To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee in the early 1960 's. The story takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. All is normal in this southern town until a particular court case involving an African American man named Tom Robinson comes to the attention of the residents of Maycomb. The case has also come to the attention of Atticus Finch. Atticus is a small town defense lawyer who, unlike anyone else in the town, disagrees with the false accusation of rape againest Tom Robinson. Lee uses the character Jean Louise (Scout) Finch to narrate the novel and reenact some of the issues she herself witnessed during this time period. Throughout this story Lee uses the conflicts occurring in the violently segregated south to show the historical
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Many harmless characters experience some type of drastic struggle in this novel. Jem and Scout learn that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds are peaceful and don’t harm any other animals. Miss Maudie explains, "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” (Lee 119). Jem and Scout are symbols of mockingbirds in the sense that they start out to be extremely innocent about what the world really is. Throughout the course of the novel Jem and Scout 's eyes are opened to the issues that surround them. As the story progresses and the children grow older, they develop a deeper understanding of why Maycomb County is what it is. They soon realize that the place they call home can be dangerous, cruel and can lack empathy. Tom Robinson is a prime example of a mockingbird. He is accused of a crime he did not commit all because he decided` to help someone in need. Tom loses his family, reputation and eventually his life because of the untrue …show more content…
The children 's change in attitude towards Boo Radley is a measurement of their progress from the beginning of the novel to the end. The children went from being completely innocent to a more mature grown-up mindset. As the story progresses, the children 's eyes are opened to the harsh realities of the world. They grow mentally through this experience, learning to analyze situations on a deeper level. A once happy, peaceful town began to appear as a threatening, oppressive community to the two children. Boo Radley 's character growth is the complete opposite. As the children mature throughout the story, they learn to carefully analyze Radley just as they were forced to analyze their community and surroundings. Jem and Scout 's opinion of Radley towards the end is very symbolic to the development and transformation that the children undergo.
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses historical context, characterization and symbolism to develop the theme of prejudice and tolerance. In the 1930 's, prejudice was all very prevalent in the United States. As a result, Lee creates a story based around racial tension and discrimination in Maycomb County. Harper Lee uniquely creates each character and perfectly characterizes them to fit perfectly with the historical context and setting. She also uses the mockingbird to symbolize innocence and the destruction of innocence. These things are all prime examples of prejudice
Many harmless characters experience some type of drastic struggle in this novel. Jem and Scout learn that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds are peaceful and don’t harm any other animals. Miss Maudie explains, "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” (Lee 119). Jem and Scout are symbols of mockingbirds in the sense that they start out to be extremely innocent about what the world really is. Throughout the course of the novel Jem and Scout 's eyes are opened to the issues that surround them. As the story progresses and the children grow older, they develop a deeper understanding of why Maycomb County is what it is. They soon realize that the place they call home can be dangerous, cruel and can lack empathy. Tom Robinson is a prime example of a mockingbird. He is accused of a crime he did not commit all because he decided` to help someone in need. Tom loses his family, reputation and eventually his life because of the untrue …show more content…
The children 's change in attitude towards Boo Radley is a measurement of their progress from the beginning of the novel to the end. The children went from being completely innocent to a more mature grown-up mindset. As the story progresses, the children 's eyes are opened to the harsh realities of the world. They grow mentally through this experience, learning to analyze situations on a deeper level. A once happy, peaceful town began to appear as a threatening, oppressive community to the two children. Boo Radley 's character growth is the complete opposite. As the children mature throughout the story, they learn to carefully analyze Radley just as they were forced to analyze their community and surroundings. Jem and Scout 's opinion of Radley towards the end is very symbolic to the development and transformation that the children undergo.
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses historical context, characterization and symbolism to develop the theme of prejudice and tolerance. In the 1930 's, prejudice was all very prevalent in the United States. As a result, Lee creates a story based around racial tension and discrimination in Maycomb County. Harper Lee uniquely creates each character and perfectly characterizes them to fit perfectly with the historical context and setting. She also uses the mockingbird to symbolize innocence and the destruction of innocence. These things are all prime examples of prejudice