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Teaching to kill a mockingbird essay writing
Teaching to kill a mockingbird essay writing
Essay writing for the novel to kill a mockingbird
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In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the prevalent symbol is innocence. The general idea of innocence is seen in many characters, including Scout, Jem, and Atticus. The attribute of innocence is mainly directed at the mockingbird, which is mentioned several times in the story, including when Atticus tell Jem and Scout, “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”. The mockingbird is also referenced in the title. This is very symbolic, mainly due to the fact that throughout the novel, innocence is “killed”.
Scout (Jean Louise) Finch is a young girl, and due to her age, does not understand many things about the world around her. With her youth, comes her innocence. Throughout the novel, Scout begins to ask many tough questions about things that are widely accepted by most adults. For example, “What’s rape, Cal?” and “Atticus, what exactly is a nigger-lover?”. Towards the end of the novel, it can be observed that Scout seems more mature, and has a better grasp of the cruel and unfair world that she lives in. She realizes that things don’t always have a happy ending.
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Jem Finch is the brother of Scout.
At the beginning of the novel, he posses a youthful nature, and demeanor. Quickly though, he realizes that everything is not right in the world. Jem begins to pick up on social cues, realizing things that Scout could not. For example, when the lynch mob came to kill Tom Robinson, Jem knew of the danger present, and would not leave his father’s side, worried that he may be injured. Scout did not realize the danger, and knew not of why the men were present. Though, in that situation, her innocence saved them from a potentially deadly conflict. As the story progresses, Jem becomes a protector of Scout, saving her from situations she was not prepared to handle, and trying to explain those she couldn’t understand. As Jem attempts to protect Scout’s innocence, he loses some of
his. Atticus Finch is the father of both Scout and Jem, and is a moral and noble man. He knows what he believes, and does not sway from his convictions. When he was assigned Tom Robinson’s case, he knew the consequences of defending him, but his morality prevented him from doing what most in his situation would have done. Atticus never really “lost” his innocence during this novel, but was persecuted for his “pure” heart. He was ridiculed by family and friends. He was also threatened. Atticus Finch suffered because he defended a man without falter, not because he was black, but because he was innocent. Throughout the novel, there is much symbolism. None so much as innocence. It is seen in many characters, i.e. Scout, Jem, Atticus, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, Dill, Mr. Raymond, etc. Throughout the novel, this innocence is killed. Scout and Jem each had to grow up, but in different ways. Both underwent a substantial transition towards the lives of adulthood. Atticus, though, knew of people’s hateful nature, and unhesitantly, he did what he felt was right, unshaken by the looming consequences that would be brought onto those who went against the social “norms”. Atticus Finch displayed the true characteristic of innocence. He remained uncorrupted by the evils around him.
One way Harper Lee shows the theme of a loss of innocence is through Boo Radley, a town outcast who comes into the life of the Finch children and the gossip within the Maycomb folks. One way that Boo Radley’s innocence was victimized is when Atticus tells Scout, “Scout’ he said,’ Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?” “Well it’d sort of be like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 370) This shows that Boo Radley is being blamed
In the beginning of the story, Jem enjoys the childish games of fantasizing about Boo Radley, taking any dare, and . Scout tells the reader that Jem becomes more and more moody as the story progresses, due to his aging. He thinks more; he shows more compassion; and he is appalled by the unfairness that rears its ugly head in his hometown. While Scout recounts the events of her childhood, the reader fails to notice that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is not a story about the narrator (Scout) maturing, it is actually about Jem maturing, and becoming an adult.
Scout is a young girl growing up in the south, she is intelligent, thoughtful, and good natured. Her identity is somewhat uncommon during the time she lives in. She is characterized as a tomboy, who doesn’t always act “lady like” or proper by southern standards. Scout most likely became the type of person she is by the care of her father, Atticus. He shapes her mind, while trying to protect her from a dangerous world and preserving her childhood.
Protecting the innocent is a major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. It is shown in many ways. Some ways include how Atticus tries to protect Tom Robinson, how Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout, and how Heck Tate tries to protect Boo. Harper Lee may be trying to show how society should protect the innocent through her characters and their actions.
When Scout goes to the courtroom to hear Atticus speak and fight for Tom’s freedom, she realizes that Atticus is trying his hardest to defend an innocent man. Finally, Scout grows through her interest in school by learning about Hitler and the horrible historical events that have happened in the world. Her maturity is expressed by what she has learned about the world around her and can apply those things to her everyday life. Moreover, Scout has matured greatly in the novel and she has learned many lessons about life, family, and womanhood.
Innocence evidently comes with birth and is kept through existence as time moves forward, but it soon becomes corrupted with specific life changing occurrences. In the film To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan, which is based upon the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee, there are three prominent characters in which innocence is rendered within. The three characters are Jem Finch, his sister Scout or Jean Louise Finch, and their neighbor Boo Radley or Arthur Radley. They each possess a different form of innocence because of the diverse personalities and consequently have their innocence obliterated in distinct ways. The
Loss of Innocence in Killing a Mockingbird Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather, the streets turned red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. " (Lee 9). This environment, as Scout Finch accurately describes, is not conducive to young children, loud noises, and games. But, the Finch children and Dill must occupy themselves in order to avoid boredom.
Innocence is defined as the state of being not guilty of a crime or other wrong act. The definition does not have any exceptions depending on race, age, gender or other physical characteristics. Yet in the south, the innocence of a guilty white man, is more important than the innocence of an innocent black man. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is about a young girl named Scout who lives in Maycomb County, Alabama. The novel is separated into two parts, the first part is about the adventures of Boo Radley. While the second part is about the trial of Tom Robinson. In the first part of the novel, Scout along with her brother Jem and her friend Dill investigate the mysterious life of their neighbor, Boo Radley. Boo has not left
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Innocence is a topic that is discussed and displayed throughout the story and is very important to having a complete understanding of the book. People’s view on innocence is something that is very subjective and it varies between every person. Through point of view, symbolism, and conflict, Harper lee shows that people’s perception of innocence changes as they grow up.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of coming-of-age and the loss of innocence through the character Jem. Through recurring events, Jem is faced with the realization of society’s injustice, and is left questioning the world he lives in. During a time of rampant racial discrimination and prejudice in the south, Jem transforms from naivety to maturity.
Symbolism is used to show how the Mockingbird resembles innocence throughout the whole story. Loss of Innocence can be shown by many characters throughout the story. As Miss Maudie said, "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." Miss Maudie is basically saying that killing a mockingbird is seen the same as killing someone who is as eq...
Scout Finch is the main protagonist of the novel and although a bit slow she does grow overtime. At first Scout is very naive and innocent due to the fact in the beginning of the story she is 6 years old. She can be described as a tomboy, troublemaker, and a rebel since she mostly hung around with her older brother Jem and was raised by her father Atticus who was mostly at work. Scout has not been raised with the proper mannerisms to become a proper lady which which was something well desired especially in the South. The reason for this is because Scout’s mother died before she could even remember. This also accounts for her tomboyish nature. As she gets older however, she starts to lose her rambunctious attitude for more of a proper and lady like demeanor which she learns from her Aunt Alexandria, the definition of a true southern belle. Scout is 6 at the start of the book as is around 9 near the end of it so she does mature slowly but surely unlike her brother Jem. Jem’s development throughout the book goes a bit quicker since he is 10 at the start of the book and becomes 13 by the end. The book shows off Jem’s preteens which is always a drastic change for anyone. Jem is a good, kindhearted kid who always tries to do the right thing but is still at the age where he can be a bit mischievous as well. His misadventures with Scout often put him in a place where he can attempt to be the responsible one. Jem is at the age where he believes he’s an adult but is not mature enough to actually be one. For instance, the scene where Atticus has to shoot a rabid dog Jem tries his best to brave about the entire situation but inside he is still a young boy and is a bit afraid. Towards the end of the novel, Jem gets even more mature and starts becoming more of a splitting image of his father, Atticus Finch. Mr. Finch is probably the most morally just character
Jems naïve views are soon corrupted as he goes through experiences like with Boo Radley, but Jem manages to grow in strength as he sheds his pure qualities and learns to have hope. Jem and Scouts childhood friend Dill represents another killing of a mockingbird, as his innocence is destroyed during his trial experience. Scouts childish views dissipates as she witnesses different events in her life, and she grows in experience and maturity as she encounters racial prejudice, making her learn how to maintain her pure conscience that Atticus has developed without losing hope or becoming cynical. Harper Lee’s novel explores human morality, as she weaves the path from childhood to a more adult perspective, illustrating the evils in a corrupt world how to understand them without losing
Scout Finch is not the stereotypical girl from the 1930’s. Agents the wishes of everyone around her, she grows up in overalls instead of dresses. Scout plays in the dirt and sand, instead of in the kitchen. In the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee, Scout is the wild spirited narrator, growing up in the small town of Maycomb. As she gets older, she learns mostly from her father Atticus how to interact with people. Scout learns to show dignity and respect to everyone, under any circumstances.
In a society surrounded by corruption, racism, and cruelty it is rare to find purity. Innocence is constantly being destroyed. For this reason, the harmless citizens need to be treasured and protected. Harper Lee 's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird portrays the injustices of the 1930 's that expose the innocent to the mal of the society’s intentions. Some characters in the novel are characterized as harmless and pure and are symbolized by mockingbirds. It is then stated that killing a mockingbird is a sin, therefore meaning that killing innocent people is also sin. Lee’s eye-opening novel reminds the reader that one should protect the beauty of the innocence by not allowing