Influence of Stereotypes in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay e

IntroductionSection matchless Harper Lees LifeSection Two Time Period Influences on Lees WritingSection Three Influence of StereotypesSection Four To eat up a Mockingbird ReviewsConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionWhich doll is better? In the 1950s, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark asked black children between three and seven to answer this simple, yet unveil question. The kids were shown four dolls that were exactly the same except for their skin colors. Almost three quarters of the children chose the white doll as being superior and attributed positive characteristics to it. When asked why they picked it, they replied with, Because its white (Abagond). Almost half a century later, in 2005, Kiri Davis repeated the test to see if psychology has changed in any way. Results show 71% of the children preferring the white doll (Edne). These tests demonstrate the incredible stereotypical beliefs still present today. The belief that there is only one acceptable perception to anything i s ingrained into familiaritys minds, and limits individuals from thinking for themselves. Author Harper Lee explores this topic as she displays to readers prevalent stereotypes and their effects in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird.Section One Harper Lees LifeHarper Lee was born April 28th, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. Lees father, Amasa Coleman (A.C.) Lee, was a former newspaper editor who served as a state senator and lawyer. Due to his occupations, A.C. had a tremendous influence on her writing. Not only is A.C. a writer just like Lee but, the principal(prenominal) character in Lees novel, Scout Finches, father, Atticus, also practices law. Atticus defends a black man accused of raping a white woman who is instal guilty and murdered. Simil... ...ompany, 1960.McLeod, Saul. Asch Experiment. SimplyPsychology. N.p., 2008. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. .Pauli, Michelle. Harper Lee Tops Librarians Must-read List. Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 02 Mar. 2006. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.POLL F INDS WHITES USE STEREOTYPES. The New York Times. The New York Times, 10 Jan. 1991. Web. 09 Feb. 2014. .The Scottsboro Case The Nation. The Scottsboro Case The Nation. N.p., 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 09 Feb. 2014. .Shmoop newspaper column Team. Harper Lee Childhood. Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 08 Feb. 2014. .Teen Help Blog. Teen Help Blog. N.p., 28 Dec. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.