Category: Harper Lee

Harper Lees book To Kill a Mocking Bird is famous in the American literature for its humor and warmth in communicating serious issues of racial inequalities and rape. The story is told during the Great Depression with the main protagonist Scout Finch living with her older brother Jeremy Jem Finch, their father Atticus Finch, and their black cook, Calpurnia. Scout is intelligent and she has firm faith on their communitys goodness; this faith is hugely tested during the trial of Tom Robinson.

On the other hand, Jem is an example of the common and typical American child who does not back down on any challenge. Jem feels too old for his sister to bother him and this change of attitude dismays the young scout. Focusing on chapters 13 through to chapter 18, this paper will analyze Jems character, his growing maturity, as well as his growing awareness on matters of prejudice.

In the course of chapters 13 to 18, Jem significantly grows from a child to a playful child to a composed, calm, and mature person just like his father. In these chapters, Jems growing maturity is evident; at the beginning he used to be a constant playmate of Scouts but after realizing that he is four years older than Scout, he separates himself from her usual games.

These changes in Jem are explained by their cook as he claims that Jem does not want Scout pestering him (Lee, 2010). As a result, Calpurnia starts referring to Jem as Mister Jem a title that is only used to refer to adults.

All the same, Jems maturity is shown by his maintenance of a close relationship with his sister. He remains his sisters close companion and offers her protection throughout the rest of the story. According to Lee, Jem develops a maddening air of wisdom as described by his sister Scout; these changes annoy Scout but the adults around them do understand Jem (2010).

As the story progresses, Jem enters the adolescence stage where his ideals are put into trial and shaken especially during the Tom Robinson trial.

During the trial, Jem perceives the legal system as unjust and his entrance to adolescence makes the situation more complicated and also traumatic. During this point in his life, Jem becomes disillusioned after realizing that justice hardly prevails. Although the injustice leaves Jem confused and quite vulnerable, he still believes in the commitment towards justice as instilled to him by Atticus.

After the case, Jem concludes that there are four kinds of folks in the world, the ordinary kind like us, the kinds like the Cunningham, the kinds like the Ewell, and the Negroes (Lee, 2010). This assumption portrays Jem as a wise mature person who understands the community well. Making such an observation shows that Jem is wise and has the knowledge to understand the ideas of racism in the community.

At this point in life, Jem possesses moral courage rather than the childish courage he once had such that he could never back down on any dare. As Jem matures, he becomes more aware of the feelings of the other people around him. At the beginning, Jem used to ridicule Boo Radley but when he loses his prejudice against him and starts appreciate him.

To thank Boo Radley, Jem insists give Boo Radley a note. Jem sympathizes with Radley especially after their communication with him are cut; Jem tells his dad that Boo Radley aint ever harmed us, he aint ever hurt us (Lee, 2010).

In conclusion, chapters 13 to 18 illustrate how Jem develops from a playful boy to a mature person who overcomes many obstacles in life. These obstacles make Jem stronger and prepare him better to face serious issues pertaining justice in the society. From his experiences, Jem has a changed perspective and view of the society portraying his maturity and awareness of prejudice.

Reference

Lee, Harper. (2010). To Kill A Mocking Bird. USA: HarperCollins.

“Prejudice is the child of ignorance” (William Hazlitt). In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee describes Maycomb, the town the story takes place in, where white people are prejudiced in all ways possible. Although everyone in Maycomb is prejudiced and rude towards black people, Harper Lee tries to show the reader the light by showing how the people in the Maycomb county slowly turn away from prejudiced decisions. In her book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee utilizes the current setting and the character traits to show the role of prejudice throughout the peoples’ lives and how it damages their current life.

Boo Radley isolates himself from the residents of Maycomb. Boo stays in his home all day, everyday. People say that Boo “went out at night time when the moon was once down, and peeped in windows… any stealthy small crimes dedicated in Maycomb had been his work” (9). If he chooses to go outside, he will be treated like an alien because of his weird ways. Boo stays inside his house because he is aware that his society will make fun of him. After being invisible for so many years, Boo is also mentally challenged. He has forgotten his social skills. The city decides what he does inside his home. The city would blame or accuse Boo for any little crime or unexplained phenomenon. The city depicts Boo Radley as a monster in their society when he is simply a man who made one error. This is a place where prejudice has lodged itself into one person’s life so much that they are scared to meet the society.

Another person who is the victim of prejudice in the novel is Tom Robinson and black people in general. While the Finches were eating their breakfast, Atticus says, “He despises Negroes, won’t have one near him” (178). The only reason why people do not like other people is because they are the opposite or they just want to fit in the group. The reason is the second one. Scout also displays this. She says she calls black people n^*&%#s. Atticus told her not to because it is not nice. Here Mr. Underwood thinks that black people can not change and that they can not become better than what they are now. If there are some blacks that are financially as good as white people, the view that white people have on them will change. They will not be prejudiced against black people anymore. This is another place where just Negroes get targeted and become a victim of prejudice.

The last person who is a target of prejudice is Atticus Finch.Cecil Jacobs announces in the school yard, “that Scout Finch’s daddy defended n#%%$^s” (85). Atticus Finch was a victim of prejudice because people thought he was a black-lover because he chose to take up this case on himself to save an innocent black man. People like Miss. Maudie Atkinson and his children all telling him to drop the case. At school, Scout is getting into arguments with students like Cecil Jacobs which also gives the town more to gossip about, which decreases the prestige the Finches have. He is being talked about behind his back. Despite Atticus’s good intentions of saving a black man, people are insulting him for doing so. Atticus is another person who’s prestige was affected by prejudice.

In conclusion, Harper Lee uses setting and character traits to display the amount of damage prejudice does The three people, Boo Radley, Negroes, and Atticus Finch are all sufferers of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird. Boo has made one mistake of attacking his own parents which determined his life. Negroes were just not accepted due to their financial status and their history, and Atticus had a good intention but since he defended a Black person, he was called a black lover from then on. What people can learn from this is to give people another chance and to not judge a book by its cover. Most people would want to imitate Jesus. Jesus does give people many chances. From the beginning of Adam and Eve, God has given so many chances to his people to change. Since people want to try to do what God does, they should not think about the person’s history and try to give them chances to become better.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel written by author Harper Lee in 1960, however the time period of the novel is during the 1930’s. The novel uses various different symbols and their meanings to deepen the reader’s understanding and perception of the text, the mocking bird being the most prominent. The novels main focus is on innocence and purity and the transition of this to evil. The symbol of Tim Johnson displays this transition along with the fight against racism. The Radley house also represents this change from good to evil, but also shows the relationship of Boo and his family diminish as well. These symbols although very different, all convey a similar message. This allows Lee to get across the message of innocence to evil in a way more people will understand.

The most prominent and important symbol in To Kill A Mockingbird, is that of the mocking bird itself. The symbol is used by Lee to help the audience understand the innocence and purity that some characters in the novel possess. According to Miss Maudie “Mocking birds don’t do one thing [wrong]” (Pge: 98). That is why “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Pge: 98). To kill a mockingbird refers to killing the innocence someone has. Characters like Tom Robinson and Scout (Jean Louise) Finch both have this innocence and purity at the beginning, but over the course of the book; lose it all. Aunt Alexandra comes to stay with Scout to have some “feminine influence” (Pge: 138) on her and to help her transition into a lady. This exposes Scout to the world and the evils of it at such a young age and diminishes her childlike innocence. Tom Robinson was innocent in the rape case against the Ewell’s. However, because of Maycomb’s ideology that “Negro men are not to be trusted around women” (Pge: 223), the jury comes to the decision that he is guilty, stripping him of his innocence. So, Harper Lee uses the symbol of the mockingbird to give the audience an understanding of a character’s innocence and purity and how quickly and easily it can be stripped away by a society plagued with prejudice.

The Radley house has a very deep, symbolic meaning; representing the change from good to evil. “Inside the [Radley] house lived a malevolent phantom” (Pge: 9) named Boo (Arthur) Radley. Boo was once like any other normal kid innocent and ignorant, but then in an incident where he was in with the wrong crowd; his dad Nathan Radley punished him horribly for it. Boo Radley was not seen again for fifteen years. The Radley house was “Once white with a deep front porch and green shutters, but had long ago darkened to the colour of slate grey yard around it. Rain rotted shingles drooped over the eaves of the verandah” (Pge: 8-9). This description symbolizes Boo’s relationship with his family. The relationship was once perfect like the white house but now has been rotted away to evil. Lee uses the Radley house as another symbol to represent the change from purity and innocence to that of evil.

Harper Lee utilises another symbol in Tim Johnson (the mad dog) as a transition from innocence to evil. A dog is widely known as a symbol for loyalty and friendship. This is what Tim Johnson starts off as, a normal dog; harmless to anyone, but once he has rabies, he becomes harmful to the town of Maycomb. The rabies turn Tim’s innocence and harmlessness into evil and harmfulness. Lee also uses Tim Johnson as a symbol of the fight against racism. The sheriff, Mr Tate is called in to take care of Tim Johnson but says he “can’t shoot well and [Atticus] know[s] it.” (Pge: 104). Mr Tate then throws the gun at Atticus, “The rifle cracked. Tim Johnson leaped [and] flopped over.” (Pge: 104). Atticus turns out to be the only one who can save Maycomb from Tim, just like he is the only one who is able to combat racism and defend Tom Robinson. So, Harper Lee uses Tim Johnson as a symbol for the transition from innocence to evil and also as Tom Robinson and the battle against racism.

Harper Lee uses many different symbols in To Kill A Mockingbird to convey the message of innocence to evil. The symbols of the mockingbird, the Radley house and Tim Johnson are all very different but have a very similar meaning; this being the change from innocence and purity to evil and harmfulness. Lee assists readers in understanding this idea with more symbols rather than just one symbol that only a few people can relate to.

The racist mindsets of people in the 1960s are what composers were attempting to change through their texts. Composers such as Martin Luther King, in his “I have a dream speech” and Harper Lee, author of to kill a mocking bird each successfully used a range of powerful techniques such as language devices and textual features. These techniques effectively engaged audiences to change how they thought about racism.

In To kill a mocking bird, Lee successfully portrays racism through the despised character, Bob Ewell. This challenges audiences to change their mindset of racism. Racism is prejudice or discrimination against a different race in the belief that your own race is superior. Bob Ewell uses crude terminology and low modality language when he accused “that black nigger younder of ruttin’ on my Mayella.” This atrocious terminology and language decreases Toms humane appearance, which shocks the reader and persuades them to feel compassion for Tom and bitterness for Bob. Another instance where Bob Ewell effectively uses offensive terminology and alliteration is when he said “…lived down yonder in that nigger-nest…I’ve asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluin’ my property.” In this, we can see that Harper lee uses alliteration and offensive language to capture the audience’s attention when bob Ewell describes the black people as “dangerous” and where they live to be a “nigger nest”. We can also see that Bob has said that they’re (black people) devaluing his property which is offensive and influences the audience to hate Bob Ewell even more. “that he’d looked through the window, then ran the nigger off.” This quote shows us the offensive terminology of bob Ewell through the first-person view of scout, which gives us first-hand account of the situation. Although it was not uncommon to use this crude terminology back then, in today’s society it is highly looked down on, that is why the audience is disgusted with Bob Ewell’s words. Using these techniques, Harper lee successfully challenges our understanding of racism, she persuades us with her words to think negatively of racism. Therefore, it is apparent that attitudes of racism are challenged through Harper Lee’s novel, To kill a mockingbird

Malcolm X was a man with a mission. In 1963 Malcolm X successfully delivered his powerful message which brought a new idea about how to deal with racism. He convinced many people that his popular opinion, separation, which is to separate each race and not to interact, is the most beneficial option. He did this by effectively using many techniques through-out his speech. “enlightened leaders expect the poor black sheep to intergrade into a society of bloodthirsty white wolves” this quote shows Malcolm X’s powerful metaphor of “Black sheep” and “white wolves” explains the type of society they lived in and gives our modern audience an understanding that the pray (black people) were commonly attacked by the predators (white people). This quote also shows the technique of alliteration which will capture the audience’s attention emphasizing the idea that white people are wolves or predators. Malcolm X uses many rhetorical questions throughout his speech to try and subtly influence the audience. He also uses them to highlight a point and to get the audience thinking, “will these awakened black masses truly revolt and separate themselves completely from the wicked race that has enslaved us?” Although Malcolm X’s plan was never fully put into order, he gave us some amazing and persuading thoughts on racism and challenged the way we thought of racism.

“I have a dream.” These powerful words, spoken by Martin Luther King, showed people in 1963 that there is hope, hope for a society without racism. Where “little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” Throughout King’s entire speech he tried to make his idea of integration clear by using many language techniques. “I have a dream… I have a dream.” in this quote, he has used his most effective technique from his speech, Amplification. He uses the technique of amplification to emphasize his point and make people remember his statement and idea. King uses this technique many times through his speech. Another technique which he used to grab people’s attention is the use of alliteration, “Rise from the dark and desolate…the marvellous new militancy…trials and tribulations….” By using this technique, King focuses the audience’s attention to these words which imprint these words into the audience’s minds. Through the speech, Martin Luther King has successfully contested our understandings of racism through his ideas of integration and has changed society’s way of treating one another.

Overall, composers from the 1960s were very influential in the black movement. Each composer played a vital role in the pursuit to end racism. Although times have changed, the ultimate goal to end racism is far from finished in today’s society. But authors and activists such as Harper Lee, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King have done much to contribute in the ending of racism and they have done so through the use of techniques to challenge our understanding of racism.

From analysing Harper Lee’s renowned novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, it becomes apparent Harper Lee expertly explores and incorporates various themes and values in “TKAM” to challenge societal attitudes. Harper Lee explores various significant themes, formulating her perspective, then cleverly incorporating her perspective through the book’s various ideologies, textual convention and literacy devices. These themes were revolutionising, innovating her controversial book in a revolutionising society experiencing social reformation. Her usage of these themes challenged the prominent societal attitude, influencing the audience’s perspective on society and its fundamental ideologies. The prominent themes, Harper Lee incorporated into “TKAM” are interrelated to racial inequality and morality, being “racial equality leads to social degradation and human nature affects social behaviour and outcomes”.

The prominent ideologies Harper Lee incorporates into “TKAM”, interrelate predominantly to racial inequality and its significant effects on society. Harper Lee explores the concept of racism by formulating and incorporating her interpretation of racism in “TKAM” in several significant symbolic ways. However, the predominant theme introduced to readers is rather ominous and possesses dire warnings, “Prejudice and segregation leads to social degradation and only unity can sustain a society.” The morphodite snowman constructed in Chapter 8 by Scout and Jem is a prominent example of Harper Lee’s creative interpretation, representing symbolic significance. Symbolically, the snowman conceptualises various significant ideologies and values relating to American society during the 1930s, aimed at demographics experiencing social reformation during the 1960s.

The Snowman’s morphodite nature encompasses the various communities inhabiting Maycomb’s fundamental dependence with each other. The snow and mud within the snowman, represent the white and African American population, with their fundamental dependence being interpreted through the mud and snow necessary in forming the snowman. This displays that separation (racial inequality) between these components (population) would consequently result in the deterioration of this bond, thereby resulting in social degradation and disparity. The court trial and racial inequality Tom Robinson experienced between chapters 17 and 21 is a significant occurrence in “TKAM”, building rising tension, consequently impacting “TKAM” climax. The trial’s procedure relates to the symbolic significance of the morphodite snowman. Contextually, the trial was significant in establishing a widening gap in the fragile connection between the 2 communities of Maycomb, building tension thereby resulting in aggressive disparity in Maycomb’s community leading to social degradation. Harper Lee’s incorporation of these themes displayed significant symbolism, encouraging unity and equality, effectively challenging societal attitude by displaying the degradation America would experience, therefore making unity and racial equality necessary to achieve a perfected America. Contradicting the traditionalists’ societal attitude of segregation, Harper Lee effectively contrasted the predominant traditional societal attitude about segregation by introducing and incorporating themes about equality and segregation’s consequences.

Through Harper Lee’s interpretation, another prominent value of “TKAM” relates to morality and human nature, conceptualising the characters and their unique attributes, These characters are mediums Harper Lee uses to represent societal attitudes through their personalities and actions, consequently influencing their interpretation on society. The character’s interaction and action can be equated to the theme “Real Human Nature significantly influences our social behaviour and outcomes”. The Cunninghams are predominant examples of contrasting characters in ideologies and beliefs. The Cunninghams are representations of good-hearted and productive members of society, possessing a proud heritage and symbolising personified justice and racial equality. Harper Lee effectively utilised them as a medium to represent the genuine virtue of human nature, allowing readers to contemplate their human nature. Atticus refers to the Cunninghams as respectable, hard-working and proud individuals, displaying their positivity and commitment. Possessing good mannerisms, The Cunninghams represent genuinely virtuous human nature, being mirrorable characters to Atticus, another kind and respectful individual.

Readers can identify the ideologies and personalities of the Cunninghams and their further involvement in the story through their attributes, with their virtuous nature exemplified during the trial between chapters 20-21. A Cunningham member was the only jury who believed in the innocence of Tom Robinson and was not influenced by prejudiced beliefs. Harper Lee deliberately uses these mediums, to portray her interpretation on society and the ideal American citizen in a revolutionizing social reformative society. Harper Lee’s incorporation of Cunningham’s ideologies and behaviour blatantly contradicted the predominant social attitude towards African Americans, effectively making readers contemplate their decision and attitudes. Harper Lee also displays the integral flaws of America’s proclaimed fundamental ideologies about freedom and equality, challenging societal attitude about patriotism. Contrasting the virtuous Cunninghams, the Ewells are the epitome of scum in society, symbolising trash and being a disgrace on Maycomb’s society due to their condemnable behaviour. Atticus refers to the Ewells as immoral, dishonest, foulmouthed and trash, displaying his disapproval of the Ewells. Many members of Maycomb share the disapproval. Bob Ewell is the predominant representation of an aggressive drunk and patriarchal bastard, committing many atrocities such as sexual harassment, abuse, assault and negligence, becoming more apparent during Chapters 27 and 28. Bob Ewell attempted to assault and murder several residents of Maycomb including Jem and Scout for humiliating him in the court trial. Bob Ewell would have succeeded if not for the invention of Arthur Radley. Harper Lee effectively utilises the Ewells as a medium to express her opinions on traditionalist attitudes towards African Americans and its significant flaws, including the decaying of society and its severe consequences. She also introduces the concepts of justice and disapproval of these individuals, challenging attitudes of racial superiority. Overall Harper Lee contrasted the predominant social attitude on morality by introducing 2 families of contrasting ideologies and their representation of real people.

In conclusion, Harper Lee expertly explores themes revolving around unity and morality, incorporating them through “TKAM” formation through its various attributes to challenge societal attitudes. These attributes represent symbolic significance, formed through the book’s textual convention and literacy devices, effectively challenging traditional and discriminatory societal attitudes towards minority communities by preaching about unity, morality and unforeseeable consequences due to racial inequality. This made “TKAM” controversial in a revolutionising society. Overall, the structure of “TKAM” was effective in incorporating Harper Lee’s interpretation of these themes, allowing Harper Lee to effectively express and explore themes that challenged societal attitudes.

Most teens only read books because they have too in class. They don’t really think about the lessons that come with it. To Kill a Mockingbird is a Novel written by Harper Lee in 1960. In this book you will read about how colored were treated back then and how people can surprise you sometimes. To Kill a Mockingbird is a valuable book to read because till this day some of the things that happen in this book are still going on and it shows you how to treat others with respect even if they may be one of the worst people you’ve met.

To begin, one reason it is valuable to read To Kill a Mockingbird is because it connects to the real world. For example till this day people of color are getting accused of something they didn’t do. Just like how Tom Robbinson was acussed for rapeing Mayella. As the text states, “ ‘What time is it, Reverend?’ he asked. ‘Gettin’ on toward eight.’ ‘Ain’t it a long time?’ I asked him. ‘Sure is Scout,’ he said happily. Judge Taylor was polling in the jury Guilty…Guilty…Guilty…Guilty.’ ‘It ain’t right Atticus,’ said Jem. ‘No son, it’s not right’ “ (Lee ). This shows that even though the judge took a very long time to decide he still chose Mayella’s side over Tom’s. Atticus didn’t volunteer to be Tom’s lawyer and even he knew it wasn’t right. Taking a long time was very rare back then. The judge would usually make up their mind and chose the white person’s side. This leads to the conception that they knew Tom was not guilty but because they didn’t want to receive hate or seem like a trader to the people in Maycomb County by contradicting their own people so they decided Tom would be guilty.

In addition, a second reason it’s valuable to read To Kill a Mockingbird is because it shows respect. For example, when Jem and Scout said “Hi” to Mrs.Dubose and she got mad at Scout then called her ugly Atticus still respected Mrs.Dubose and complimented her flowers. As the text illustrates,” ‘She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentlemen. Whatever she says to you it’s your job not to let her make you mad’ “(Lee 115). This example shows that even though Mrs.Dubose may be rude/disrespectful Atticus still has respect and expects them to as well. This demonstrates respect because it shows that even though Mrs.Dubose was rude he still knew that being nice was the right thing to do rather than talk back to her. Many people don’t seem to understand what respect is these days and with this book they will be able to see it from a different perspective. In the real world learning how to be respectful is an important lesson they will more than likely need in the future.

To conclude two reasons it is valuable to read To Kill A Mockingbird is because it connects to the real world. It also shows us what respect is and what it looks like. This is a book that everyone needs to read because it helps us understand how colored were treated back then. It also makes us start to think differently. Teens will understand the meaning behind books and what they are trying to teach us and reading To Kill a Mockingbird is a good way to start.

The room is silent, as you read the novel To Kill a Mockingbird in complete peace, accompanied by only the sounds of nature beyond your room. The pages glisten in the beams of light through your window, and you are lifted and driven through the vast words on the pages. As you flip through the novel you begin to wonder of the work and process behind such of a piece. Truly a work of art, this novel has been critically acclaimed since its release in 1960. The author of To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee has created a masterpiece, and is visible in her work, and the criticism given to it through it’s many readers.

The author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, has had several different influences that are visible throughout her writing of this great novel. Many involvements as to what has shaped the writing style of this author could be held through information shown in Harper Lee, by Darien Cavanaugh. Childhood experiences have greatly shaped Harper Lee’s literary styles present in this story, as her father was a prominent figure in the Alabama legislature, as well as a very well known lawyer at the time. This as well as other life experiences have helped to shape her novel about racial prejudice in the south. Another influence that had come upon her within her writing was the area of he country that she took residence in. Living in Alabama in the early to mid 1900’s Harper Lee had witnessed several accounts of racial prejudice upon others in her community. Throughout the education of Harper Lee, there is a reoccurring aspect showing as to why she became an author. Throughout the two colleges and universities in which she was enrolled in, Huntington College, as well as the university of Alabama, she took part in writing articles, contributing stories to the college’s literary magazine, along with publishing reviews, editorials, and satirical pieces for the University of Alabama. Finally, there were many writers, as well as friends that influenced Harper Lee over her years of writing. Along with being the research partner of Truman Capote, she was influenced by authors such as Charles Lamb, Robert Luis Stevenson, Jane Austen, and Thomas Love Peacock.

Leading from the influences on Harper Lee’s writing, readers are opened to see how these circumstances have effected the first of Harper Lee’s novels. Through analysis of the nice, a constant reoccurring use of symbolism is used throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. We are also revealed symbolism in the critical analysis paper “Symbolism and Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Adam Smykowski. The common use of symbolism opens with the prime identity of the snowman incident. When snow begins to fall in their town, Jim and Scout come up with the idea to build a snowman (Lee 65). Though when they begin to build the figure, they realize that there is a shortage of snow and must use a foundation of dirt which is found under them (Lee 65). This could be shown through the quotation, “ Jem scooped up an armful of dirt, patted it into a mound on which he added another load, and another load, and another until he had constructed a torso. ‘Jem, I ain’t ever heard of a nigger snowman,’ I said. ‘He won’t be black long,’ he (Jem) grunted” (Lee 65). Instantly as a reader, it becomes visible that through this context of what is occurring it is helping to reveal a large the,e of racism in the plot and in the town in which Jem and Scout live. As a reader, this symbolism shows that at the foundation of everything that we do and the society that is lived in is built off of the African American life and heritage from the early ages of this country. It shows that through the dirt being the foundation, but being covered up by the more peaceful, beautiful snow, which is used to show what America appears to others as on the outside. In the critical analysis paper, “Symbolism and Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Adam Smykowski, it is also revealed that this could be a foreshadow, as it is said that Jem tells Atticus and shows him that the snowman with the dirt as a foundation is just as equal as a regular snowman. Another example of strong symbolism shown in the novel is through that of the title of the novel. The title itself comes from the quote, “Atticus said to Jem one day, ‘I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’” (Lee 90). Adam Smykowski shows the symbolism that the bluejays are the bad and prejudiced of Maycomb county, representing the prejudiced. Along with this he tells that the Mockingbird represents the beauty and innocent.

Through the topic of symbolism in the novel, we are left with the overall analysis of the theme and parts of the novel. Works used during this research include those from the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and the critical analysis works of Darren Felty’s, “An Overview of To Kill a Mockingbird”, along with that of Mary D. Esselman’s, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. To begin with, this novel portrayed a very well thought of and structured, two part plot. This two part plot includes much of part one including Jem’s childhood with Scout and Dill, along with learning between what is right and wrong, good and evil. In part two the idea of Scout’s narration comes into play and introduces new ideas into the story as the plot thickens and begins to revolve around the court case. This two part plot gives a good structure to the novel as we get to see the childish playful side the Jem’s childhood where lessons are learned and we will see get put into use later on within part 2. Along with the two part plot, I felt like as a reader the harsh topics that were discussed throughout the novel were delivered in a peaceful and sensitively given way. Though the topics of racism and the rape that was discussed in the court case are usually come across as de spreading topics, I felt that this novel delivered the ideas through life lessons that were constantly shown to the children. For instance, we can see Atticus teaching lessons through the quote, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee 112). To complete this analysis, it was quotes and lessons such as this one that truthfully opened my eyes to a completely different kind of reading that I was only able to find through this incredible novel.

In conclusion, Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, has created a true masterpiece which is visible in her work, along with the several years off great criticism of the novel. Through my research I discovered many things about Harper Lee, along with was able to further understand To Kill a Mockingbird to its complete extent. I began with learning about what had led to the great writing career of Harper Lee, along with who had influenced her, and what had made her into the writer that she became. Along with that I went to discover of the vast amounts of symbolism that were used in the plot to thicken the lessons given to the chi,Daren, as well as open up different meaning to what was said and discussed. Finally, through my research I was able to write an analysis and review of the story for myself. Flipping through the pages, it was revealed to me that there were lessons flooding the pages and different literary elements that gave a completely new experience for my reading. In the end, I would without a doubt recommend the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird to anyone seeking a novel full of lessons and truth.

Works

1. Darien Cavanaugh. ‘Harper Lee.’ Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Lawrence J. Trudeau, vol. 421, Gale, 2018. Literature Resource Center, Accessed 30 Nov. 2018.
2. Esselman, Mary D. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Children’s Literature Review, edited by Jelena Krstovic, vol. 169, Gale, 2012. Literature Resource Center, Accessed 30 Nov. 2018. Originally published in Beacham’s Guide to Literature for Young Adults, edited by Kirk H. Beetz and Suzanne Niemeyer, vol. 3, Beacham Publishing, Inc., 1990, pp. 1367-1374.
3. Felty, Darren. ‘An overview of To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Literature Resource Center, Gale, 2018. Literature Resource Center, Accessed 30 Nov. 2018.
4. Lee, Harper. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Gale, 2005. Literature Resource Center, Accessed 30 Nov. 2018. Lippincott, 1960. Smykowski, Adam. ‘Symbolism and Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.’
5. Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 194, Gale, 2005. Literature Resource Center, Accessed 30 Nov. 2018. Originally published in Readings on ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, edited by Terry O’Neill, Greenhaven Press, 2000, pp. 52-56.

Society has an influence on everyone, whether they realize it or not. This fact isn’t any less true in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. This book tells a story from the perspective of a young girl named Scout in 1930s Alabama, right in the middle of the Great Depression. In this book, Scout learns several important lessons from her father and witnesses the terrible issues of racism and violence, which were very prevalent in the deep south at this time. Through all this, Scout grows to become a wiser, more matured girl. This book shows not only the development of Scout, but several other characters. A major part in these characters development came from the several influences in their society.

The events in Harper Lee’s childhood and life influenced her to write To Kill A Mockingbird. For example, one of the biggest influences in Harper Lee’s life in writing this book was the Scottsboro Trial, which was a trial in which nine African-American teenagers/young adults were accused of raping two young white women. There was basically little to no evidence of this occurring, yet they were thought by many to be guilty. In other words, because of the Southern racism of that time, nine innocent people’s lives were changed and some ended because of an unfair accusation by two white girls. The author, Harper Lee, illustrates a very similar theme and plot in To Kill A Mockingbird. Like in this story of the Scottsboro Boys, an African-American man is falsely accused of the rape of a white woman. This shows that this trial affected Harper Lee enough to write a book very similar. In the book, Harper Lee makes it obvious that she finds racism terrible and so it seems to me that the Scottsboro Trial was a direct influence on Harper Lee’s writing of this book. There is also evidence in the book itself that suggests that Harper Lee was influenced by her society. For instance, On Page 94, Francais, Scout’s cousin, says: “If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that’s his business, like Grandma says, so it ain’t your fault. I guess it ain’t your fault if Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family…Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you run wild, but how he’s turned out a nigger-lover…He’s ruinin’ the family….” This quote by Francais to Scout basically says that Francais believes that Atticus has ruined the Finch family because of the way he is raising Jem and Scout, and because he is defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape by a white woman. According to Francais, his Grandmother has been telling him this things about Atticus. From this, we can infer a couple things about Harper Lee’s upbringing in the South. In the south at this time, supporting African-Americans as a white American was considered the ruination of a family by some. This may suggest that this could have been the case in Harper’s childhood upbringing, or that she could have seen this in families around her. It can also be interpreted from this evidence that in the deep south at this time, children’s’ main source of gossip and their moral beliefs came from the adults that raise them. This would explain why racism did not fade or completely disappear even to this day. In today’s society, I feel that there is more influences from people and things outside our homes, mostly because of social media. The ways of life in Harper Lee’s society are shown in the way she constructed Francais’ character. As one can see, the events and lifestyles of Harper Lee’s society in her life greatly influenced her writing of this book.

Scout was influenced by Tom Robinson’s trial and other things in her upbringing in ways that shaped her personality and character in To Kill A Mockingbird. This quote on page 24 is a perfect illustration of what Scout was like before she witnesses Tom Robinson’s trial. “You’re shamin’ him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can’t use any stovewood.” After Scout says this, Miss Caroline gets angry at Scout and slapped Scout’s hand with a ruler. In summary, Scout insults Miss Caroline and gets her mad with her. This evidence highlights Scouts immaturity and rash decision-making, as well as her close-mindedness of Miss Caroline’s perspective. In fact, Atticus later teaches Scout of the importance of trying to see things from others perspectives. She was most likely like this partly because of the naturally immature mind. But I believe that the reason she was defending Walter in the first place was because of the influence Atticus had on her in teaching her about fairness and unfairness. Being a judicial worker, it would make sense that Atticus would have a good sense of judgement, and drop off that same sense to his children. An example of how Scout was changed by the trial can be found on page 267. “…I wished I was the Governor of Alabama for one day: I’d let Tom Robinson go so quick the Missionary Society wouldn’t have time to catch its breath.” Scout thinks this to herself during the Missionary Society meeting at the Finches house before it is discovered by Scout that Tom is dead. To summarize, Scout believes Tom is totally innocent and would release him in a heartbeat. This shows several things about how the Trial and events around it influenced Scout. This evidence especially suggests that Scout trusts her father and looks up to him, more so than before she saw him stand up for what is right in the trial. She also learned of the significance of racism and realized from Atticus that racism is wrong. She knew that Tom Robinson was innocent and completely understood what happened in the trial. These pieces of evidence clearly show how Scout was influenced by her society and Tom Robinson’s trial.

Heck Tate was influenced by Tom Robinson’s trial and by his society in To Kill A Mockingbird. For example, on page 190, Heck gave evidence that pointed against Tom Robinson. He basically re-enforced Mayella and Bob Ewell’s stories and accusations against Tom. This shows that Heck’s judgement was clouded, and that he would rather listen to the stories of two white people then find out for himself the truth of what happened. I interpreted this to be reasonable in his case because he was obviously not raised in any other way then most of the southerners of this time. He was prone to be racially biased, probably because he was raised just like any other southern boy. After the trial, it is apparent that Heck’s view on racism has changed. For Instance, on Page 317, Heck said: “Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead.” In other words, Bob Ewell had essentially killed Tom Robinson, and now that Bob is dead, Tom wants no one else to be convicted and accused, to let this murder of Bob to be between Heck and Atticus. This may suggest that Heck now believes that Tom was innocent. Heck does not want Boo Radley to be brought in the limelight and convicted for protecting two innocent children, especially when he knows that Bob kind of deserves to be dead. Heck also knows that he can easily cover up the murder. Heck’s change of heart when it comes to racism and Tom’s trial probably came soon after he heard Atticus’ evidence that defended Tom, as there was no other pieces of evidence after the trial that show a reason for Heck to change. In summary, there was an obvious change in Heck Tate from before and after Tom Robinson’s trial, because of the trial’s influence on him.

Aunt Alexandra was also influenced by the events of this trial. As an illustration of what she was like before the trial, Alexandra said, on page 155, “…You’ve got to do something about her…you’ve let things go on too long, Atticus, too long.” In other words, Alexandra is referring to Calpurnia, and how she (Alexandra) thinks Atticus should release her from her job. Aunt Alexandra says she thinks Scout does not need Calpurnia as an influence in her life. It can be inferred that she is just being racist towards Calpurnia. Alexandra has shown previously, before this, that she is a very stereotypical southern lady, and along with that usually comes a discreet racism, which Alexandra shows in this quote. But, after the trial, it is shown that Aunt Alexandra has changed. An example of this is on page 268, she says, “This is the last straw, Atticus.” She is referring to the murder of Tom Robinson in this quote. This shows that Alexandra is upset with the death of Tom. We can infer from this that she believed Tom to be innocent, and this probably ended her racism. She must have realized, from Tom’s trial, that he was falsely accused, and that it was simply the color of his skin that had him declared guilty. She, like several others in this book, realized the unfairness of racism. After this trial, Alexandra was also more compassionate to her brother Atticus and sympathetic because of the obvious emotional pain he was going through from the trial. She probably sympathized with him because after she realized that her views of African-Americans was wrong, she understood Atticus’s point of view in this case. In conclusion, Aunt Alexandra was greatly influenced by this trial, enough to change her from a racist southern belle to a compassionate, loving sister to Atticus.

Reading To Kill A Mockingbird shaped and influenced my outlook on people and why they act the way they do. Before reading this book my outlook on people was much like Scout’s in the beginning of this book. Scout was close-minded on why people act the way they do, as seen in Chapter 2, when she fought with her school teacher. I used to think similarly to Scout because I, like her, have seen no reason to look at things from other people’s perspectives. But after Atticus explains to Scout why it is important to look at things from others perspectives, I understand why it is important. This is significant because I believe this is one of Harper Lee’s purposes in writing this book, to change the reader to become a more understanding person of the people around us, because this is a major theme of this book. A quote that had an effect on me was by Atticus on the last page of the book. Scout was explaining what she heard from the book Atticus was just reading to her, and Atticus said: “Most people are (nice) when you finally see them.” The main character of the book Atticus was reading had been falsely accused, and when he was finally caught, people realized that he was innocent, that he was actually a nice person. Atticus was basically telling Scout in this quote that this is how most people turn out to be, after you understand them, and see the whole picture. This story is significant because it was probably a reference from Harper Lee to Tom Robinson’s case The story was much like Tom’s. Tom was innocent and falsely accused, just like Stoner Boy in the story. The difference in this story was that everyone realized that Stoner Boy was innocent, and he was left to live. Tom was not. The quote by Atticus affected me because it further assured my new learnings of people and it touched me deeply. This book influenced me in a good way. Atticus was especially a major influence in this book to me. This book illustrates the importance of understanding others, and also the consequences of misjudging people.

Society’s influence on us can make us who we are. It can affect what we say, what we act like, and it can cause us to make mistakes. Harper Lee illustrates this almost perfectly in To Kill a Mockingbird. I hope all that read this book will be able to take something from it and learn and grow from it.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a book that talks about growing up, and innocence. This book is told from the point of view of Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout. Scout is a small girl growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. She has a lot to learn in her upcoming years in Maycomb, as she is just a child and is oblivious to the real world. Throughout this book the author Harper Lee uses literary elements such as foreshadowing, metaphors, and allusion to help describe, and develop the theme of coming of age.

Harper Lee uses metaphors to help readers engage in her writing. In the beginning of the novel Scout was having a bad day at school and blamed Walter Cunningham for it because he didn’t have his lunch. Later on, Walter Cunningham comes over for lunch, and Scout scolded him because he wasn’t eating the way she thought was normal. Calpurnia scolds Scout, and says that she can’t think that she’s better than everybody else just because she is a Finch. Atticus tells Scout that you can 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, Pg.39). At first Scout does not understand this right away, but as the book goes on, Scout starts to comprehend all these things happening in Maycomb. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them” (Lee, Pg.374). Towards the end of the novel Scout finally understands what Atticus meant by being in someone else’s shoes. She understands this when she is accompanying Arthur Radley (Boo) back home. She stands on the Radley’s front porch and looks at everything from his point of view. This relates back to the theme of coming of age because it shows that Scout has matured to the point where she can understand, and take Atticus’s lessons to heart.

Another element that Harper Lee uses is allusion, this helps readers visualize her writing, and hint at things indirectly. A Mockingbird, is one of the main allusions used in this book. “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird” (Lee, Pg. 119). At first Scout is confused as to why anybody would want to shoot a mockingbird. As discussed in the book, a mockingbird is innocent, as all it does is make music for people to enjoy. Towards the end of the book Scout and Jem get attacked by Bob Ewell, after the attack they find Bob Ewell dead on the ground. Atticus and the sheriff of Maycomb, Heck Tate start to argue about who killed Bob Ewell. Atticus thinks that Jem killed Bob Ewell and that Tate is trying to cover for him, when it really is not like that. After a moment of silence Atticus very discreetly fathoms that it was Arthur Radley (Boo) that killed Bob Ewell. “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a Mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee, Pg. 370). During that moment of silence Scout had also come to the conclusion that it was Arthur Radley (Boo) who killed Bob Ewell and saved her and Jem from him. When Scout says this, she shows her understanding of what it means to kill a Mockingbird. This goes with the theme of coming of age because as Scout isstarting to pick up on the littlest things she notices about people, like the way they talk, and behave around others, this shows that Scout is evolving.

Harper Lee uses foreshadowing to gives readers an insight on how the plot is going to unfold. In the beginning of Chapter 9 Scout is resisting the urge to fight Cecil Jacobs, a boy who tells everyone that Atticus is defending a black man. “Somehow, if I fought Cecil I would let Atticus down. Atticus so rarely asked Jem and me to do something for him, I could take being called a coward for him” (Lee, Pg. 102). Atticus tells Scout to not fight any of her peers on this issue, and she does so until Christmas comes around the corner. She loses it when she hears her cousin Francis call Atticus a derogatory term. “This time, I split my knuckle to the bone on his front teeth. My left impaired, I swinged in with my right, but not for long” (Lee, Pg.112). Harper Lee uses foreshadowing to emphasize that Scout would be unable to control her anger and frustration. This relates to the theme of coming of age because Scout is starting to understand the importance of thinking things through before going head first. Although she does have a bit of trouble here and there she tries her best. For example, Atticus told Scout to keep her fists down, it was a tough decision for her but she followed through with it because she didn’t want to disappoint Atticus.

As expressed previously Harper Lee excellently uses metaphors, foreshadowing, and allusion to show the theme of coming of age. Coming of age is something that occurs in everyone’s life whether it be at a young or old age. In this book there are many characters that experience this but the main character that the book focuses on is Scout. It shows her growth from a child to a young adult, or more specifically her personal growth from a tomboy to a sophisticated

It is often a challenge for movie producers to create a movie exactly the same as a book; therefore, they try their best to make the story have the same meaning, to let the audience explore the same questions as a book, and to give the same experience of empathy. The movie adaptation of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, directed by Robert Mulligan, is similar to the book by the following features: firstly, the narrator, Jean Louise (Scout), is an older woman recalling a story from her childhood; secondly, by Boo Radley, Scout’s mysterious neighbor, and thirdly, by Tom Robinson, the innocent black man that Scout’s father is defending. These three significant similarities are crucial in making the movie an excellent redesign of the book.

First-person narration tells us the story through the eyes of a certain person. The audience feels the emotions and knows the conflicts of the story through the narrator’s views and is able to gain a better understanding of the narrator’s reasoning. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” we see the world from Scout’s point of view as an adult woman telling her story when she was a child. This is important to the audience, because it creates a relationship between the viewers and the main character, and it forces them to feel what she is feeling, rather than having their own belief on the matter. This flashback storytelling technique is evident in the book when Scout says, “When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident” (Page 3, Lee) and when she recalls, “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it.” (Page 6, Lee) Flashback is simultaneously displayed in the movie when adult Scout remembers, “That summer I was six years old,” and when she says, “I was to think of these days many times.” These quotes present the tale from Scout’s viewpoint, and this allow the audience to be more sympathetic to her feelings, and more linked with her logic and affection; hence, the narrator is pivotal to the story.

Similarly, stories usually illustrate character development to show how—as time passes and events of the story change—the person also changes. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Scout’s maturity is revealed through Boo Radley, her mysterious neighbor. In the beginning of the story, Scout’s innocence and childish behavior is displayed by her way of interpreting Mr. Radley’s character. She is afraid of him, since she hears rumors about him being a monster, eating squirrels, and stabbing his father in the leg. This is shown when she is speaking to Jem, and he tells her, “Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch; that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off.” (Page 16, Lee) Other example of how Scout’s character develops is given in the following scene: when Scout goes to school, she has to cross Mr. Radley’s house, and she says, “I ran by the Radley Place as fast as I could, not stopping until I reached the safety of our front porch.” (Page 44, Lee) This is communicated in the movie when Scout, inside a tire, is pushed by Jem, her older brother, to the Radley’s porch, and she runs away scared. However, by the end of the story, Scout’s character grows, and she becomes more understanding of Boo’s lifestyle, and is able to see the world from his eyes. She recalls the events of the last two years from Boo’s window, and this is also presented in the movie when she tells her father, “Yes, sir, I understand… Mr. Tate was right… it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” This evolution of her personality and wisdom is significant to the story because it tells the audience what Scout learned from the events of the last two years, and it reinforces the idea that Scout’s father, Atticus, says to Scout: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb in his skin and walk around in it,” which is important to the idea the story is trying to convey .

Sometimes movies change events in a story to create a happy ending. The director, Robert Mulligan, had a chance to do that when creating the movie by letting Tom Robinson, the innocent black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a nineteen-year-old white woman, live rather than subject him to lose the case in court, and get shot trying to escape prison. However, the director did not do that. The way Tom Robinson is killed is the same in the book and in the movie: he is shot trying to run away from the jail. This is a major symbol in the story and the symbol is very powerful to understand the main idea of the book. In the novel, Mr. Underwood, a journal editor, says that “it is a sin to kill cripples,” (Page 323, Lee) and this is similar to what Atticus tells Jem: “it is a sin to kill mockingbirds.” The symbol is vital as it makes Tom Robinson an emblematic mockingbird. It also encourages the audience to feel the devastation of the ruling against an innocent person: ‘I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them.’ (Page 282, Lee) This allows the audience to be more in sympathy with the situation. In addition, Mr. Underwood also says that “Tom Robinson was a dead man the moment that Mayella Ewell said that he raped her,” (Page 323, Lee) which is also displayed in the movie when “Mr. Cunningham, a farmer in Maycomb, goes with a group of people to attempt to kill Tom Robinson a day before the trial,” and are rendered unsuccessful because of Atticus’ and Scout’s intervention. Nevertheless, this event proves Mr. Underwood’s comment when he said that it does not matter what Atticus could have said to defend Tom Robinson, because due to the racism engraved in the people of Maycomb, Tom was going to die either way. The death of Tom Robinson, therefore, reinforces the reality of that time period, and is momentous to the entire meaning of the book.

To conclude, a movie can never succeed in being a great book. A book is personal to a reader in a way that a movie cannot be; though, a movie adaptation can make the audience understand the idea of the book by making sure to include main points of the story, so the audience can discover the same essence and intentions of the book while, simultaneously, providing a sensational experience that a book cannot offer by engaging the senses of sight and sound. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” director Robert Mulligan, successfully incorporates three major plots that are fundamental to the storyline: namely, the first-person narration of the main character, the display of Scout’s maturity through Boo Radley, and the significance of Tom Robinson’s death. As a result of maintaining these three significant plots from the novel, Robert Mulligan was able to make a great movie.