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Themes of writing from harper lee
How does harper lee use characterization to convey a theme in chapters 10-12
How does harper lee show the theme through literary elements in to kill a mockingbord
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In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, two characters, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, are both citizens of Maycomb. The metaphor “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” is also repeatedly told to Scout and Jem by the two citizens Atticus Finch and Maudie Atkinson (Lee 19). Many people believe that the mockingbird represents a living being dying because the metaphor refers to killing a live creature. However, if this is the case, the only clear example would be Tom Robinson, and he alone would not represent both Part 1 and Part 2 of the book. Understanding that the mockingbird does not represent a physical death helps the readers view the book in a more open sense, allowing the readers to fully comprehend the book. The metaphor means that it …show more content…
is wrong to have social prejudices against something inherently good, which Lee projects as the characters Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Topic Sentence #1: Tom Robinson represents the mockingbird as an inherently good being because he helps Mayella Ewell with her work, but still deals with prejudice, the “killing”, when he is convicted for a crime he does not commit, which is wrong because he is inherently good. Integrated Evidence #1: Tom Robinson does Mayella Ewell’s chores with her “lots of times” for “no charge” because the other Ewells don’t “help her none” (255, 256). Analysis: An inherently good person will try to do what will best benefit other people, such as doing tasks asked of them - for little to no compensation - to help benefit the other person because they think that the other person will feel better or be a better person because of it. In the action of helping her, Tom Robinson implies that he does it because she is lonely. Because she is lonely, by somewhat befriending her, Tom is benefiting her. Thus, by definition, Tom Robinson is inherently good. The mockingbird also represents inherent goodness, and therefore Tom Robinson is a mockingbird. Integrated Evidence #2: The jury decides that Tom Robinson is “guilty”, because, according to Reverend Sykes, juries in Maycomb do not “decide in favor” for “colored” men. As Atticus said, the people of Maycomb have an “evil assumption” that all colored people are “immoral” (282, 279, 273). Analysis: A social prejudice is an opinion a person has before meeting or knowing a person.
The citizens have preconceived ideas of what Tom Robinson will say and do because of his skin color. Because they have ideas of what Robinson will be like before meeting him, they have a social prejudice against him. It is wrong to have these prejudices because they are based on, in this case, a stereotype, which has no concrete proof. Because Robinson is inherently good and has social prejudices against him which are wrong, he shows that like it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is wrong to have social prejudices against an inherently good man.
Topic Sentence #2: Boo Radley also represents the inherent goodness of a mockingbird in both giving Jem and Scout gifts and in saving their lives, but he is cut down by the social prejudices that the citizens of Maycomb base on a supposed appearance and history, which is wrong, as it is the act of “killing” the mockingbird.
Integrated Evidence #1: At the beginning of the book, Jem and Scout receive multiple gifts, consisting of “images carved in soap”, and a “pocket watch” to list a few, from a mysterious person who is later revealed to be Boo Radley. Near the end of the book, Boo does his “utmost” to keep Bob Ewell from killing Jem and Scout, doing the town a “great service”
(369). Analysis: An inherently good person will often go through many actions to keep minors for from being hurt. In saving the children from Ewell, Boo Radley does this, even though he could have become a convicted man. Because the action of keeping them safe constitutes an inherently good person, Boo Radley is inherently good. In this sense, he is like a mockingbird, as both represent inherent goodness. Integrated Evidence #2: Right at the beginning of the book, Jem rants to Scout and Dill about Boo, repeatedly claiming he is “six-and-a-half feet tall” with blood-stained hands from eating “raw squirrels” and “cats” (16). Analysis: Jem and Scout base their earlier perspectives of Boo on the social biases of the citizens of Maycomb. Following the earlier definition of social prejudice, because Jem and Scout have an opinion of him before meeting him, they have a social prejudice against him. Recall, Radley can represent a mockingbird. A mockingbird represents inherent goodness, and he has social prejudices against him despite this. Having social prejudices against an inherently good person is similar to killing a mockingbird; both are sins or are wrong. Work Cited: Lee, Nelle Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2010. Print.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, we are presented with various representations of stereotypes involving numerous characters of all ages. Due to specific encounters, we are faced with repeated stereotypical situations. For example, Walter Cunningham is a poor, misunderstood boy who comes from an underestimated family name. Along with the main character Scout, who narrates the story from a young age and finds herself constantly reminded to be the lady she is not. In like manner, Tom Robinson is familiar with the ways of Maycomb, Alabama who easily loses hope with his case of an alleged rape. Walter, Scout and Tom all validate as victims of stereotyping, but from the goodwill within and taking the time to understand someone beforehand,
Tom Robinson was negatively affected by racism because it lead to his death after an unfair trial. Atticus says “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewells opened her mouth and screamed”(Lee 323). Since Tom, a black man, was accused of raping Mayella, a white woman, Tom wasn’t going to win the court case because he was a black man against a white woman. Tom Robinson said ”Mr. Finch, if you was a n…. like me, you’d be scared too.”(Lee 261). This quote proves that Tom believed that he didn't think that he wasn’t going to win the trial, and that's why he tried to run from jail so he had somewhat of a chance. Tom Robinson’s life was ruined by racism was.
In Harper Lee’s, “To Kill A Mockingbird” a true definition of the mockingbird is shown, a symbol extremely important to the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Boo Radley is condemned – not because of his own actions but the misdeeds of those around him. Many stories were forged to generate a bad vibe for the name Boo Radley to the point that his house was essentially taboo. Later on Tom Robinson is proven as the Ultimate Mockingbird, Tom is just an average negro who tried to help out a white person, which was obviously a bad decision. Another definition of a mockingbird is innocence, which is evident in Atticus’ daughter Scout. The unwritten law, “It is a sin to kill a mockingbird” is often overlooked and also obeyed in Maycomb County.
The symbolism of the mockingbird plays a huge role in the development of the theme in the novel. The mockingbird symbolizes innocence. In the book, it is believed that it is a sin to kill a man mockingbird because they bring about no harm, only beautiful music to enjoy. In the same sense, killing a mockingbird would be the equivalent of evil defeating good. This is represented multiple times in the novel through characters like Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson. All of whom try to bring about the good in people rather than focus on the evil in the community.
Sometimes, people discriminate one thing, but strongly oppose the discrimination of another thing. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, this issue is very much expressed throughout the story. This thought-provoking story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during a time when there’s a rape trial against a falsely accused African American named Tom Robinson. There is also a discrimination, of sorts, towards a man named Boo Radley, by three young children named Jeremy “Jem” Finch, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and Charles “Dill” Baker Harris. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are similar in their own ways through their inherent goodness.
Among the many plots within the story, many of them surround Boo Radley or attempting to have Boo Radley come out of his house. In these stories show Jem, Scout, and Dill are terrified of the Radley house and what be inside. However, they are mistaken, for Boo Radley wants to do the exact opposite of scaring the children. For example, Boo tries to show friendship to Scout and Jem by leaving them gifts in the tree outside of his house. These gifts include dolls, gum, a knife, a watch, etc. Boo also is thought to have wrapped Scout in a blanket during the chapter in which Miss Maudie’s house had burned down. Boo Radley is thought to have done it because Atticus says “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you.” (Lee 96) supporting the fact that Boo Radley was looking out for Scout. Lastly, Boo Radley saved Scout and Jem when they were attacked by Bob Ewell. This heroic effort was not only full of care, but also, full of
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee utilizes the significant symbol of a mockingbird to convey the coming of age theme of knowing someone’s background before forming opinions. When Scout and Jem get airsoft guns for Christmas, Atticus knows they will go “after birds,” so he allows them to “shoot all the bluejays” as long as they do not “kill a mockingbird” because it is “a sin” (Lee 119). Through close analysis, the advice Atticus presents has a much deeper meaning to it than originally perceived. The “mockingbird” is a symbol for all of the innocent people that are portrayed unjustly and the “bluejays” represent the malevolent individuals. Also, Lee’s decision to use the word “sin” suggests that killing a mockingbird is absolutely iniquitous,
In everyday life people use symbols to give things a deeper meaning. The author Harper Lee who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird uses different symbols to describe people and places in the story. In To Kill A Mockingbird Tom Robinson symbolizes the racial inequality that existed by society because of his race.
The mockingbird is a powerful symbol that is repeatedly seen throughout the novel. The bird is representative of the innocence and susceptibility of certain characters. Shooting birds in Maycomb is a past time, and one day, while Jem is practicing his shot, Atticus reminds him, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). A mockingbird is a harmless creature that does not harm anyone or anything. Atticus doesn't mind his children shooting blue jays because they are ordinary birds who cause problems, but he feels that mockingbirds are innocent creatures whose lives should be preserved; therefore, it would be a sin to kill a mockingbird. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley exemplify the moc...
First of all, the scene that I picked from the book To Kill A Mockingbird was chapter 4. In the book it says “ Two live oaks stood at the edge of the Radley lot...some tinfoil was stuck in a knot-hole just above my eye level, winking at me in the afternoon sun….Jem looked around, reached up, and gingerly pocketed a tiny shiny package. We ran home, and on the front porch, we looked at a small box patchworked with bits of tinfoil collected from chewing-gum wrappers” This shows that Scout and Jem finds out about the chewing-gum but not just that also the box that they have found at the oak tree near that Radley’s place. Sure Scout and Jem don’t find out that Boo Radley was the one that left gum and the box, but that shows that scene people recognize Boo Radley as a villain here and he never left his house so when he left that gift for Scout and Jem
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (p.90) Miss. Maudie, one of the main protagonists in To Kill a Mockingbird, warns the young girl Scout that mockingbirds should not to be killed or hunted down because they represent those who are kind and innocent. So, on a broader spectrum, the term “to kill a mockingbird” symbolizes cruel and improper behavior towards people with good hearts and intentions. In the town of Maycomb, unethical behaviors, such as prejudice and gossip, are most commonly used against the “mockingbirds”. Three of those “mockingbirds” that are featured in this novel are Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch. Due to the depiction of the mockingbird symbol in the novel, the reader understands the consequences that immoral attitudes have towards those who are innocent and kindhearted.
Racism is a problem that has been around for multiple centuries. In To Kill a Mockingbird it demonstrates how racism can affect one person even in the court of law. In this story, the case of Tom Robinson is told. It is obvious that Robinson is a victim of racist people that see him guilty only because of his race, African American. From the beginning, it seems obvious that Robinson does not have a chance in winning his case whether he is guilty or not. To the people, they hear the story from a white family, and in this time white people’s words are better than African Americans’, whether it is right or wrong. In this story, a white family sets out to help Tom Robinson. This is not a common event to happen
In this world, everyone has an equal right; however, many people are getting falsely accused of acts they did not commit even though they are innocent. Mockingbirds, one of the most innocent birds, sing their heart out for people to enjoy, however, they getting killed every day. In this novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many racial prejudices going on. Finches stand near the top of the social hierarchy, with Cunningham and Ewells underneath. Black community in Maycomb is even below the Ewells, even if they were a hard worker; they were not treated equally. The “mockingbirds” represents the idea of innocence, so killing a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, many characters are considered a mockingbird. Three examples are Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Those three characters are innocent; they are kind and were never harmful to others. However, they were destroyed through contact of evil. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the mockingbirds symbolizes the idea of innocence, and Tom, Boo, and Mr. Raymond are considered one of it.
and escape from prison and in doing so cause his death. Both characters are caring, for example, Boo Radley gives Jem and Scout two figurines, chewing gum, a tarnished medal, pocket watch and more. an aluminium knife via a knot-hole in a tree on the Radley property. However, Mr Radley cements the hole so Boo cannot send gifts to the children anymore, this is also an example of Boo's dominance. Tom Robinson helps Mayella Ewell on her property do many chores, as he does.
The main symbols discussed and portrayed in the book were Tim Johnson, the Mockingbirds and Boo Radley. Tim Johnson was a neighbourhood dog who appeared down the Finch’s street one day, but looked very ill and was rabid. Calpurnia the black maid working at the Finch’s rang Atticus and he shot it. Tim Johnson could symbolize the prejudice and mob mentality of Maycomb at the time and because Atticus shot Tim this represents Atticus’s morals beliefs about stopping racism and creating equality. The Mockingbird used in the title of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is the most important symbol depicted in this novel. One day Atticus told Jem that he’d rather Jem shoot at tin cans, but he knew Jem would go after birds. He gave Jem permission to shoot all the blue jays he felt like, but it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. Jem then went to Miss Maudie to ask about what Atticus had just said, "Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This conveys the loss of innocence in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and thus killing a Mockingbird is to destroy innocence. A number of characters (Jem, Tom Robinson, Dill, Boo Radley, Mr. Raymond) can be identified as Mockingbirds who have been injured or destroyed through their contact with evil. As the novel progresses, the children’s perspective towards Boo Radley matures and this replicates the development of the children. Boo Radley was once an intelligent child, only to be ruined by his cruel father is one of the most important mockingbirds as his innocence was destroyed. Luckily for Jem and Scout, Boo was merely a source of childhood superstition often leaving presents for them. Despite the pain that Boo