Movie Analysis Essay on A Time to Kill: Exploring Racism Through Fiction & Film

Introduction

Joseph Grisham's novel provided concepts that created the movie A Time to Kill which allows the audience to view the issue of racism from the perspectives of both the black and white man. There are race concepts that the movie did not illustrate an accurate manner. The film provides ways in which racism affects people living in the south and its evolution.

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The story begins with an inhumane incident were two white men known as Billy Ray and Pete kidnaped and raped a 10-year-old black girl called Tonya then disposing of the body. The film shows that they assaulted and disrespected the young girl due to her race. Billy Ray and Pete drove a truck that had a confederate flag hanging which illustrates the aspect of stereotypical rednecks. The characters' interaction with a black shopkeeper indicates the presence of racism in Canton. It is because they despised and treated the man in an unfriendly manner. The movie illustrates that white people had more privileged in terms of resources such as money than the black community. For example, the environment of the black-owned shop indicates the issue of poverty while a white man known as Jake lived in a well-structured house in a good neighborhood and his friend called Harry Rex owned a convertible car. The film illustrates the presence of differences in the financial state due to race.

Billy and Pete called sheriff words such as nigger since he was black. It indicates that they are racists who did not respect the official due to his race. Billy and Pete got arrested in a white bar since the place had a confederate flag. The movie symbolizes the aspect of racial segregation. It is because the sheriff warned the rapists that he will integrate the jail when they cause trouble. It shows that they separated criminals in terms of race. Lawyer Jake and Buckley believed that they could not get a fair trial in the current court since it had an all-white jury. The lawyer explained to the daughter's father that without black members they would not win the case. It is because the jury who favor the side of the rapists hence no sympathy vote. It indicates that jury members still focused on the aspect of the race during court proceedings. The lawyer tried to change the venue of the court proceedings to avoid the all-white jury but he did not succeed. It symbolizes that the judicial system did not consider the impact of race differences.

The film indicates the negative effects of racism. It caused the death and injuries of various characters. After Carl Lee realizes that justice would not prevail in his daughter's case due to the aspect of racism. He decided to go to the courtroom with a gun and killed both of the rapists and injured Deputy Dwayne. It illustrates that racism can frustrate people into committing wrong actions. After Jake started to represent Carl after he killed the rapists, he received criticism and rejection from his community. The lawyer noted that there was decrease in the number of cases and amount of money received in the firm. Billy Ray's brother decided to seek revenge for his death with the help of the Klan. They began to target the lawyer where they assaulted his family also secretary and her husband also burned his house. The movie indicates how the social aspect impacted the life of the lawyer by destroying his properties and torturing his family. The group assaulted one of the students known as Ellen helping Jake with the case. They beat and hanged her naked from a tree. It was an act of punishment since she was assisting in the release of the daughter's father It shows that the white people saw her actions as a betrayal to their community.

The movie shows the impact that time did on the issue of racism. It is because the town voted for a black sheriff even though the majority of the population was white people.

The film indicates that characters such as Cobb did not have respect for the lives of the black people. It is because he and his friends started a racially associated riot to cause killings and injuries to the black community. Cobb mentioned that the riot will ensure that white people remain the main determinants of the nation's destiny. The movie indicates that there is an improvement in the aspect of race differences. It is because the lawyer who represented Tonya's father was a white man. He decided to provide legal counsel and guidance to the individual despite the difference in race. Jake faced a lot of challenges after taking the case. It did not make him run way from the case. It illustrates that the white man had to make sacrifices to ensure justice and freedom gets restored to a black man. The white jury set free Carl Lee after his lawyer provided them with the story from another perspective. It indicates that the white community started to admit that they can make mistakes.

The film does not provide the right information on how to deal with race. The characters portrayed violence which caused more harm to the Mississippi community. It is important to note that people should avoid violence actions since it undermines racial equality and understanding in the community. It is important to note that the movie mentions Martin Luther King Jr. during a scene. The film is on the side of the minority population hence it justifies the actions of Carl Lee. It is against the message of Martin Luther King Jr. who emphasizes the importance of peace through nonviolence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the movie indicates the impact of racism in minority populations such as the black community in Mississippi. The movie provides details on how the aspect of race evolved over the years and its effects on the community. For example, it caused the death of innocent people such as Jake's secretary lost his husband during a violent incident which led him to getting a stroke which led to his death. The film did not provide the correct message on how to deal with race differences. It is because the characters got involved in violent activities to restore peace. Their actions led to the killings and injuries of many people within the community.