How Does Lee Use Literary Techniques In To Kill A Mockingbird
In her novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee has used various literary techniques to position the reader’s attitudes in relation to prejudice within the society of Maycomb. Through use of perspective, characterisation and symbolism, Lee highlights that prejudice is developed through life experiences and the surrounding influences, while emphasizing the damaging effect it can have on innocent individuals and society as a whole. A fundamental element of the novel is the author’s use of young Jean Louise Finch (Scout) as a narrator, as it is through the dramatization of Scout’s transition from a perspective of childhood innocence that Lee critiques the role of class status and, ultimately, prejudice in human interaction. Similarly, the characterisation
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Throughout the novel the mockingbird is a symbol of innocence, of goodness and pure heart that contrasts starkly with the social prejudice and the lack of empathy present in the majority of characters. This is established by Miss Maudie in her explanation as to why Atticus said it’s a sin to shoot mockingbirds: "Mockingbirds don't … eat up people's gardens, don't nest in cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us"(p.49). The symbolism is further reinforced when Mr Underwood likens Tom’s death ‘to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters’ in the Maycomb Tribune; thus further positioning readers to understand that regardless of how solid Atticus’ case was, Tom never had a chance – his innocence was destroyed by the prejudice of society (p.128). Similarly, Scout states that putting Boo Radley on trial would be “sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird” for he is pure of heart and to go “draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight… that’s a sin” (p.126). Through the mockingbird symbol, readers are positioned to understand the destructive nature of prejudice and the threat it poses to
Throughout the novel the mockingbird is a symbol of innocence, of goodness and pure heart that contrasts starkly with the social prejudice and the lack of empathy present in the majority of characters. This is established by Miss Maudie in her explanation as to why Atticus said it’s a sin to shoot mockingbirds: "Mockingbirds don't … eat up people's gardens, don't nest in cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us"(p.49). The symbolism is further reinforced when Mr Underwood likens Tom’s death ‘to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters’ in the Maycomb Tribune; thus further positioning readers to understand that regardless of how solid Atticus’ case was, Tom never had a chance – his innocence was destroyed by the prejudice of society (p.128). Similarly, Scout states that putting Boo Radley on trial would be “sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird” for he is pure of heart and to go “draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight… that’s a sin” (p.126). Through the mockingbird symbol, readers are positioned to understand the destructive nature of prejudice and the threat it poses to