To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 8-14 Analysis Essay

The secret mind of a quiet soul

Intriguing. That is the word that comes to mind when reading Harper Lee's novel “To kill a Mockingbird”. The novel is filled with so many different view points, attitudes, feelings, etc. all in which, bring to mind a wide range of feelings. In particular, in reading chapters 8-14 of this novel, you really get an extra bit of insight into the “intriguing” sense of the characters. To be specific, in the following chapters, we get to know more about each character a little more. One person, in particular, who these chapters are seem to focus on, is Atticus Finch. Atticus is one of the main characters, father of Jem and Scout Finch, and is the main inspiration to my idea of being intriguing. In chapters 8-14 of this book, there are so many interesting and mind-boggling passages that it is hard to decide which ones really get your hair standing up most. For example, A passage that was pretty interesting was “...nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebodys favoring negroes over and above themselves” (Lee 68). It has

a good point to make, it shows us that a label is just a label. The thing is, it isn't quite as empowering as the other passages I found, that really get you thinking from another persons mindset. The two passages I found to be most intriguing and genuine were both a piece of Atticus Finch's mind. When reading just these few sentences, you really get to take a look inside his brain, and really see what he's all about. Earlier in reading the book, he doesn't seem too interesting, one may say, but after reading these 6 chapters, I can guarentee a change of mind most definitely occurs. To give a peek into his mind, one pasasage I believe is very impactful, giving insight into his seemingly quiet soul is, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try not to win.” (49) This makes you think, like the kind of thinking that involves questioning what the meaning of life really is, yes, that kind of thinking. It seems like such a simple sentence, but it also seems to hide a deep-rooted message. Another passage in these 6 chapters that is most intriging is found on page 66, Atticus says “...but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.” How's that for inspiring? This passage in Chapter 11 of the book is something I have never actuallly thought about, and really made me better understand Atticus as a person. It gives a better understanding to his character because it shows how he believes that you need to be able to love yourself, and be comfortable in your own shoes before you can truly let others in, which as hard as it may seem, is possible.
The first passage I found that really got me thinking was, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try not to win.” (49) What a strange, yet conceivable sentence.

There are other kinds of mysterious passages in this book, told by Atticus, or just in general, but none seem to quite compare to this one. This sentence seems to be implying that just because we have setbacks in our life, they don't give us any good reason not to try and win the fight. Take someone who was abused as a kid, they might have been through hell and back for years, but that doesn't mean they have to forever be entrapped by the abuse. As hard as it may be, there is always a way to win the fight! Overall, this is such an empowering passage that deserves to be acknowledged for reasons beyond

words.
The second most impactful passage I found was “...but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself”(66). Now this is a definate “reflect on your life, and think of what you're doing wrong” kind of passage. These few words can determine your whole life. Why, you may ask? Think about this, in society what do all of us do? We tend to feel the need to be considered good enough. And, most likely, we determine that by other people, not how we see ourselves. This is something that really needs to change in everybody's lives. We need to start seeing ourselves as good enough, accepting ourselves (flaws and all), and just loving ourselves, before we can truly love others. It can be a cruel world out there and I think Atticus did a great job at stating his viewpoint on how he wants to live to reach his full potential.
These last six chapters were very grappling. They really get you hooked on the book and wanting to read more. They are filled with new viewpoints, and strategies, to live better and accept others, including ourselves. I think that the next chapters will give us more of an insight to where Atticus gets all his ideas, and what makes everybody who they are believed to be so far. Is Atticus really just a newspaper-reading father, is there a reason why people like Mrs. Dubose, are as mean or bad as they are accused of being, or is there more to the story? Well, there's only one way to find out, that is to continue the journey on throughout the next chapters of this engaging novel, and who knows what may be unveiled!