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Thematic statements in to kill a mockingbird
Thematic statements in to kill a mockingbird
Thematic analysis on to kill a mockingbird essay
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People are always influenced by family members. Sometimes this influence is positive and sometimes it is negative, yet no matter what, it will change a person’s life. Change can be caused by that person fitting into the ways of a household, or be forced to act differently in the presence of others. Either way, that person will never be the same again. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, characters are constantly being influenced by family members. Aunt Alexandra, started off as a rude and bossy woman, but as she became closer to Atticus, Jem, and Scout, she changed into a more loving and compassionate person. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra is influenced by the Finches during her stay at their home.
When Aunt Alexandra first arrived at the Finch house, she took over as if she had been living there her whole life. When arriving home, Jem and Scout found her, “sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life.”(p. 168). From the very beginning, Aunt Alexandra felt she should be completely in charge. The first thing she said was, “‘Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,’” (p. 169). Aunt Alexandra treated Calpurnia as if Calpurnia was her servant. Aunt Alexandra was a strong influence within the Finches home, from the beginning. It did not do much of anything in the end, yet Jem and Scout saw a different side of their father, Atticus. “Atticus suddenly grew serious. In his lawyer’s voice, without a shade of affection, he said: ‘Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon [Jem] and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding−’”(p. 177). This may have been one of the first times that the children...
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...and stayed with Jem when no one else was there.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the Finches strongly influenced Aunt Alexandra when she visited their home. By the end of the book, Aunt Alexandra was almost a completely different person because of her stay at the Finches. The whole reason for her visit was to change Scout, but instead she got changed herself. This was not what was meant to happen, but it did. This sort of thing happens in many families, as well. A family member come to change someone else, but ends up get changed instead. The ironic part of this is that when it happen, the family member who is changed, usually get positively influenced. In more cases than not, positive influence comes to people who strived to change the personality of others.
Works Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, New York: Grand Central, 1982.
When Aunt Alexandra says, "Your father and I decided it was time I came to stay with you for a while,'" Scout and Jem know that she will make new rules and run the house her way. "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me." Aunt Alexandra has very different ideas than Atticus about how to raise children, especially girls, and Scout knows that she will have to change to please her aunt.
To conclude, it is proven during numerous instances found in Harper Lee’s award-winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, that societal pressures and the rigid rules and boundaries that society sets can overwhelm anyone of any class, race or background. It is unjust to assume anyone’s character by their set status but unfortunately, negative after-effects immediately take place as soon as one tries to step out of their preordained place. As Mayella Ewell, Scout and Jem Finch and Atticus Finch were the examples of this bitter truth, there are many other characters affected by the societal impacts on everyday life in the novel.
Miss Maudie's statement is true in that the right things he did were sometimes unpleasant, I think Aunty Alexandra's stay with the Finch Family was one of those things. Even if Aunty's stay wasn't entirely his idea, Atticus tolerated her stay and her a treatment of the children because he knew that in some ways she was good for the children. Scout needed to have a female influence in her life and unfortunately that meant having a sometimes cold and stern woman living with them.
Aunt Alexandra recognizes Scout’s maturity when she invites Scout to a seemingly meaningless lady’s brunch. As Scout views the gathering,she understands that this is no ordinary brunch but it is a showcase of social talent. Scout remembers, “There was no part about it, I must soon enter this world” (Lee 267). In this quote Scout comes to the realization that being a lady is not only justified in actions but also in universally accepted social functions. It is here that Scout’s lessons in womanhood come full circle and she is able to embrace a part of her existence that she had brushed off for a long time. Mayella Ewell is a singular character that gives an important insight into understanding of lower classes but in a less literal sense she is an extension of Scout. Mayella is part of Scout that is arrogant,confused, and denies the truth of the adult world. As Aunt Alexandra constantly mentions, she will never befriend the Cunninghams “Don’t be silly, Jean Louise,”said Aunt Alexandra. “The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines,you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (Lee 256). While in relation to Scout, Aunt Alexandra is portrayed as uptight, she is the ideal lady of
As a child grows, many people influence their development as a person. Some people impact more than others, and a select few really leave their mark. In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” several characters play this role. Among them, Miss Maudie Atkinson, a woman who proves herself a strong character, prevails as the one who has the greatest impact on Scout Finch, the protagonist of this novel. As Scout matures and grows up, her views on the world around her change. Through subtle yet effective ways, Miss Maudie teaches Scout many life lessons about being humble, judging, and attitude, all of which ultimately have a great effect on the kind of person Scout develops into and her outlook on the world.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many characters develop and mature in unique ways. Boo, who fears talking to others, Aunt Alexandra, who is against people of other races or social classes, and Scout, who is young and is not aware of life’s challenges, constantly suppress their emotions and personality. Their life choices and decisions that they make throughout the book, lead them to be more accepting of others and less prejudice. As the book progresses, Boo, Aunt Alexandra, and Scout learn life lessons and develop into mature adults.
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.
Take a moment to think, what would you do if you didn’t have your parents/guardians? How would you be acting? Where would you be? Adults have a big part in a child’s life not only because they are there to support them but being role models to show them how they should be acting and maturing over time. The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee” takes place in a small town named Maycomb and it has a great deal to do with children maturing over time and how adults come into place as role models. The 3 main role models in this story are: The father Atticus Finch, The house keeper Calpurnia, And the neighbour across the street Miss Maudie. In this essay you will be reading about how the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” illustrates how adult role-models directly influence the maturation of children.
The Southern women were told and obligated, by some code of southern conduct, to mature into fair-smelling, perfect "ladies." By "ladies" they meant women who were well mannered, good at embroidery, and wore frilly, lacy dresses. One example of this southern tradition occurs when Aunt Alexandra comes to the Finch residence to help Atticus raise his children during the trial. When first arriving she says to Scout, "We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys." This comment implies that the only subjects girls are expected to understand are boys and clothes. Aunt Alexandra makes no mention of Jean Louise's intelligence, education, or personality. Her diction suggests that the only thing Jean Louise is capable of pursuing is her attire and a man. Scout discovers what a "southern lady" is as she notices how Aunt Alexandra "chose protective garments that drew up her bosom to giddy heights, pinched in her waist, flared out her rear, and managed to suggest that Aunt Alexandra's was once an hour-glass figure." Scout was considered to be very improper, wearing overalls and pants, but Aunt Alexandra would still try and introduce her to other ladies. I assume that she did this to try and influence Scout. She hoped Scout would form lady-like habits by watching others. Another example takes place after the trial, when Jem is appalled at the decision the court makes in response to Tom Robinson's case.
As humans, it is only natural for our perspective to change, for us to learn, for us to grow, and to change as individuals. For example, Saul from the Bible. Saul spent his whole life slaughtering Christians for their belief, but after being exposed to new things and gaining new perspectives, he changed his name to Paul and embraced Christianity, becoming a prophet. This principle also applies to Scout Finch, the protagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, similar to how this rule affected Paul. Since Scout Finch is the narrator of this novel, one who reads To Kill a Mockingbird can easily see the progression of different personality traits as the book progresses and
Alexandra first arrives at Maycomb a little while before Tom Robinson’s trial begins. The main purpose of her visit is to support Atticus and the kids, because of the case Atticus is taking on. She wants them to keep the family name. “It was plain that Aunty thought me dull in the extreme, because I once heard her tell atticus that I was sluggish. [...] Alexandra was positively irritable on the Lord’s day.” (170) “Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people [...] Presently I picked up a comb from Jem’s dresser and ran its teeth along the edge. ‘Stop that noise’, Atticus said. His courtness stung me. [...] I felt myself beginning to cry, but I could not stop.” (177-178) “She promised me I could come out to her house one afternoon. ‘You may not’ [Replied Alexandra].”(181) “...you’ve got to do something about her. [...] You’ve let things go on too long, Atticus, too long.” (182) All these quotes show that Aunt Alexandra brought evil and unrest to the family. Alexandra called scout sluggish. She was irritable on Saturday. She also caused Atticus to yell at Scout, something that he had never done before. Another evil is the racism that Alexandra presents. She tries to get rid of Calpurnia, and doesn’t let Scout go to her house. On the other hand, like most other characters and settings in To Kill A
A person’s identity is created by his family, friends, and neighbors. These influences can be people that choose to interact or have to interact with each other. The decisions made based on these interactions define a person. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout, the narrator, is affected by numerous sources. Scout’s identity is shaped in part by Atticus, Miss Maudie, and her experience with the court case.
In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" each of the main characters changed quite a bit. Through the experiences each character went through and the natural maturing that occurred in each of them, the characters were altered from the way they were at beginning of the book. The children, Scout and Jem, were the two most dramatically changed characters. However, Scout showed much more change than Jem did because of his mysterious hidden attitude. Scout matured from a helpless and naïve child into a much more experienced and grown-up young lady.
Growing up, I have lived in a very family oriented neighborhood. Kids upon kids upon kids are always riding bikes, playing wiffle ball, and swimming. Across from me, was an older lady, she didn’t have any kids and rarley had any company visit her. I always thought she was mean, and that was why no one ever came. It wasn't until last year, when I finally understood her, and I heard her out. I had to really put myself in her shoes to see how she saw things. Just like Scout, I had to change my perspective and see the world from other people's point of views. Throughout the story of To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout learned wise lessons from her father, the most important to the story “to put yourself in their shoes.”
But hearing words can change our outlook, but also can affect staying with our genuine values. However, words are integral to society. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird Scout was just a little girl trying to enjoy life with her curious little mind. Scout had been surrounded by wretched people, which the negativity from the people of her town, Maycomb; had impacted her life. Scout looked up to the authority that was above her, even her older brother Jem. Meanwhile, Scout’s father, Atticus, lead her to be harmed by society, Atticus was always busy with his work rather than spending time with his daughter Scout. Scout says, “He sat in the living room and read.” (pg.118) All her father would do was read & work. When her father got a court case for a colored man named Tom Roberision, everyone around their town of Maycomb were gossiping about Scout’s father, Atticus. Scout had said, “ The school had buzzed with talk about Tom Robinson, none of which was complimentary.” (Ch.10.pg.119) People had their own negative commentary on her father's case, which lead her to fight because of the words that were said. Although she was just a little girl, she did not know what was right from wrong, Scout had looked up to her brother Jem for guidance. Which lead her individuality to becoming a tomboy. Moreover Scout’s Aunt Alexandra had put pressure on Scout wanting her to act more like a young