A theme for the novel To Kill A Mockingbird would be, it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This theme is not only represented in the novel, but also in the real world. First, the theme was expressed in the text by this quote, “‘Don't do that, Scout. Set him out on the back steps.’... A role-poly had found his way inside the house… I lay on my stomach, reached down and poked him… Feeling sleepy, I decided to end things. My hand was going down on him when Jem spoke… ‘Why couldn't I mash him?’ I asked. ‘Because they don't bother you,’ Jem answered in the darkness.” (Pg. 320) This quote displays the theme because the roly-poly did nothing wrong, just like the mockingbird, which is why it does not deserve to be harmed. Another example would be, “‘Tom’s …show more content…
dead.’... ‘They shot him,’ said Atticus. ‘He was running… he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over.
Right in front of them–’... ‘... Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn't have to shoot him that much.’” (Pg. 315) The previous quote represents the theme because Tom Robinson was innocent, and was put into jail without solid evidence. Which is why he was the mockingbird and did not deserve to be shot, or put into jail because he had not done anything to hurt or bother anyone. Lastly, “‘... Shoot all, the bluejays you want, if you hit ‘em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”... ‘Your father’s right,’ she 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.’” (Pg. 119) Explaining itself, the quote says why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, and why it is important to follow this rule. Why would you hurt something that does nothing to bother or harm you? It is as simple as being a good fellow to your surroundings, respect and be kind to everything around …show more content…
you. In the real world today, you often do not see people being kind and not harming one another. However, that does not make it any less important. An example of people “killing a mockingbird” would be the Holocaust. In the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler killed Jews, who did nothing to hurt him or other Germans, but they were still killed inhumanely and tortured. Even an act as simple as walking over an ant hill is the sin of killing a mockingbird. At first glance, it seems like an innocent act, however in reality you just killed many insects and destroyed their home just for your own pleasure. Did those ants do anything to harm you other than eat the crumbs you left behind? Most likely not, but you still thought it to be okay to completely demolish their lives. All in all, this is why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird is the theme for this novel. I believe Jem grows the most in the novel because of the following evidence found in the text.
The reason I believe Jem grows the most is because you can see the growth of his maturity numerous times throughout the book. One example of this would be how Jem no longer thinks fighting resolves problems. “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop. ‘You're bigger’n he is,’ he said. ‘He's as old as you, nearly,’ I said. ‘He made me start off on the wrong foot.’ ‘Let him go, Scout.’” (Pg. 30) The quote shows how Jem has learned to control his feelings, and how he tries to teach Scout the same. Another example of Jem flourishing would be his understanding of how people have different morals, and how he is able to respect that. “When we went home I told Jem we'd really have something to talk about at school on Monday… ‘Don't say anything about it Scout… I reckon if he'd wanted us to know it, he’da told us.’ he said.” (Pg. 130) As you can see, Scout tries to expose Atticus to all of her peers, just to boast about her father. However, Jem understands that is not what Atticus wants and tries to do what he feels is right, which is keeping his knowledge to himself. Lastly, when children are younger, they tend to do what they want without thinking about those around them. They also neglect to think about the consequences of their actions. In the following quote, you can see how Jem has
grown in the aspect of knowing his boundaries. “I made to run, but Jem caught me. ‘Don't go to him,’ he said, ‘he might not like it. He's all right, let's go home. I just wanted to see where he was.’” (Pg. 201) In this, you see how Jem thinks through what his actions will do, and knows not to go to Atticus unless he wants to get into trouble. Throughout the entire novel, you can see Jem grew and see how his maturity has blossomed and is now turning into a respectable young man. Overall, this is why I believe Jem Finch grew the most in the novel.
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, takes place in the 1930s in a small Alabama county called Maycomb. The novel is about the Finch family of three. Atticus, the father, Scout the older brother and Scout the younger sister, who acts like a tomboy. Scout may be a lady, but does not like to act like one, she likes to play and get dirty with her brother. Being young, both children learn lessons throughout the novel by many different residents, such as, Calpurnia, the maid, Miss Maudie, the neighbor, and their father, Atticus. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird various citizens in the town of Maycomb play an important role in the lives of Jem and Scout Finch
In the 1930’s, turmoil has erupted in Maycomb, Alabama all because the young lady Mayella Ewell has accused African-American Tom Robinson of raping and sexually assaulting her. Yet, Mayella Ewell has no power because of her race, class, and gender. At the time, Maycomb, Alabama was at the peak of segregation against African-Americans. Mayella Ewell may be white, but that does not mean her class, gender, nor her race give her power.
In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Lee presents the tree as a way to allude to something that it’s not: Boo Radley. The tree itself is on the Radley lot, and it symbolizes Boo and him trying to communicate to the children through the knot-hole, the fact that it’s a tree is significant in that trees are deep rooted and can’t move, much like boo’s communication with the children is very limited because he doesn’t leave the house. The children do recognize his want to communicate as they write him a letter, ‘dear sir… we appreciate everything you have done for us’. When the hole gets filled with cement, it symbolizes the end of the communication; ‘tree’s dying. You plug ‘em with cement when they’re sick’ is the reason
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee, that teaches many themes, one of which being very important is courage. Many people think that courage is a man with a gun in his hand, but Lee’s definition is much different. She thinks that courage is when you know that you’re beaten before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. The first quote I have to further explain this is early in the story when Atticus tells Jem and Scout about the court case he is handling. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 101). Atticus knows he won’t win the court case, but he still tries his best and doesn’t falter whatsoever. Many people scrutinize him for defending a negro, but he ignores them like he should, and shows maturity and courage.
In addition, Scout learns about morality from Atticus after she is taunted at school. Cecil Jacobs begins giving Scout trouble at school because Atticus is defending a black man. Scout isn’t sure what he means by that or why it is such a bad thing, so she consults Atticus to learn more about the matter. Atticus explains to Scout that he is defending Tom Robinson, a black man, in a trial. Atticus says he has to do it although he knows he isn’t going to win, he says “‘ If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t this county in the state legislature. I couldn't even tell you and Jem not to do something again’’’ (100). Atticus wants to fight for what he believes is right, even if there is almost no chance of him winning. In addition, Atticus asks Scout not to fight when someone makes comments about him or this case. Through Atticus actions, Scout learns to have integrity, even if it means making tough decisions. For example, Scout walks away from a
Tom Robinson is a kind black man whom Atticus is defending against the charge that he raped Mayella Ewell. Atticus knows that he will lose because Tom is black, but he also knows that Tom is innocent and that he has to defend him. Tom Robinson is portrayed as a hard-working father and husband in the novel and he was only attempting to help Mayella since no one else would, but she made advances that he refused and her father saw them. On the witness stand, he testifies that he helped her because, "'Mr. Ewell didn't seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun.'" (256). Even though Tom helps Mayella out of kindness and pity, Mayella is trapped and must accuse him of raping her to save her own life. Shortly after being wrongfully convicted
Scout always listening to the knowledge of her teachers when she was younger makes her innocent and naive. First, Scout’s constant obedience to her teachers and lack of retaliation for her beliefs express her naiveness: “Now tell your father not to teach you anymore. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage...Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now” (Lee 23). This quote expresses how Scout was belittled by her teacher for reading outside of school. This aggravates Scout, however she holds in her anger, like any child, and she is forced to sit down at the command of her teacher, Miss Caroline. Also, Scout couldn’t defend herself when she explained to
The quote by Zora Neale Hurston, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer,” shows that coming of age is a tricky project that takes time and effort. In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, she writes about Scout Finch, the narrator, reflecting on her past and the challenges she went through in her hometown, Maycomb, with her brother Jem and childhood friend Dill.. Harper Lee uses the young characters in the novel to show experiences, their role models, and conflict help shape a person from child to adult.
Atticus Finch is a great father but a better man. Atticus isn't just a regular man in the 1930’s, in Maycomb, Alabama. He is, I quote from the book, “Atticus represents the moral backbone of the town of Maycomb.” Atticus demonstrates his empathy, integrity and acceptance throughout the book.
“Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). That’s what Atticus says to Jem and Scout when they want to kill birds with their new rifle guns. To Kill A Mockingbird is an excellent novel with a plethora of deep, powerful messages and themes found within the story. One theme that was especially dominant was the idea of gossip and innocence. This theme is recurrent throughout the entire novel. A symbol that aids the theme is the mockingbird, ironically found in the title of the book. Harper Lee used a variety of quotes and the mockingbird symbol to demonstrate how gossip can control a group of people (the town) and destroy the innocence found within people.
Marcus Aurelius once said, “Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil.” In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the character of Maycomb was living proof of this quote. Elderly and stubborn, he refused to change no matter how much time went by. The days moved slowly for him, though. Always merciless and harsh, he was stuck in an era that had long been passed in other parts of the world. Maycomb refused to believe that people unlike him were still equal to him. The characters of Mrs. Dubose, Bob Ewell, and Miss Gates showcased the aspects of Maycomb. Mrs. Dubose was wrathful and brutal to Scout, Jem, and Atticus when they tried to be kind. Bob Ewell attempted to kill Scout and Jem just to get revenge on Atticus. Miss Gates was a hypocrite, pitying the Jews, but being cruel to African Americans. Maycomb was old, hateful,
a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee writes about a small Alabama town. This story takes place in Maycomb County, Alabama during the Great Depression. It’s narrated by a little girl called Scout. The book tells the story of a family and their involvement in a trial with a black man being accused of rape. Scout’s father, Atticus is the accused man’s lawyer. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Fire, a Mockingbird and Camellias to foreshadow the loss of innocence.
In the novel to kill a Mockingbird three birds that bring joy to the world are mentioned in Harper
“I got somethin' to say an' then I ain't gonna say no more. That nigger yonder took advantage of me an' if you fine fancy gentlemen don't wanta do nothin' about it then you're all yellow stinkin' cowards, stinkin' cowards, the lot of you. Your fancy airs don't come to nothin'—your ma'amin' and Miss Mayellerin' don't come to nothin', Mr. Finch-" (18, 251). These are some of the most interesting words spoken by Mayella Ewell; who accused Tom Robinson of rape, and had gone to court. She is only 19, and lives in an abusive, filthy, and unhealthy household, where she is essentially the caretaker and a mother figure to her siblings, and through the trial, we find that her father physically and sexually abuses her. The only material objects that show us a glimpse of Mayella’s true personality are her potted red geraniums by the house, showing us her longing to be within a place that gives her comfort and, the ability to be free and hopeful. But, during the trial, she tarnishes our sympathy by claiming lies about Tom Robinson, and what he did to her, ultimately killing and imprisoning him because of