To Kill A Mockingbird Conscience Analysis
At first glance, it is about two children and their childish adventures; but turn the page, this disguised chapter book showcases many underlying themes and wise wisdom many adults fall culprit to not following. The realistic fiction novel written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mocking Bird, revolves around a young girl, struggling to deceiver right and wrong in a town too open share opinions about hard times and harsh topics. Leading up to the pivotal trial in the story, Scout, questioning her father’s motive for defending Tom, the accused black man, receives Atticus’s insight that “’the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience’” (Lee 120). Throughout the novel, Lee cultivates the idea of consciences through characters
…show more content…
For instance, the eve before the pivotal trial, Atticus sits at the entrance of the jail, “propped against the front door as a solitary light” for Tom’s sake (171). By comparing Atticus to a “solitary light,” Lee symbolizes Atticus is the hope Tom needs like a light is needed for people to see in the dark. Because of his protection of the innocent until proven guilty, Atticus depicts his awareness of Tom’s state and his willingness to put his own life at risk for the truth others are resisting to see. In contrast, “shadows became substance as light revealed solid shapes” moving towards Atticus who was waiting patiently for their arrival in the light (171). This description of “shadows” becoming visible, reveals a sense of darkness and a guilt-ridden factor as only the guilty lurk in the darkness. The implied guilt of the men, who were the shadows, brings to light one’s need to separate right from wrong through Lee’s imagery of darkness. Lastly, pleading for his children to leave, Atticus witness Jem standing his ground as he “was not [even] thinking of budging” (173). Jem’s defiance by not “thinking” of budging contradicts from his earlier obedience to follow every instruction Atticus gave him, symbolizing a child’s awareness. Jem’s value of his father’s demands is not prevalent because he is following what he deems as correct
For instance, the eve before the pivotal trial, Atticus sits at the entrance of the jail, “propped against the front door as a solitary light” for Tom’s sake (171). By comparing Atticus to a “solitary light,” Lee symbolizes Atticus is the hope Tom needs like a light is needed for people to see in the dark. Because of his protection of the innocent until proven guilty, Atticus depicts his awareness of Tom’s state and his willingness to put his own life at risk for the truth others are resisting to see. In contrast, “shadows became substance as light revealed solid shapes” moving towards Atticus who was waiting patiently for their arrival in the light (171). This description of “shadows” becoming visible, reveals a sense of darkness and a guilt-ridden factor as only the guilty lurk in the darkness. The implied guilt of the men, who were the shadows, brings to light one’s need to separate right from wrong through Lee’s imagery of darkness. Lastly, pleading for his children to leave, Atticus witness Jem standing his ground as he “was not [even] thinking of budging” (173). Jem’s defiance by not “thinking” of budging contradicts from his earlier obedience to follow every instruction Atticus gave him, symbolizing a child’s awareness. Jem’s value of his father’s demands is not prevalent because he is following what he deems as correct