To Kill A Mocking Bird As A Bildungsroman Analysis

To Kill a Mocking Bird as a Bildungsroman Fiction is non-fiction for the reader. Although fiction means the story never actually happened, in a way, it did for the reader. Reading a fiction novel is an experience one can gain knowledge from, regardless of if it is a true story. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman not only for the characters in the book, but also for the reader. The book encompasses Scout and Jem Finch’s lives as they mature, learn from their father, Atticus, and understand the ways of their hometown, Maycomb County, Alabama. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee functions as a bildungsroman for the reader because it depicts Scout’s moral and social education as she realizes she misjudges Boo Radley,
In particular, when asked by Atticus if she understands why they are keeping Bob Ewell’s murder a secret, she replies that “It’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 370). She recognizes that letting out the news that Boo saved the children, his solitude would be invaded when all he wants is to keep Scout and Jem safe. Scout sees that this would be the equivalent of killing him—a mockingbird. The reader grasps the idea that a mockingbird is a persecuted innocent. This perfectly describes Boo because he only has good intentions. <ADD READER ANALYSIS. Scout also learns from Atticus that even though some people seem to be evil, “Most people are [real nice]… when you finally see them” (Lee 376). He teaches Scout appearances mean nothing, and once one truly gets to know someone, they are usually not so bad. Underneath the intimidating mask, there could be a kind-hearted person. Scout’s understanding of these moral lessons also help the reader learn a valuable lesson. The reader, in a way, is living through her experiences as if they were their own. Her curiosity in people’s social behavior makes the reader think like Scout on what these lessons truly mean. Atticus is not only a teacher to Scout, but also to the
Reading her thought process throughout all the events she experiences allows the reader to learn lessons along with Scout. Also, it shows Scout’s drastic development as a character. The reader lives vicariously through Scout’s experiences. She realizes Boo Radley is a kind-hearted person, learns the meaning of her father’s lessons, and learns the world is filled with many evils. These realizations become some of Scout’s most important morals she lives by. The reader sees her thoughts as she learns each lesson, giving them a much deeper understanding of the importance of these