In the small town of Maycomb, Mississippi, the issues of racism, prejudice, and stereotypes are prominent in the lives of many characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The main characters Scout and Jem are the children of Atticus Finch a well esteemed lawyer with an admirable heart, unlike most of the unjust white men in the story. Jem, Scout, and their close friend Dill are full of curiosity, vigor, and credulity; they are often found scouting out the Radley Place in search of the Boo Radley, who is quite vicious and psychotic, according to local stories and stereotypes. During the summer, the children try leaving notes, attempt to sneak a peek into the Radley place, and even create a game based off of the manic stories of Boo, but each attempt is to no avail and results in chiding from Atticus for…
Throughout literature, an author places a foil, for a main character or minor character that enables them to grow and develop as a character and emphasizes the theme of the book as a whole. A foil in literature is a character who shows opposing or contrasting qualities to another character. A foil is often used to show the unique characteristics of a person by comparing his actions, words, and thoughts of another character. A foil can be someone who compliments the character's actions and goals or it can be someone who represents the opposite of what the character is or hopes to be, in order to emphasize that character’s importance to the novel and emphasizes the central theme to which can be applied today. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Boo Radley serves as an unusual foil to Scout Finch in a way that one is…
The novel tells the story of the lives of Scout and her brother, Jem, children growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Along with their summer friend, Dill, the children become entranced with the idea of getting a glimpse of their reclusive and unseen neighbor, Boo Radley. Meanwhile, their attorney father, Atticus Finch, has decided to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a local white woman, Mayell Elwell. The children get caught up in the trial, in which Tom is convicted and eventually killed trying to escape from prison. Jem and Scout become the targets of Bob Elwell, the father of Mayell, who tries to kill them one Halloween night on their way home from school, but Boo Radley--who the children have never seen--shows up to save them, killing Bob in the…
There’s Something About Empathy Since I was young I’d always fantasize about living in the 1900’s; growing up with milk shake shops, jukeboxes, and poodle skirts sounded fascinating. However, after having read Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, it made me realize some things aren’t always what they seem. I was forced to face the tragic reality of the 1900’s. A little girl named Scout shares her experiences from growing up during the 1920’s, in Maycomb County, Alabama.…
Maycomb was a run-down town caught up in the Great Depression. Then in chapters 4-6 as the rest of the school years passed grimly for Scout, endurs a curriculum and leaves her frustrated. Summer comes at last and school ends and Dill moves back to Maycomb. Later on Jim and Dill grew closer, Scout feels left out of their friendship. She then started talking to one of her neighbors, Miss Maudie…
Is it a Bird, a Plane? No, it’s a Theme A work’s most important literary element is often regarded as it’s theme, or central message. Since many are universal, themes help hook people from all cultures and backgrounds into reading the story.…
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had the greatest courage to take over President Herbert Hoover’s disorder in America to an accomplished nation. He helped others in the struggle of life or death. Harper Lee’s book, To Kill A Mockingbird, shows many characters putting others before themselves. As Boo Radley decided to come out of his home, where it was safe for him, to save Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell who was trying to hurt them. He had help to protect their risk of being killed.…
Jem Finch starts off as his sister’s partner in crime. During their youth, Jem, Scout, and Dill run through the neighborhood, playing games and exploring with Jem as their fearless leader. As a ten year old boy, Jem has the innocence of a mockingbird and wants to grow up to be just like his father. When Atticus takes on the Tom Robinson case, Jem is forced to grow out of his naivety a little too quickly. Throughout the novel, Jem becomes more mature and develops a “…maddening air of wisdom…”…
Innocence. Every human being is born with it, yet at some point in time that innocence will be lost. What must happen for someone’s innocence to be taken away? Does it come with age or do certain events speed up the process? Once someone loses their innocence does it change who they are?…
An important life lesson in chapter three is to respect everyone and their ways. An example of this is when Jem had invited Walter over for lunch. While Calpurnia cooked lunch, Walter had requested syrup to go with his food. Walter pours syrup on his vegetables and meat. Scout did not approve of how he drowned his food in syrup.…
Jem and Scout were very acceptant of Dill when he comes to Maycomb that summer, and they quickly became best friends. They spend hours together playing. There are also more obvious ways of how these three kids are an example of how To Kill a Mockingbird is a love story. An example that is more obvious is when Dill and Scout promise each other that they will get married when they grow up (Lee, 54). Jem also shows that he cares by teaching Dill how to swim, and comforting Scout when she needed it.…
Dill had unexpectedly shown up at the Finches house one night, claimed that he was "running away from home". Scout was going to bed one night when she discovered a foreign entity under her bed. Realizing that it was only Dill, Scout proceeded to smuggle some food from the kitchen to give to him. Jem, having a bit more sense, is worried that Dill's parents were troubled by Dill's absence. When neither Scout nor Dill made any move to go inform any adult, Jem took it upon himself to be the voice of reason.…
Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill are all captivated and simultaneously afraid of their neighbor, Arthur “Boo” Radley who keeps to himself, creating an aura of mystery and many whispers among the townspeople. The children are fascinated with him and try to come up with ways to see the reclusive man, but despite his gestures…
A recluse of Maycomb, Boo obtains a reticent personality and rarely is found outside his house. One peculiar winter night, Scout is awakened by her father. Mystified by the situation, Scout is distraught when she finds out that Miss Maudie’s, the next door neighbor, house is burning in flames. Scout and Jem’s curiosity takes its toll on them; they wind up in front of the Radley Place to observe the scene. After the dramatic event, Scout returns home with Jem and realizes she is wrapped in a blanket.…
Jem, Scout, and their partner-in-crime, Dill, go on many adventures together, the most recent of which is their quest to make Boo Radley come out. The trio are fascinated by Boo,…