Preview

To kill a mocking bird

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
675 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To kill a mocking bird
To whom this letter may concern, I believe that the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee should be nominated for the ‘Premier’s Book of the Year Award’. The novel has helped me shape an understanding of myself, others, and the world around me. Through various themes, that Lee has portrayed throughout the novel I have gained a greater knowledge about the various themes and techniques, such as: The loss of innocence, Racism, and the symbol of the Mockingbird. As I will explain in detail below and hope to help, you understand why this novel deserves this prestigious award.
Lee has greatly explored the loss of innocence in both Jem and Scout throughout the novel. In the first half of the novel, it mainly focuses on the children and their early innocence. The second half of the novel focuses on how the children's relaxed life is slowly interrupted by adult problems. However, by the end of the novel, especially the court case, Jem seems to lose his innocence. As he is older, he becomes more aware of the world around him and the injustice that corrupts his world. Scout is still young and oblivious to the way her world exists and does not yet acknowledge the evil that corrupts it. This is perceived when Scout talks down a mob outside the courthouse without even realising that her actions could cause severe consequences. Therefore, this shows that Jem and Scout lose their innocence at different times, while being greatly explored throughout the book.
In Maycomb county Racism was a huge issue, the ‘whites’ and the ‘blacks’ were segregated, like many places in the 30’s. Throughout the novel Scout explores the differences between both races. Jem and Scout both attended church with Calpurnia, getting to experience their lives and how different it was from their own: “There was no sign of piano, organ, hymn-books, church programs-the familiar ecclesiastical impedimenta we saw every Sunday”. Both races were not permitted to interact with each other in a public

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The main effect of Shay’s Rebellion was that the states sent delegates to Philadelphia to rewrite the Articles of Confederation because many leaders were frightened, people were upset by the Articles, and they wanted to prevent further rebellions. To begin, the states sent delegates to Philadelphia because Shay’s Rebellion frightened many wealthy leaders by showing them that even a small rebellion could accomplish a lot. These wealthy leaders worried what the poor people could do if they all united, because in the French revolution, the poor rebelled against the wealthy and decapitated them. In addition, Shay’s rebellion showed how unhappy people were with the Articles, which encouraged the states to send delegates to rewrite the Articles in…

    • 182 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters in Maycomb, Alabama, illustrate how it takes more than just a father and a brother, but a town, for one child to grow up. Scout is six years old, at the beginning of the book. She is whiney, and fidgety, and can hold a grudge for as long as she can hold her temper. By the end of the novel, Scout is about eight years old, and has moved on from her ways of childhood behavior, into a more adult-like attitude. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird, really maps out Scout’s changing from a young child to a more structured young lady. It shows the theme of how Scout is taught to move from innocence to adulthood. This theme is shown greatly through the relationship of Atticus and his children, and how he devotes himself to building up a civil mind and attitude in Scout and Jem. The times when the children are at school display Atticus’s effective teaching to his children. For example, in school, Scout is constantly confronted for knowing too much, by the teachers, whose cool attitudes towards the children are dark, and overly judgmental. In chapter two, of To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Caroline scolds Scout for being able to read when she says, “Now you tell your father not to…

    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mocking Bird

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The theme of courage In 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was published. It is a story about growing up, human dignity and prejudgment. It is a story about courage. Courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. The theme of courage is embodied in the characters of the novel. Courage is apparent in Atticus, Boo, and Jem. Throughout the novel, the actions and feelings these characters exhibit shows the true meaning of courage. Atticus Finch is a studious man with a sense of morality that no other character in the book comes close to matching. Atticus’ behavior is governed by reason, morals and values- not cheap popularity. In the novel, Atticus takes on the Tom Robinson case. When asked about the reason he takes on this case, Atticus simply relies, “But do you think I could face my children otherwise?” This is truly an act of admirable courage because he goes against all odds of the prejudice town and takes on this case. Atticus is harassed and tormented by the town for taking on the case. Yet he would rather be taunted than to go against his morals. This is courageous of him because he performs this courageous act and expects nothing in return. By taking on this case, Atticus is harassed by Bob Ewell. When Bob spits in Atticus’ face, all Atticus says is, “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco.” Instead of sinking to Bob Ewells’ level, Attics takes the harassment and takes it with his head held high. This ability to withstand harassment from Bob Ewell, and Maycomb, is courage. Atticus shoots Tim Johnson- a “mad dog” with rabies. Atticus places his own life in danger in order to protect the lives of others. This event occurs at the perfect time in the story, just as the kids label Atticus as being “feeble: he was nearly 50.” Shooting Tim Johnson proves to the children Atticus is anything but feeble, he is indeed courageous. As the reader can clearly…

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At a young age, children enjoy playing with their siblings and friends. They have a very good imagination, which they use to role play. However, as they start to mature and turn into teenagers, they become less interested in these games. Jem, in the beginning of the novel, is open and is the leader of the games he played with his sister and friend. As he is grows up and is forced to confront mature situations, such as the Tom Robinson case, he becomes less interested in the games. This is shown when Jem breaks the ‘remaining code of our childhood’, according to Scout. Jem told Atticus that Dill was hiding under Scouts bed. The act of responsibility marks Jem’s maturation toward adulthood. Scout is disappointed in Jem as he is losing…

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus, is an honest white man who is defending an innocent Negro man, although he is frowned upon by others. The white folks of Maycomb County think that they have a higher social status than the black community, and that the views of a Negro does not matter. The most blatant example of racism in the novel is when Tom Robinson was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell. Although the people of the town know that Tom Robinson was innocent, the jury still saw him as guilty because he is an African American man, and would never be able to win over a white man. This jury ruling causes both those who encouraged Robinson’s conviction and those who were convinced of his innocence to question their views of justice and fairness. This decision forces Scout and Jem to confront the fact that the beliefs that Atticus has taught them cannot always be accustomed with the reality of the world and the evils of human nature. Even their neighbor, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, who the children are scared of, is racist and calls Atticus a "nigger-lover" to his children. The children despise of her and “hated her. If she was on the porch when [they] passed, [they] would be raked by her wrathful gaze, subjected to ruthless interrogation regarding our behavior, and given a melancholy prediction on what [they] would amount to when [they] grew up, which was always nothing”…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 302 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Atticus teaches his children the extremely important golden rule. He basically says, “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” as Jesus told us many many years ago. The reason that prompts his words is when Scout comes home from her first day of school. She is complaining about her teacher, Miss Caroline, and Walter Cunningham until he stops her. He is trying to help Scout consider that there might be a reason that nobody can see for way people act the way they do. Wayne Dyer says “You get treated in life the way you teach people to treat.” People may have been taught to treat other people differently than they were treated, and all one can do is try to understand where they are coming from. Atticus hopes his children will learn to treat people with respect all the time no matter what they person is doing to them. His words do have effects on his children because Scout becomes upset at Jem for not talking to her, and she decides to “jump into his skin,” and she backs off.…

    • 302 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mocking Bird

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages

    "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). Atticus Finch says these words to his daughter, Scout, after he elucidates to her why it is important to not be quick to judge a book by its cover . In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird, the main conflicts are centered around prejudice. In the tiny town of Maycomb, everybody is set on tradition and there is no room for oddity. Atticus Finch breaks down the walls that everybody else builds up about first and lasting impressions, slowly but surely. Atticus Finch is a discreet example of practicing equality because he espouses the outcasts of Maycomb.…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Who in To Kill a Mockingbird is a good father, a good lawyer and a good citizen? Atticus is a great father in many ways. One example would be his style of discipline, meaning that he tries to lead Scout and Jem through a discussion to see what it is that they have done wrong and why it is wrong. As a lawyer, during the case of Tom Robinson, Atticus does all that he could to prove Tom’s innocence’s. Lastly, as a good citizen, Atticus is known to be very respectful, like when he helps Ms.Dubose with her addiction. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch’s influence on his daughter Scout is made clear through the importance he places on education, the admirable ways he practices law, and through his effective interactions with Maycomb residents.…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Due to the time period Scout and Jem are living in, as well as the circumstances of living within Maycomb, the children are vastly exposed to racial discrimination. To Kill a Mockingbird was set in the 1930 – 1940 era; a time when racism was very prominent. During this time there remained a very real threat to the safety and opportunities of African-Americans in the United States. One event that occurred in Scout’s childhood greatly affected her realization to the prominence of racism in Maycomb. This event being when Scout was confronted by her peers about her father. Cecil Jacob’s, one of the students at school talks about Atticus in a derogatory manner, “he had announced in the schoolyard the day before the Scout’s daddy defended niggers”. (Lee 99) This occasion, and others like it, triggers Scout’s realization to the fact that Atticus’ choice to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro, is looked down upon by the people living in Maycomb. Another time that Scout and Jem were introduced to racism was when they were brought to the First Purchase African M.E Church. When they first arrived Lula says to them, “You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here—they got their church, we got our'n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?” (158) This shows significance that that the white people are not welcomed at the black church. This was a shock for Scout and Jem because even in a place as sacred as a church there is still…

    • 1223 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    to kill a mocking bird

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The "rigid and time honoured code" of society was that, while, white people could employ and even exploit African-Americans, there could be no personal relationship between African-Americans and whites and no recognition that African-Americans had the same reactions and feelings as white people. Further, there was an evil assumption "that all Blackslie, that all Blacks are basically immoral beings". They certainly did not have the benefit of then To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus' says "Mayella has merely broken a rigid and time honoured code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with..."…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Mockingbirds are birds that does one thing; Making music for us to enjoy and nothing else to harm us. In the remarkable novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird is used as symbolism for real people. Including the human mockingbirds, the novel represents other pieces of the prejudice such as racism and hypocrisy. In the little town of Maycomb in its 1930¡¯s, the prejudice was an accepted concept for every individual and Atticus even called it a ¡®disease¡¯ of the town. This time-honored perception, prejudice, was very distinctly shown in the novel from its characters and the society. Prejudice does not seem like a such a big deal in the novel as it actually is now…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    to kill a mocking bird

    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Instructions: Multiple Choice Questions: Each of the multiple choice questions or incomplete statements below is followed by suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case.

Free Response Questions: Respond to the questions in the text boxes provided. In answering questions, you should emphasize the line of reasoning that generated your results; it is not enough to list the results of your analysis. Include correctly labeled diagrams, if useful or required, in explaining your answers. A correctly labeled diagram must have all axes and curves clearly labeled and must show directional changes. Clearly label each part of the answer. Only text that is included in the text boxes will be scored. Diagrams, if required, should be sent to your instructor via e-mail or fax.…

    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages

    “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). It’s a sin because all mockingbirds do is sing and bring joy to the world. All Tom Robinson tried to do was help Mayella Ewell and bring a little joy to her life and she accused him of rape. Harper Lee’s novel tells the story of two children, Scout and Jem Finch, as they come-of-age in Depression-era Alabama. The children quickly grow up as they witness their father defend a black man accused of raping a white woman even though he has no chance of winning. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee uses the characterization of Mayella Ewell’s guilt, loneliness, and fear as a source of motivation to accuse an innocent man of rape; this shows the reader that good and evil exist together.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man.” (272) this quote from chapter 20 just shows how racist and prejudiced the town Maycomb was. The society just cannot accept that a white woman likes a black man. The words illustrate a major theme in the novel that of the existence of social inequality. In my written evaluation I plan to discuss a main character and at least one of the novels central themes.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Courageous people are the individuals that are influential and our role models. These people are known to be brave, confident and gallant. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout understand the true nature of courage by observing many characters in the novel who clearly demonstrate this theme. Courage is shown through the actions of Mrs. Dubose, Arthur (Boo) Radley and most importantly Atticus.…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics