Context Essay - Encountering Conflict - HELP!

[annacwl]

The prompt is: "Conflict is the struggle between the powerful and the powerless"

What can I write about? (The related text is To Kill A Mockingbird) Please give me a few ideas or a few sentences to help me get started!

Thank you!

[greenbeans]

Oh wow, huge topic! I studied your novel in Year 11 and not Year 12, but nevertheless from what I can remember there's HEAPS you can talk about.

A very obvious starting point is to address the racial discrimination in the novel. Who has the power? Who is powerless? How is this decided? Don't just point out in your essay (doesn't matter whether you're doing expository, persuasive or creative) that there was a lack of equality between the races - explain WHY! Provide background on this reason. It will make your piece more sophisticated.

Now, who challenged the norms of equality and power? I think that Atticus is a prime example for standing up for what he believes in. See how Scout views Atticus and what she takes in as being acceptable or wrong in society. Does she challenge or question these norms? How is her world view filtered through Atticus? What role does Boo Radley play? I will let you do the thinking for yourself because your answers need to be personal and fresh, but hopefully that will get the ball rolling for you.

Best of luck.

[annacwl]

Okay thank you so much! I've managed to start on the essay but now I'm stuck again lol. So far I've done my intro and talked a bit about racism and that's about it and I don't really know how to elaborate on it.

What do you mean when you say 'who challenged the norms of equality and power'? I am a bit confused because what is the 'norms'? Also, how does all this relate to conflict?

I know I should be thinking for myself but I can't seem to think of anything.........

[greenbeans]

Sorry annacwl, not sure how I missed your reply!

The "norm" - thanks to my trusty Pocket Oxford - means the standard, type, pattern, customary behaviour, etc. What I mean by that is, who challenged what is supposed to be the normal behaviours or (even stereotypical) expectations?

Atticus is not only challenging the norms of his society by the specific work he does (correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I've read the novel, but doesn't he stand up for someone who's African American?) but he's also subtely teaching his daughter, Scout, to not view the world as everybody else in that neighbourhood seems to. He's teaching her how to make up her own mind. Harper Lee is very clever in showing us this by using a child narrator. Imagine if the narrator were an adult. Their world-view would already be prejudiced by their own life experiences and other people's opinions.

How exactly is this related to conflict, you ask? Well conflict is defined as a state of opposition, a fight, a struggle, clashing of opposed interests, principles, etc. (cheers again, Oxford!) Here you have Atticus' principles (or you could use the word 'beliefs') being opposed by the members of the public. There is plenty of opposition in the entire town. As your question says, "Conflict is the struggle between the powerful and the powerless". So think about who struggles in the novel. Who struggles with their beliefs? Who are the outsiders?

This is a brief summary of the main characters:
http://www.novelguide.com/tokillamockingbird/characterprofiles.html

If you would like more assistance or you need clarification, let me know, I'm happy to help