A Time To Kill [ Movie Analysis ] Essay, Research Paper
& # 8220 ; A Time To Kill & # 8221 ; Tradition is a invaluable constituent to any civilization, as it has been shaped and
developed by clip itself. Tradition base on ballss from coevals to coevals, exerting
its influence through the actions and ideas of a people. The tradition that
has materialized from the history of the American South is no different. It
remains a pillar of hope, religion, and pride for those Southerners who embrace
it. Tradition of the South dictates a manner life with roots in the really foundation
of the United States. While this may move as a testament to the strength and
bravery of the people of the South, the fact remains that the rules laid
down by this tradition defy civil rights and regard for humanity. In this sense,
the old ways of the South do non congratulate the rapid alterations that occur in
society each twenty-four hours. At bosom, this realisation is the overall subject of & # 8220 ; A Time
To Kill & # 8221 ; . The strong beliefs of the South are damaging to the civility of the
human race and yet, remain unchanged after 150 old ages because they rise from
the tradition of the Southern civilization.
The realisation listed above hangouts each of the chief characters in & # 8220 ; A Time
To Kill & # 8221 ; as the narrative of racial unfairness unfolds. Centered around the brutal
colza and assault of a immature black miss, Tanya Hailey, & # 8220 ; A Time To Kill & # 8221 ; immerses
itself into the intense emotions that are involved in hatred. The colza, committed
by two white work forces, epitomizes this blind hatred that stems from the racism of
the South. Influenced by the hurting of his loss, Tanya & # 8217 ; s male parent, Carl Lee Hailey,
ciliums out in a passionate province of requital, murdering both attackers. Charged
with two counts of slaying in the first grade, Carl Lee is trapped in a judicial
system that is greatly swayed by the racism of the universe beyond. He is assigned
the immature and idealistic Jake Brigance, as lead council, one of the few white
Southerners who believes that he is still able to have a just test. The
incident becomes a platform for societal call, as white and black, hapless and
privileged take a base for what they believe in. The emotional tenseness and
societal hurt heightens as Ellen Roark, an energetic Boston jurisprudence pupil, comes
to Jake & # 8217 ; s aid. They seem to be a really lost few among the environing
hatred of the South. As test returns, it tears the community apart with contention,
and takes its toll on the lives of all those involved. The most important
relationship in this distorted narrative is that of Jake and Carl Lee, for they are
forced to happen a manner to exceed their cardinal differences and work together
for the same cause, equal justness. Somehow, this justness is found, as an evidently
partial jury hunts deep within to bring forth a compassionate finding of fact of & # 8220 ; non
guilty & # 8221 ; .
& # 8220 ; A Time To Kill & # 8221 ; was both dramatic and accurate in its word picture of a little
southern community. Prevalent throughout & # 8220 ; A Time To Kill & # 8221 ; is the presence of
the Ku Klux Klan, both as an counter force and as the incarnation of blind
hatred that existed in the signifier of racism in Mississippi at the clip. This modern
presence has been the root of many offenses of hatred and racism. Conversely,
the NAACP? s presence in resistance to the Ku Klux Klan is important, yet its
true nature and power was non shown ; instead the film focuses on the interracial
relationship and its impact in a southern society, in which equality is vague.
It is apparent that the manufacturers of this film genuinely understand the mechanics
of modern society in this regard. Finally, ? A Time To Kill? , faces segregation
caput on, exposing its psychological effects on a society of the South, and
its judicial system. Today, about 40 old ages after the civil rights motion
made the first stairss towards racial equality, segregation remains a portion of
humanity that we must all face.
& # 8220 ; A Time To Kill & # 8221 ; speaks to all people, versed and unversed in the hate of
racism. Above all, it calls the person to analyze their strong beliefs, and
so inquire themself if they have sought the merely rules for life. Jake Brigance
articulately calls the jury to conceive of the Acts of the Apostless brought upon Tanya in these concluding
words, & # 8220 ; Can you see her? Her raped, beaten, broken organic structure, soaked in their piss,
soaked in their seeds, soaked in her blood, left to decease. Can you see her? I
privation you to visualize that small miss. Now imagine she & # 8217 ; s white. & # 8221 ; This films
serves as a reminder that in regulating our state, and finally in life
our lives, we must look past race, colour and credo, and seek equality in its
purest signifiers. If this can non be done in the present, it can non be a hope for
the hereafter.
Newton, Michael, And Judy Ann Newton. The Ku Klux Klan: An Encyclopedia.
Garland, 1991.
Harris, Jacqueline L. History And Achievement Of The NAACP. Franklin Watts,
1992.
Haskins, James S. Separate But Not Equal: The Dream and the Struggle. Scholastic,
1997.
A Time To Kill. Dir. Joel Schumacher. Perf. Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock,
Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey. Warner Brothers. 1996.
