“Self-respect guides our morals; respect for others guides our behavior” – Laurence Sterne. This quote from Laurence Sterne represents the overall idea of ​​respect and equality in To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee creates events that demonstrate respect, which will be analyzed in this essay. For example, when Atticus was willing to accept Tom Robinson's case and defend him because he is a man with respect and dignity even towards people of different races. It doesn't matter how they are characterized or how people imagine them or the color of their skin is different. Another event, when Calpurnia teaches Scout how to show her respect and manners and how to show it to people despite how conflicting they are. In the end, when Jean Louise and Jem stop harassing Boo Radley after seeing what he really is like as a person. In TKAM, Lee sets the story in the 1930s. Lee sets up Jean Louise as the narrator of the plot from her point of view but also as the daughter of Atticus Finch. Jean Louise, who likes to use the nickname Scout, tells inside information about Tom Robinson who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, resulting in a life and death trial. From careful examination of all three events in the document, In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee uses the concept of respect for others and the need for respect for each other unlike human races, to lead to the first step towards 'equality. Additionally, Atticus Finch is a great example of respect and equality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout the novel, Lee uses Atticus as a symbol of respect and equality against the racism that Maycomb County is made up of. In Chapter 9, Atticus was given a criminal case about a black man, Tom Robinson, raping a white girl. This case gets out of hand, when in chapter 11, Mr. Cunningham and the rest of the lynch mob members go to Tom Robinson's cell to take revenge on him, considering that there has been an accusation of taking advantage of someone who is “superior” by comparison it is not. As soon as Lynch arrives outside Tom Robinson's cell, Atticus rises from his chair to defend him by being faithful and pledging that doing what is right is inevitable. Atticus symbolizes that everyone must treat each other fairly. What makes him a symbol of respect and equality because he is a fair person. Just by doing his job, Atticus attempts to change the closed-mindedness of the residents of Maycomb, making them respectful and welcoming towards blacks since this is a city of injustice. He hopes to make a huge impact on his city. He hopes that the people of Maycomb will see the good and accept that they should be given equal rights regarding their race. These reasons characterize Atticus as a devoted father and influencer. Just like Atticus, Calpurnia tries to maintain respect for the people in the house, no matter how much they differ. Throughout the novel, the reader begins to understand that Calpurnia plays a dominant role in enlightening the children, especially Scout, causing the reader to observe her more as a mother figure to Jem and Scout. Life for black Americans in the 1930s was difficult. There were a series of laws that separated blacks from whites. They received less and treated them miserably. They couldn't be at the same level of greatness as whites, always five times worse and they were forced to show respect to whites, and if they didn't there were consequences. However, Calpurnia has experiences of what it is like to not be recognized by the citizens or receive.