story, how can kids come to understand the progress (or lack theref) we've made in our country with regard to race relations?
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