Part A: The book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” has a movie adaptation, which skips parts, but follows the plot. While most of what it excludes are side stories, many of these had an impact, and changed the story later in the movie. A great example of this is the story of Mrs. Dubose, an old cranky woman who sits on her deck, insulting all who pass. Although first seen as an evil in the book, it is later revealed that she also had a morphine addiction she wanted to rid herself of before she died. She tried her hardest and succeeded with the help of Jem, who read to her every day for a bit over a month. Atticus, their father, explained that the reason the son read to her was to show him what “true courage” was, fighting an uphill battle, This …show more content…
is later connected to the trial that Atticus fought, and lost. He knew he was going to lose when he took the trial, but gave it his all anyways. In the movie, she was passed off as “an old grouch” and left it as that. While there may have been some differences in the way the movie was made from the book, it had its reasons, as you can’t fit an extremely detailed book into a movie, less than two hours long. It kept the main plot line, including Dill, and the trial, as well as the death of Bob Ewell. It left many important details, but removed them in a way they didn’t impact the story as much, this is made clear when school was removed, as well as a year of the book, that set the “stage” and went into depth about the town, the different people, the way they acted, their traditions, and what condition everyone was in. The movie just left the description of everyone in the air, and explained them in small scenes, that magnified the effects of later scenes. One scene being when Mr Cunningham leaves his payment in the form of hickory nuts. This magnifies the scene of Atticus protecting the mob from Tom Robinson. It leaves the viewer to think, that Mr. Cunningham is a person as well, and he has his own reasons.
Some of the scenes that were removed were fairly major, most of them were bent so they didn’t have much importance if the were to be added back, but if I were to add a scene back, I would add the scene where Dill cried due to the cruelty of the interrogation of the opposing lawyer, and Mr. Raymond give Dill a bit of Coca-Cola to cheer him up. It is revealed that he drinks the Coca-Cola in a paper bag and acts drunk so people think “he has a reason he acts how he does, and that is because of alcohol, so he can’t control himself”, and thus he avoids conflict.Overall, I think the movie adaptation of the book was fairly decent, but if it had been even ten or fifteen minutes longer, the movie could have added a few small, crucial scenes, that could have added a bit more depth to the movie, and make it have a longer lasting impression on the viewer.Part B:To kill a Mockingbird is not the act of, or setting out to kill a Mockingbird, it is the killing, or punishment of a person who has never done anything to try and hurt anyone, and tries to help with their utmost ability. Anyone can be a mockingbird, some are naturally one, while others try, and succeed in becoming one, they are people who try to help, in small, or large ways, in any way
they can. While some of these “Mockingbirds” aren’t particularly recognizable for their efforts, others make an impact on society. In the story, one of the biggest, most important “Mockingbird” is Tom Robinson. It references this the actual death of Tom Robinson, a negro, who had helped a person in need, of the opposite race. This leads him to be tried in a court for a crime he didn’t commit, where only white people ever won, regardless of the evidence, which proved that Tom was innocent beyond reasonable doubt, yet charged with being guilty of all charges. “To Kill a Mockingbird” directly relates to the death of Tom Robinson, a “Mockingbird”, killed by society. Another Important “Mockingbird” is “Boo” Radley, a recluse holed up by his father, and later his older brother. He leaves items for Jem and Scout early in the story, such as a medal, chewing gum, pennies, a watch, and two dolls carved out of soap, one carved to look like Scout, and one to look like Jem. Later, he saves Jem and Scout from getting killed by Bob Ewell, but kills Bob to protect them. In a trial, he would lose, and be sentenced to death, or many years in jail, unfairly Scout, the main character realizes this and says at the end of the book “it would be like killing a mockingbird”.Mrs. Calpurnia is another example of a Mockingbird, she helps Scout and Jem, acting as a motherly figure to the two, despite being of the opposite race. She teaches them manners, and expands their view of the African culture. She knows when to what, at the appropriate times. A great example of this is when she speaks with her race she speaks “nigger talk”, but when talking to others, she speaks “normally”. She does this to keep others from thinking that she thinks highly of herself.Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus, was a man who would fight an uphill battle for the sake of it being the right thing to do. Atticus defended Tom Robinson, despite him being of African descent, as it was the right thing to do. Not only that, but he tried the best he could, and proved that Tom was innocent, and the person who accused him of the crime, Bob Ewell, was guilty of beating, and possibly raping his daughter. Atticus was a man that did what was right no matter what the cost, even placing his own life on the line. Tom is the definition of a “Mockingbird”, he does what is right, helps others, and was killed for being nice, too nice. “Boo” a person, so driven to protect, that he killed someone. Atticus followed what was right, and broke the rules of society, bringing the truth to those who thought otherwise. Each an example of a Mockingbird, each made a difference in their own way, to help, protect, or try to change someone or something.
In chapter 11, Mrs. Dubose says some hateful words about Atticus, which leads Jem to smash her flowers. As a punishment, Jem had to read to her every day after school for two hours. A conversation between Atticus and Jem shows how he felt about her in the beginning, “Did she frighten you?” Said Atticus.
What really shocked me about a part that was left out in the movie was when Jem was punished to go help and understand Mrs. Dubose as a punishment. After Mrs. Dubose harassed Jem and Scout, he got tired of it and took out his anger on her most precious thing, her garden. I thought this was very important to the book and would be essential to the movie as well. This was one of the scenes that showed us that Jem was indeed “growing up.” It also introduced us to Dubose’s addiction to morphine and her attempt to stop and be, courageous, as Atticus said. I actually, after all the differences, believe this is the most important scene that was not in the movie.
Many movies based on books, have similarities and differences between them. The same goes for To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Although the movie ran smoothly there were many elements missing from it or that differentiated from the book. Of course there were similarities and the overall theme and message of the novel was reached in the movie. Although the book was more detailed, the movie had the same plot line for the most part. There were some high points and favorite characters in both t he movie and in the book and overall both of these works of creations were very enjoyable.
The differences in the movie and the book might have been intentional. If audiences were to read the book, watch the movie, and reach conclusions, I think they would have great understanding of what’s inside them both. For example, a scene in the movie in which Atticus tells his children why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird was not in the book; from that scene, I inferred on how that became the initial title of the book. By using both resources, I was able to gather information and grasp its contents tighter.
The story To Kill A Mockingbird has a wide variety of characters and situations that make it an all-time favorite. The ever-growing popularity of this story has caused a movie version, based on the book, to be showcased. There are noticeable differences between the two that could change the entire feel of the story. The omitted scenes from the book, that are never shown in the movie, include: Jem and Scout going to church with Calpurnia, the school scene in which the Ewells, Cunninghams, and Scout’s teacher and classmates are introduced and talked about, and how Aunt Alexandra, the great influencer of the children in the book, never appears in the movie along with other Finch family members.
There are several ways that the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, differs from the movie. There are various scenes in the novel that are not in the film that limit it and maintain that the novel is superior. For example, when it is learned that Tom Robinson is dead following his conviction, is merely hours in the film. In the novel, it is several weeks. By having it only be hours the audience misses out on the significance of Tom's death. A good deal happened between Tom's conviction and his death. He, as well as Atticus, continued to fight for some time after the initial trial and that too added to Bob Ewell's anger towards Atticus and his inevitable need for revenge against him. Another way that the film differs from the novel is that it removes some characters who is absence leaves a void. I am speaking of Atticus' sister, Aunt Alexandra. I feel she was a wonderful character who worked as a foil to Atticus. It is through her actions that the reader comes to truly understand where Atticus comes from and how educated in the ways of the world he is. The mere fact that he comes from such upstanding lineage, bordering on the arrogant and aloof, adds to strength of character. It is because of where he comes from that Atticus manages to be such an even and sound voice of reason in such tumultuous times. Without Aunt Alexandra to represent this background one sees Atticus as a "too good to be true" character.
To Kill A Mockingbird tells the story of a young girl, Scout, who comes of age and eventually comprehends that not all people are open-minded, or kind. Scouts interactions with other people help to shape her and allow her to accept that not everyone has the same thoughts and opinions as her. Scout and Jem’s interactions with Atticus help the reader clearly understand that he is a responsible, courageous, and non judgmental man.
As most everyone knows, there are differences between a book and it’s movie adaptation. This is applicable to the book and it’s movie counterpart To Kill a Mockingbird, as well. But aside from the differences, there are also similarities between these two.
Atticus adopts the beliefs, morals and values he teaches his children to his own life. Through Jem’s point of view, he is witnessing how hard it is for a morphine-addicted old lady named Ms. Dubose (their neighbour) to fight through pain so that she can die (uncontrolled)unaddicted because even though she knew she was defeated by how strong morphine is, she tried anyway and she succeeded to die belonged to nothing and no one as she wanted. She is courageous because she choses not to die with the aid of morphine. ___ but to control herself and have strength to endure such pain showing people including Jem how courageous a person she is.
Jill McCorkle's Ferris Beach, a contemporary novel, shares numerous characteristics with Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel written in the 1960's. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, McCorkle's novel documents the life of a young girl in a small southern town. The two narrators, Kate Burns and Scout Finch, endure difficult encounters. A study of these main characters reveals the parallels and differences of the two novels. Jill McCorkle duplicates character similarities and rape from Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird to show the reader how young girls think and develop.
Out of all the books I have read, To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite. When someone told me that this book has been banned in many schools, I am perplexed because it does not seem like a “harmful” book. The author of this book, Harper Lee, elaborated on real-world conflicts, and proved an important point in the storyline: despite Atticus’s efforts and capable defense, Tom Robinson is found guilty. This forces Scout and Jem upon a sad yet true understanding, which is that the morals that Atticus has taught them may not be reconciled with the evils of human nature; there is a coexistence, no matter what. The event of Tom being found guilty refers to the main lesson of the book’s title. The author explains the sinfulness in killing a mockingbird,
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus explains that “You 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”. His words are related to the theme that considering things from another’s point of view is important in understanding their life, which is expressed in both To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and the adaptation, written by Spencer Kayden, of “The Prince and the Pauper”. Several characters including Scout, Edward, Jem, and Tom demonstrate behaviors and actions which help in shaping the theme, through their understanding of it or lack thereof.
Chinese novelist Mo Yan once said the following: “One of the biggest problems in literature is the lack of subtlety.” But trends tend to prove otherwise. In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, which is often regard the best american novel ever written, subtlety is found rarely throughout. Whether it be in her characterization or allegory she fails to leave the reader with a shred of doubt about what or who she is talking about, through her incessant circumlocution, if it can be called that, she delivers a vivid and redundant recount of events through the eyes of a young Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. If a section of the story (which encompass numerous almost unrelated shorter stories) were to be taken and examined, The Trial (chapters 17-22) would prove the most fruitful, and so it will serve as the subject of this essay.
To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill may be set sixty years apart, but they both explore similar themes, such as the predominant racism in the deep south. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the small fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. The story is told by Jean-Louise “Scout” Finch as a young girl looking back on her childhood, and the court case that shook the cultural basis of the town. A Time to Kill is set in the late 1990’s in the fictional town of Clanton, Mississippi, where the town’s values and views on racial inequality have hardly changed over the years. Both A Time to Kill and To Kill a Mockingbird have similar meanings and conflicts, despite being based sixty years apart.
In the past, I have done reviews on John Adams, Rudy, Grease, and The Butler. For my fourth quarter movie review, I decided to watch To Kill A Mockingbird because I have already read the book and wanted to see the film adaptation of it. This movie focuses on the Finch family in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama around the time of the Great Depression. It is based off of the book of the same name by Harper Lee. Both focus on Scout and Jem Finch growing up in the deep South and struggling to figure out how to act in the world around them.