Similarities Between If And To Kill A Mocking Bird

Throughout the term we have been studying the novel “To Kill A Mocking Bird” for this opinion piece i will be comparing the novel to Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If”. There are lots of morals and ideas that are represented and can be tied between the two pieces of writing. Some of these ideas and themes include symbolism of equality, overcoming obstacles, taking risks, and courage. I will be discussing how these themes are shown throughout both the novel and poem.

The main idea of “If” is to be able to find the perfect balance, where you can understand things, but not have them control you. Its to find the golden mean, where you can be the best person possible. For example a couplet from stanza one reads:
“If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for your doubting too”
In the book Atticus is put on to defend a black man. Because of the time the book is set, there is large amount of discrimination and hate towards blacks. People think that it is wrong for a white man to help a black man rather than his own race. This is what Atticus and his family go through while defending Tom. The reason why this relates to the line above is because Atticus knows that he will be teased for defending a black man. But instead of starting fights or violence, he ignores these people. He trust himself that he will do his best to defend this man, but he lets other people doubt and mock him. He also asks his children to be resilient. Even though he know he is not likely to win the case, he trusts himself to do the best job possible, even when others tease