analysis paper

1100 Words3 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel by Harper Lee embodies a work of Southern literature, set in the 1930s in a small town in Alabama. The book’s genre exemplifies a coming-of-age historical fiction story. The narrator, a young girl named Scout Finch, describes the lessons she and her brother Jem learn when their father, a lawyer named Atticus, defends an African American man who stands accused of raping a white woman. The novel’s premise revolves around the efforts of a father raising his children and guiding them in their moral development. Along the way, the book deals with the themes of courage, prejudice and maturity. These three concepts are defined differently by Atticus than by most of the other people in the town where he lives. According to Atticus, courage means doing what remains as right and resisting what remains as wrong, even if other people oppose you. In contrast to the prejudice of the townspeople, Atticus believes it important to treat everyone equally. Maturity, in Atticus’ view, refers to having a sense of conscience and seeking to protect those who remain innocent. As these definitions show, Atticus Finch displays a strong sense of ethics. His goal as a parent remains to pass his values on to his children. This paper will argue that Scout and Jem learn the true meanings of courage, prejudice and maturity through the influence of their father and the example he sets for them.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the author depicts courage in terms of doing that which serves as right, even when there exists little chance of success. As Atticus explains to Jem, real courage does not occur in the ability to fight or use a gun; rather, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it thro...

... middle of paper ...

...ore, prejudice symbolizes an evil force that causes harm to the innocent. In his perspective, the right thing to do denotes treating other people with equality and love. Atticus defines maturity in terms of moral development and having a conscience. In all three of these areas, Atticus sets an important example for his children to follow. He shows courage, a lack of prejudice, and a sense of maturity in how he deals with the representation in the Tom Robinson trial and how he reacts to the unpleasant words of Mrs. Dubose. Through such acts, Atticus demonstrates the value of tolerance and maintaining an open mind towards others. It takes a great deal of courage to do this when so much prejudice exists in your immediate world. With his tolerance and courage, Atticus guides his children in their growth from the innocence of childhood toward the maturity of adulthood.

Open Document