Is ‘Fear’ the reason behind all-Senseless killing and Racism

Is 'Fear' the reason behind all Senseless killing and Racism? Is fear the reason behind the errors and mistakes that have occurred in our lives? Jacques Benigne Bossuet quotes...

. "The greatest weakness of all is the great fear of appearing weak", which is identified in the Senseless killing that, has taken place. Is the greatest fear of all human beings the fear of appearing weak? Fear by definition is a 'distress or alarm caused by impending danger or pain; feel of anxiety or being afraid of something. ' In the three texts that we have studied..

..The novel: To kill a Mockingbird, The Film: The Power of One and The Short Story: A way of talking all exploit the issue of 'Fear' behind Senseless killing and Racism that has taken place within the text. Senseless killing through fear is not only physical but it is also both emotional and spiritual, which may appear in racial and prejudice forms. History is an example that has given us insight to 'fear' and the errors it has caused. It has been responsible for the annihilation of a nation.

The decay of traditional values/morals and beliefs. The enslavement of many.The manifestation of hatred oppressed upon people within a community. All fall into the category of 'Fear'. In the novel; 'To kill a mockingbird', author Harper Lee exploits the issue of fear through the eyes of an 8 year old girl named 'Scout'.

She manipulates the situation through the discrimination of people against people such as e. g. Tom Robinson, Boo Radley based on their skin colour, physical and psychological disadvantages and social positions . Tom Robinson a black man who is crippled has been convicted of raping a white girl (Mayella Ewell) and is found 'guilty' in the eyes of the Maycomb jury.

He is later shot by the Prison Guards while trying to escape the Enfield Prison Farm. Mr B. B Underwood's Editorial in the Tribune likens Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of mockingbirds by hunter's and children. Harper Lee cleverly writes this editorial through Mr Underwood's (who is a known racist) perspective of the Maycomb Community. She underscores the town's immaturity and callousness when it comes to the racial issues.

Boo Radley is another victim of Senseless killing (though it is not physical). Boo Radley is psychologically disadvantaged and is discriminated against within the Maycomb Society.A child, who was emotionally damaged by his father, locked up in his house Boo was seen as a mere superstition by the children. Boo is an important symbol of innocence overshadowed by the creepiness leaving gifts for Scout and Jem and emerged at a single moment to save them.

Despite his hurt and pain he fits the description of a mockingbird... quote: "Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. " That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.

"Your father's right," she said. Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. " based upon the disadvantages of both our mockingbirds.

Both victims injured by the evil of mankind and are considered mockingbirds. Tom Robinson is an important symbol of innocence slaughtered by evil. Harper Lee uses the connection between the mockingbirds and the Senseless killing many times throughout the book. Senseless killing has been demonstrated through 'fear'.Fear of change.

Fear of accepting differences. Fearing Fear itself...

. uote: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". The residents greatest fear was the fear of appearing weak which is evidently shown through the judgements they made, was responsible for the Senseless killing. On September 13, 2001 approximately 3 years ago pizza delivery man Michael Choy had been murdered.

A man aged 40, had received a phone call from Rawiri, 17 (who has been convicted of manslaughter, attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated robbery) who had placed on order for 2 pizza's to be delivered in Papakura.When he arrived to the identified place he was ambushed, robbed and severely beaten to death with a baseball bat and died on his way to hospital. Six teenagers were convicted of the murder and manslaughter. All who were convicted were enslaved by 'fear'...

. (quote), "Why did you do it"... " At the time I thought it was cool.

I just did it to show how tough I was. I didn't want to be seen as a fagot"....

Peihopa; 16 (who was convicted of manslaughter).