Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a Bildungsroman novel that to a great extent reflects the importance of life values and morals and demonstrates the importance of these lessons within society. The key lessons that are explored through the text are taught by Atticus Finch to his two children. Atticus not only verbally teaches these lessons to the Finch children Jem and Scout, but leads by example, always following his beliefs and morals to handle different situations. Through the use of literary techniques such as motifs, symbolism, authorial intrusion and foreshadowing the reader is able to see the significance that these lesions have on the maturing of the two protagonists.
A key lesson that is greatly explored through the novel is …show more content…
This is shown at the end of the novel, when the narrator Scout says “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around …show more content…
This lesson holds a literal meaning, however as the novel progresses the readers begin to understand the significance of the mockingbird, a motif that symbolises innocence. While mockingbird characters appear multiple times throughout the book, a key mockingbird is Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson’s false prosecution of rape, due to his skin colour really highlights both the themes of racism and social inequality. Within Maycomb’s Social Hierarchy, African Americans sit below “White Trash”, and due to Tom Robinson’s race and social ranking, he is falsely accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell. Atticus is a character who treats everyone the same no matter their race or social ranking, and was therefore trusted to defend Tom Robinson with no racial prejudice. Another mockingbird Boo Radley, a victim of prejudice. It is through Boo Radley that Scout understands the deeper meaning of the lesson “It’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird”. This is demonstrated at the end of the book, when Mr Tate and Atticus decide not to tell the town of Boo’s heroism. When this happens, the following conversation takes place between Scout and Atticus: ’Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. “Yes sir, I understand,” I reassured him. “Mr. Tate was right.” Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. “What do you
A key lesson that is greatly explored through the novel is …show more content…
This is shown at the end of the novel, when the narrator Scout says “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around …show more content…
This lesson holds a literal meaning, however as the novel progresses the readers begin to understand the significance of the mockingbird, a motif that symbolises innocence. While mockingbird characters appear multiple times throughout the book, a key mockingbird is Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson’s false prosecution of rape, due to his skin colour really highlights both the themes of racism and social inequality. Within Maycomb’s Social Hierarchy, African Americans sit below “White Trash”, and due to Tom Robinson’s race and social ranking, he is falsely accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell. Atticus is a character who treats everyone the same no matter their race or social ranking, and was therefore trusted to defend Tom Robinson with no racial prejudice. Another mockingbird Boo Radley, a victim of prejudice. It is through Boo Radley that Scout understands the deeper meaning of the lesson “It’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird”. This is demonstrated at the end of the book, when Mr Tate and Atticus decide not to tell the town of Boo’s heroism. When this happens, the following conversation takes place between Scout and Atticus: ’Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. “Yes sir, I understand,” I reassured him. “Mr. Tate was right.” Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. “What do you