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. Themes give the novel a deeper meaning, and can make it into an influential and lasting work. These messages provide readers with a strong connection to the book; they not only engage readers, but because of them, people can relate their personal lives to the story. Themes also allow the author to express themselves indirectly through the work. Writers can show their opinions and intertwine their own ethics and views in the story with certain messages. Therefore, throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper
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For instance, the one place Boo Radley feels secure is in his house. In the nearly twenty years since Mr. Radley imprisoned Arthur inside, Boo only left the house if he was forced. Outside, he does not know how people will think of him, nor how they will treat him. He is afraid of what others could do to him, and thus he stays inside, where it is safe. Boo rarely leaves the Radley place, and when he does, it is either at night, when no one can see him, or when someone is in peril. Consequently, when Heck Tate sees that Boo killed Bob Ewell, he knows that it will not go well for the recluse. In, “To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight–that’s a sin,” Heck explains that since Boo did the community a favor by killing Ewell, he should not be punished by being made to go to court (Lee 369-370). Boo is secure living inside the Radley house in obscurity, and the notoriety that comes with a murder trial would force him out of his comfort zone in more ways than one. Moreover, Scout feels secure in the neighborhood in which she grows up. Whenever there is trouble, Scout easily finds someone to help her on her street. To Scout, this is not just a neighborhood, it is an addition to her home. When she states, “But I kept aloof from their more foolhardy schemes …show more content…
The value of considering others’ views is a main message of the novel. When Jem Finch first encounters the elderly Mrs. Dubose, he is disgusted by her. This soon turns to admiration as Jem thinks about her perspective. Because of the various stories painting Boo Radley out to be a monster, Scout only thinks of him as this. Once she steps inside his shoes, she begins to see him in a new light. The theme of innocent intertwines itself throughout the book, as well. During Tom Robinson’s trial, both Jem and Dill start to become more aware of the world. Jem sees Tom Robinson, who did nothing wrong, sentenced to death, and this changes him. It also affects Dill, who is so overcome with anguish that he cries. The symbol of the mockingbird, and the saying that goes with it, explains why the innocent should never be punished. Security, as a theme, is also present in the story. Boo Radley, trapped inside his house, feels secure when away from other people. In her neighborhood, Scout also feels safe. She has friends she plays with, adults to guide her, and people to keep her out of harm’s way. Harper Lee includes these themes in her book To Kill a Mockingbird for a reason. Most likely, these all relate to her personal childhood. Security, stemming from parents and friends, is something all children yearn for. Learning to consider others’ perspectives and losing innocence are all
For instance, the one place Boo Radley feels secure is in his house. In the nearly twenty years since Mr. Radley imprisoned Arthur inside, Boo only left the house if he was forced. Outside, he does not know how people will think of him, nor how they will treat him. He is afraid of what others could do to him, and thus he stays inside, where it is safe. Boo rarely leaves the Radley place, and when he does, it is either at night, when no one can see him, or when someone is in peril. Consequently, when Heck Tate sees that Boo killed Bob Ewell, he knows that it will not go well for the recluse. In, “To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight–that’s a sin,” Heck explains that since Boo did the community a favor by killing Ewell, he should not be punished by being made to go to court (Lee 369-370). Boo is secure living inside the Radley house in obscurity, and the notoriety that comes with a murder trial would force him out of his comfort zone in more ways than one. Moreover, Scout feels secure in the neighborhood in which she grows up. Whenever there is trouble, Scout easily finds someone to help her on her street. To Scout, this is not just a neighborhood, it is an addition to her home. When she states, “But I kept aloof from their more foolhardy schemes …show more content…
The value of considering others’ views is a main message of the novel. When Jem Finch first encounters the elderly Mrs. Dubose, he is disgusted by her. This soon turns to admiration as Jem thinks about her perspective. Because of the various stories painting Boo Radley out to be a monster, Scout only thinks of him as this. Once she steps inside his shoes, she begins to see him in a new light. The theme of innocent intertwines itself throughout the book, as well. During Tom Robinson’s trial, both Jem and Dill start to become more aware of the world. Jem sees Tom Robinson, who did nothing wrong, sentenced to death, and this changes him. It also affects Dill, who is so overcome with anguish that he cries. The symbol of the mockingbird, and the saying that goes with it, explains why the innocent should never be punished. Security, as a theme, is also present in the story. Boo Radley, trapped inside his house, feels secure when away from other people. In her neighborhood, Scout also feels safe. She has friends she plays with, adults to guide her, and people to keep her out of harm’s way. Harper Lee includes these themes in her book To Kill a Mockingbird for a reason. Most likely, these all relate to her personal childhood. Security, stemming from parents and friends, is something all children yearn for. Learning to consider others’ perspectives and losing innocence are all