To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

Atticus exclaims in his speech that “all men are not created equal” in order to draw attention to the treatment blacks receive on a daily basis. Atticus argues that people claim that everyone is equal when they actually are not. He emphasizes that blacks are treated harshly because they look different compared to others. He shows that people are discriminated against merely because of their skin color. Atticus reveals that Robinson is only portrayed as guilty because the human race is too selfish to let others share the same rights due to their skin color. Atticus beats down the white’s perspective on African-Americans in order to make them feel remorseful about the way they treat others. He appeals to the jury’s morals to show that they must do the right thing and give everyone a chance to do good rather than imprisoning a man because they want to. Finch tries to convey to the audience that people are selfish beings who only attack others because they can. But Atticus also expresses that nobody is the same and that “some people have more [opportunities]… some men make more money… some ladies make better cakes… [and that] some people are born gifted” (Lee, 233). Atticus indicates that nobody has the same characteristics, genes, or personalities. He implies that by discriminating against people only because they are different, they are also discriminating against themselves. People do not have the right to shame others because they are different whenever everyone else is as well. Atticus shames individuals because they treat blacks poorly for the same concepts that white people have. Atticus tries to open the audience’s eyes about the crazy, psychotic world in order to allow them to realize that people

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of a man with strong morals regarding equality. The citizens in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama do not accept the African American culture. Although, there are a few highly respected members who stand up for the rights of everyone. One man, Atticus Finch is well known for his opinion with defending everyone’s background and he strives for the community to do the same. Throughout the novel, Lee exemplifies Finch as an egalitarian to establish that when society casts judgements on others it is one’s duty to voice the rights of everyone.

In both the text “To Kill a Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee and the film “A Time to Kill” directed by Joel Schumacher, similar ideas are presented using language devices and stylistic features in differing ways to appeal to their target audience. Each have very similar storylines in which a white lawyer defends a an African-American in a prejudiced court case. Racism is a key idea presented strongly in each due to the eras they are set in. The era and country set in each story provide a strong base for the prominent issue. With the unpleasant happenings in each text and through the racist acts the idea of compassion shines through. As well as compassion being a significant idea, forgiveness is also presented through the racists acts.

In To Kill a Mockingbird Jem portrays a mockingbird. First, after the Tom Robinson case, Jem wondered, “How could they do it, how could they” (Lee 285). Jem never harms anyone so he doesn’t understand how others could perform such a terrible deed as sentencing an innocent man to death. Mockingbirds never harm anyone making Jem similar to one. Next, after Jem built the mud man, Atticus assured Jem, “She’s really impressed with your-accomplishments” (Lee 90). Jem brought joy to Miss Maudie and Atticus with his mud man resembling mockingbirds and their beautiful singing. The ability to bring joy to people is a trait both mockingbirds and Jem possess allowing Jem to be considered a mockingbird. Lastly, after the case is lost, Jem cries,” His

Mockingbirds, they are known for their innocence and kindness. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, it reflects and represents the innocence of the bird. Therefore, the title To Kill a Mockingbird stands for the destroying of innocence. This book contains issues such as racism, love, hate, romance, and the good and evil of society. The book also talks about how society can change people, but most importantly how it changes the specific characters in this book. It teaches you about life, and it also teaches you life lessons and skills. The three main characters are important, worthy, kind, innocent people who resemble and give a detailed definition of the mockingbird. Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley portray the innocence of the mockingbird, and show you how people can act as one.

When author Harper Lee originally created To Kill a Mockingbird she never thought it would have the success it did. “I didn’t expect the book to sell in the first place”. It was actually an immediate success and was a bestseller, and sell almost one million copies a year. To kill a mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s where race was a real problem and being black wasn't equal. Race affects this story dramasticly, a lot of turning points and problems that should have never been there were created from race.

Harper Lee writes, in a realistic fiction novel based on the story of a young girl during World War II, To Kill a Mockingbird, of a father maintaining his integrity. This character develops and greatly influences those around him to question the way the society is being run. A similar character is seen in The Power of One, directed by Avildsen, with a young boy who grows up with integrity and changes the way people see discrimination and racism. Both these stories demonstrate that acting with integrity is maintaining one’s beliefs in order to reintroduce ideas to society.

“Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you,” stated Bethany Hamilton, an American professional surfer, who survived a shark attack, when she was only 13 years of age. This quote relates to the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, on account that plenty of people in the book had fear, but did not let it stop them from doing what they needed to do. A few of these courageous people were Mrs. Dubose, Atticus, and Boo Radley.

Think back to the 1930’s and imagine a small southern town. Can you imagine acting like we do today? Can you imagine talking or having the same views we do today? Picture yourself in small Maycomb Alabama where everyone knows everyone and there are rules placed in a society that everyone must follow. In small southern towns like Maycomb, Alabama they are more than just social standards they are made of a complex depth of emotions and standards like a person would be, it is refusing to change and just becoming more violent throughout the years in reaction to African Americans gaining rights. In Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman which is a look into Jean Louise's life after she grew up and how racism has developed and changed and To Kill a Mockingbird which is about a African American man being accused of rape, and it is beyond clear that he didn’t do this, throughout the book you see racism through the eyes of a child who is the main character Jean Louise or Scout. Both show you the real depth of the towns personalities and how Maycomb might be a small town but it has so much more to it than meets the eye. In the articles “Black residents Flee Maryville, Missouri, after lynchings” and “ White Mobs Attack Filipino Farmworkers in Watsonville California”, show how other tiny towns were showing these same reactions to the outbreak of African Americans finally getting a voice. It brings out the ugly in other towns.

Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (TKM), it has illustrated multiple themes, along with relating and connecting to society today. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, and is narrated by the main character, a girl named Jean Louise Finch aka “Scout”. Throughout the novel, Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill is intrigued by the local rumors about the Radley place, within the house a man, Boo Radley, who is made out as a monster. “The nuts lay untouched by the children: Radley pecans would kill you (TMK pg 11).” Although these rumors were believed strongly by the children at first, Boo Radley himself had shown various generous and thoughtful gestures, such as putting a blanket over Scout one night when her neighbors house burnt down, and another including saving their lives, which led to one theme that stands out to me, good vs evil. Boo is the neglected innocence and the town the evil. Together, these children, along with Atticus, Scout and Jem’s Father go about their lives, full of entertainment, enjoyment, make believe, arguments and fights, all while learning many valuable lessons that contribute to the growth of these young children. One of the main lessons lying within the case of Tom Robinson, a young African American man charged for rape by Mayella Ewell, who she herself, had been the one to blame. She has propositioned Tom and was caught by her drunk of a father, Bob Ewell. In order to cover her guilt,

In Harper Lee’s chart-topping, To Kill a Mockingbird, the topics of unfair judgment and racism are displayed through the courtroom and citizens of Maycomb, Alabama. The reader explores the lives of Mrs. Dubose, Dolphus Raymond, and Tom Robinson and how they overcome their struggles. As Mrs. Dubose faces health issues, the Finch children struggle to deal with her strong personality. As Dolphus faces a racial backlash from both sides, he decides to give himself an alter-ego. Finally, Tom Robinson faces a white man in court and struggles to find justice. In the novel, Harper Lee discusses the theme of outward and surface appearance through the characters of Mrs. Dubose, Dolphus Raymond, and Tom Robinson to teach the reader not to define people by their outward appearances but instead by their inner character.

Dimebag Darrell once said that “There’s obviously going to be highs and lows, and the trick to it is to be able to maintain composure and stay high even when you’re in the lows.” Darrell is expressing that during bad or even good times, having composure and staying serene is important because without it, society wouldn’t run properly. In the book“To Kill a Mockingbird,” there were instances where it was hard for the people in the town to stay calm, yet there were these characters who were able to keep themselves contained so that the community would be able to remain relaxed as well. Through Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Calpurnia, Harper Lee conveys that in order to have a well running society, the ability of having composure during tough situations is ideal.

The phrase “To Kill a Mockingbird” is brought up countless times in the novel, a mockingbird referring the individuals in society who are corrupted by other people’s actions or views. There are numerous characters who become mockingbirds throughout the novel, who are unwillingly changed in various different ways or even destroyed completely by evil. Whether the mockingbird is a full grown man like Tom Robinson who is being falsely accused or children who witness injustices too early in their lives for them to comprehend. The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” explores the idea of what it means to be a Mockingbird and how mockingbirds come to be.

"The greatest pain is to be innocent and be wrongly accused" (Joshua Iginla). This idea is expressed in Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" as he introduces Jem and Scout Finch, who live in a small town called Maycomb. They learn about the importance of tolerance toward others; that people and appearances aren't always what they seem. At the end of the story, they finally come to understand Atticus' repeated motto: that they cannot judge people until they have fully come to understand them. The underlying theme of the novel is the mockingbird and it develops over the course of the novel by representing the true goodness and innocence that should always be protected.

“Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). Miss Maudie spoke the previous quote with deep thought going into each and every word. Not only was she trying to teach Scout a lesson, but she wanted there to be a powerful meaning behind it. Miss Maudie’s main purpose was to stress that you shouldn't kill something that is doing no harm. Everyday “mockingbirds” are killed, broke down, and mistreated by society.