Adaptation: Better or Worse?
“Don’t be afraid to change you may lose something good but you may gain something better,” this quote directly fits with the astonishing novel, To Kill A Mockingbird which contains many themes and messages for readers to take from. The real question to be asked is, does the movie have the same impact? This book is told through a flashback, by Jean Louise Finch also known as Scout who tells the story of her childhood in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Scout and her brother Jem have heard frightful stories about a misunderstood man named Boo Radley. This book allows readers to see what life was like back then and what the children had to go through growing up. This book shows the theme of innocence and how it can
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be ruined, understanding one another and prejudice or discrimination. To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee who was a descendant of the famous, Robert E. Lee. The movie was directed years later by Robert Mulligan. Three differences that stand out in the movie vs. the book had to do with: the kids attending to church with Calpurnia, Jem reading to Mrs. Dubose, and the lady’s missionary circle. There are many differences in the To Kill a Mockingbird movie that are prominent to fans who read the book. In the book, Calpurnia accompanying the children to church brings an essential depth and meaning to her character.
As stated before, the children are growing up in a town full of hatred and prejudice for African Americans. Scout and Jem are viewing firsthand that hating African Americans is normal based on the people they are around. Atticus, their father, however, is defending a black man named Tom Robinson who was unjustly accused of rape so Scout and Jem were getting about it. While attending the African American mass, they saw the other side of Calpurnia and how differently she spoke around the other African Americans. Therefore, since this scene was not in the movie fans did not get to see the depth to Calpurnia’s character. They also did not get to see this magnificent example of the theme of understanding since Scout and Jem could now understand what they were going through. Calpurnia says, “’What you want Lula?’ she asked, in tones I had never heard her use” (Lee 158). This quote allows readers to see how shocked Jem and Scout were with the form of dialect Calpurnia was now …show more content…
using. However, Calpurnia taking the kids to church was a big part in the novel but Jem reading to Mrs.
Dubose also played a huge role. While reading the novel, it is clear that Atticus wants Jem to read to Mrs. Dubose for him to further understand the meaning of true courage. Deeper in the book, Atticus states that Jem reading to Mrs. Dubose was beneficial to her because it was a way for her to fight her morphine addiction. Atticus said, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew” (Lee 149). This not being in the movie did not allow us to see Jem’s growth and understanding as a young boy. It also taught him to take account for his actions and had a role in his maturity
development. Finally, even though Jem reading to Mrs. Dubose took a huge toll on the dynamic of the novel, so did the missionary circle scene. The missionary circle was the women of Maycomb gathering together and gossiping about their town. Mrs. Merriweather said, “At least we don’t have that sin on our shoulders down here. People set ‘em free , but you don’t ‘em settin’ at the table with ‘em. At least we don’t have the deceit to say ‘em yes you’re as good as we are but stay away from us. Down here we just say you live your way and we’ll live ours. I think that woman, that Mrs. Roosevelt’s lost her mind—just plain lost her mind coming down to Birmingham and tryin’ sit with ‘em. If I was mayor Birmingham I’d—” (Lee 125). With that said, this scene not being in the movie was a very important difference and had an enormous effect for a variety of reasons. This particular scene shows the ongoing theme of prejudice throughout the entire novel. It’s also an example of situational irony because the women were conversing about the tribe when everyone in Maycomb is against Atticus for defending an African American man. When reading this part in the book, it allowed readers to paint a more vivid picture and see how hypocritical and prejudiced the town was. With that said, it not being in the movie did not allow fans to grasp a further understanding of the level of racial discrimination. In conclusion, it is obvious to see that the certain scenes left out in the movie that were included in the book were vital to the plot. The kids going to church allowed readers to see more to Calpurnia besides her role as the mother figure of the Finch household. Jem reading to Mrs. Dubose allowed him to see what genuine courage was. Finally, the missionary circle demonstrated the segregation of Maycomb and how deceptive the women of the circle were. Nevertheless, the book and the movie were truly different but both still captured the same conspicuous theme of understanding no matter what scenes were left out.
“You can't delete racism. It's like a cigarette. You can't stop smoking if you don't want to, and you can't stop racism if people don't want to. But I'll do everything I can to help”-Mario Balotelli. This quote applies to “To Kill a Mockingbird” because racism is common throughout the novel and a select few characters don't fall to the common influence of racism.
What does it mean to be a good parent? The most common definition of a good parent is one who makes their children feel valued and loved, by teaching them the difference between right and wrong. At the end of the day, the most essential thing is to create a nurturing environment where your children feel like they can mature into confident, independent, and caring adults. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird defines what a true parent really is thought hardships and struggles throughout the book. The story is set in the Depression era of a little town in southern Alabama that is struggling with thick prejudice on a colored rape case. The story is told through a character
A movie rarely does a book justice, the To Kill a Mockingbird movie truly brought the book to life. However, the book is still better than the movie. The book is far superior because, the movie deviates character development by leaving out certain events, the movie is missing key characters such as Aunt Alexandra, and some casting choices took away from certain characters. First of all, the movie left out specific events and characters, which deviated the story. The three summers in the book are condensed into a summer and a half.
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.
...n you know that you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway…She died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew” (149). This description of Mrs. Dubose’s bravery served as a sharp contrast to Jem’s view of courage. He saw it as the sheer defiance of fear and the strength to overcome every obstacle. Atticus’ description provided a new, more realistic assessment of bravery. Witnessing the immense will and courage of Mrs. Dubose inspired a complete change in Jem’s attitude about courage. At the beginning of the story, Jem believed the courage was merely the absence of fear. At the conclusion of Part One, however, he gained a new perspective on bravery, identifying it as the ability to endure in the face of inevitable failure. In discovering this fact, Jem not only gained a new attitude towards bravery, but also grew as a character.
“You’ll never leave” is carved faintly into the brick wall of the small jail cell, probably from its last guest. Every day, I started to believe the phrase more and more. I lay on the uncomfortable cot, pretending to be asleep. I’m lonely, but I’m not alone. I can hear him breathing and slowly flipping the pages of the newspaper; I assume it’s Mr. Heck Tate.
“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 is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 94). This quote, delivered in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, introduces the mockingbird which is incorporated symbolically throughout the novel. The mockingbird, in presenting its gifts of music and beauty, is the symbol of Atticus’s practice of altruism because he believes in society’s responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable and innocent.
Dubose. As the kids discuss the trial with their father, Scout begins to question why Atticus insists on helping Tom. Atticus tells them, “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 76). Previously, Jem believed that bravery was never turning down a dare. After listening to his father, however, he begins to understand that bravery is much more than that. Atticus’s influence on Jem starts to transform him into a much wiser and more thoughtful person. Additionally, after Jem is forced to read to Mrs. Dubose, he tries to understand why Atticus respects her so much. Atticus says, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 112). Jem finally understands that the true meaning of bravery is to do what is right, even when others disagree. This thought begins to shape Jem’s behavior, in that he starts to act more like Atticus. Being able to understand the meaning of courage allows Jem to act much more mature. As Jem is growing older, his growth in maturity is expanding to not only his family, but to all aspects of his
The advice Atticus gives the children throughout the story is important not only to the plot of the story, but to how the children behave. This advice shows the children that the way the rest of Maycomb behaves and treats each other is not always right. For example, he teaches the children to love everyone regardless of who they are, what they’ve done or the color of their skin. The way they treat Calpurnia is an example of this. Calpurnia is the black cook for the Finch household, and even though she is black she is exceptionally respected by every member of the house and even serves as a mother figure for the children. There is a scene in the novel where Scout is disrespecting company and Calpurnia disciplines her. “’…That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear. He aint company, Cal, hes just a Cunningham - Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t ...
She is portrayed as a motherly figure towards Scout who teaches her some valuable lessons throughout the years. First off, Calpurnia teaches Scout to be well-mannered and treat everyone well no matter their class, race or religion. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. When Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner and pours syrup all over his food, Scout tells him that it is not the proper way to eat. “‘Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!’” (Lee 33). Calpurnia explains to Scout that everyone has their way of living and it is not very lady-like to criticize someone. Scout seems to have learnt her lesson later on in the book when Aunt Alexandra invites her missionary circle to the house. “‘Can I help you Cal?’ I asked, wishing to be of some service” (Lee 306). Scout asks Calpurnia if she can help since they have guests over and she is trying to be polite by serving them. Moreover, Calpurnia teaches and shows Scout the harsh reality of the world (racial segregation). For instance, Scout has been told that she should respect everyone and treat them equally but when she went to church, what she sees is the complete opposite. “‘You ain’t got business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’s’” (Lee 158). Ms.Lula is judging Calpurnia for
Harper Lee is most famous for her class, American-literature novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee created a story that reflects compassion, loss of innocence, and the courage to break barriers in the midst of adversity. By creating this novel, she built one of the most model, male figures in all works of writing: Atticus Finch. Today, Atticus Finch is seen as a literary hero, and a role model for many people. From his wise council, to his unprejudiced love and care for others, Atticus Finch lives up to the strong title of being a hero.
For this assignment, I decided to do my film review on To Kill a Mockingbird (Mulligan, R., & Pakula, A. (Directors). (1962). To Kill a Mockingbird[Motion picture on VHS]. United States of America.) I have a personal connection to this film because it is one of my most beloved novels by Harper Lee. I have never watched the film so it was a nice experience to see the characters I have loved for years come to life just before my eyes. The film particularly focuses on a white family living in the South of the United States in the 1930s. The two siblings, Jem and Scout Finch, undergo major changes while experiencing evil and injustice in their small town of Maycomb. Jem and Scout’s father is named Atticus and he is a well-respected man in the town as well as being a lawyer.
Scout Finch, the youngest child of Atticus Finch, narrates the story. It is summer and her cousin Dill and brother Jem are her companions and playmates. They play all summer long until Dill has to go back home to Maridian and Scout and her brother start school. The Atticus’ maid, a black woman by the name of Calpurnia, is like a mother to the children. While playing, Scout and Jem discover small trinkets in a knothole in an old oak tree on the Radley property. Summer rolls around again and Dill comes back to visit. A sence of discrimination develops towards the Radley’s because of their race. Scout forms a friendship with her neighbor Miss Maudie, whose house is later burnt down. She tells Scout to respect Boo Radley and treat him like a person. Treasures keep appearing in the knothole until it is filled with cement to prevent decay. As winter comes it snows for the first time in a century. Boo gives scout a blanket and she finally understands her father’s and Miss Maudie’s point of view and treats him respectfully. Scout and Jem receive air guns for Christmas, and promise Atticus never to shoot a mockingbird, for they are peaceful and don’t deserve to die in that manner. Atticus then takes a case defending a black man accused of rape. He knows that such a case will bring trouble for his family but he takes it anyways. This is the sense of courage he tries to instill in his son Jem.
To Kill A Mockingbird is an illustrious novel written by Harper Lee in 1960. The novel takes place in Maycomb County, Alabama, during the 1930’s Great Depression. Throughout the novel, many life lessons are taught to Scout, but the lessons indubitably apply to the reader’s life outside of the book. The lessons were primarily taught by the lawyer of Maycomb County, Atticus Finch, and the neighbor of the Finches, Miss Maudie Atkinson. Jean Louise “Scout” Finch and Jem Finch who are the children of Atticus fundamentally received the life lessons. Three life lessons Scout learns, which will inevitably impact any reader of this classic novel are: courage is not just manifested in one’s physical being, but must be a mental capability as well, staying true to oneself no matter what the situation, and that people should not judge others without truly understanding whom they are.
At the time of its release, To kill a mockingbird was widely received with harsh criticism and negative reviews, due to its content. 56 years later, the book is still considered unfit for young minds. To kill a mockingbird’s powerful message about rape and racial discrimination is something that every student should learn. Harper’s lee novel, To kill a mockingbird, talks about two plots; the first being about the mystery of the Radley Place and its inhabitants Boo Radley. This is about the house where someone lives and no one gets out of it.