Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, depicts different themes and topics that are still important and relevant to today’s society. To Kill a Mockingbird has themes such as prejudice, growing up, and bravery and uses those topics to teach humanity a variety of lessons. Boo Radley and Tom Robinson both face extreme prejudice; one has been forced to be a shut in ever since he was young and another got sent to Death simply for his skin while Scout and Jem show their gradual loss of innocence due to the events occurring around them and the knowledge and understanding they gain. Finally, Atticus and Mrs. Dubose show their bravery by facing society’s racism and prejudice in Atticus’ case and facing a long-term morphine addiction in Mrs.
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To Kill a Mockingbird is from Scout’s older, more mature self looking back at her younger and more innocent self. In the beginning, Scout and Jem both fell into the immature prejudice against the Radley house and Boo. They, along with Dill, immaturely tried multiple times to lure Boo out of the house by sticking a letter through a loose shutter of the house and sneaking inside of the Radley family’s yard. Later on, Scout passes by their home and shows her maturity by saying, “It is a scary place though, ain’t it? Boo doesn’t mean anybody any harm, but I’m glad you’re [Jem] along.” (Page 254) Additionally, she proved that she got rid of other childhood fears such as the Hot Steams by saying, “Haints, Hot Steams, incantations, secret signs, had vanished with our years as mist with sunrise.” Another example of Jem and Scout growing up is their expansion in knowledge. They both originally had childish views of the world, and Jem grew up quicker, understanding more complex ideas and looking at the world in a more serious manner while Scout slowly lost her innocence by learning more about the uglier and darker sides of humanity such as racism, sexism, classism, rape, and others. Lastly, Scout and Jem are role model examples for children in the way that they grow from being ignorant and immature to seeing and understanding the bigger picture and being able to be …show more content…
Firstly, Atticus fights for the innocence of Tom Robinson, saying, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Page 76) By taking on the case, Atticus is risking everything he has on the line; but he still refuses to ignore his morals and conscious. Mrs. Dubose is an old lady in the neighborhood who fights against her morphine addiction. In the story, she insults Atticus and his decision to defend Tom Robinson harshly. In response, Jem destroys her camellias in rage; consequently, he has to read to Mrs. Dubose everyday for a month and she dies later on. Before she died, she wished to get past her drug addiction, which was accomplished thanks to Jem and Atticus praises her for having the courage to try. Atticus shows us the hero-like bravery we imagine today; he exemplifies this by doing what he believes regardless of what society believes. Mrs. Dubose on the other hand, teaches us the quiet type of bravery, the kind that one keeps to themselves. She discreetly struggled to get over her drug addiction before she died and succeeded. Through Atticus we learn that one should value their morals and choose the righteous choice rather than the popular vote. And finally, through Mrs. Dubose, we learn that we should have the bravery to at least try something, even if there is a possibility of
To Kill a Mockingbird is from Scout’s older, more mature self looking back at her younger and more innocent self. In the beginning, Scout and Jem both fell into the immature prejudice against the Radley house and Boo. They, along with Dill, immaturely tried multiple times to lure Boo out of the house by sticking a letter through a loose shutter of the house and sneaking inside of the Radley family’s yard. Later on, Scout passes by their home and shows her maturity by saying, “It is a scary place though, ain’t it? Boo doesn’t mean anybody any harm, but I’m glad you’re [Jem] along.” (Page 254) Additionally, she proved that she got rid of other childhood fears such as the Hot Steams by saying, “Haints, Hot Steams, incantations, secret signs, had vanished with our years as mist with sunrise.” Another example of Jem and Scout growing up is their expansion in knowledge. They both originally had childish views of the world, and Jem grew up quicker, understanding more complex ideas and looking at the world in a more serious manner while Scout slowly lost her innocence by learning more about the uglier and darker sides of humanity such as racism, sexism, classism, rape, and others. Lastly, Scout and Jem are role model examples for children in the way that they grow from being ignorant and immature to seeing and understanding the bigger picture and being able to be …show more content…
Firstly, Atticus fights for the innocence of Tom Robinson, saying, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Page 76) By taking on the case, Atticus is risking everything he has on the line; but he still refuses to ignore his morals and conscious. Mrs. Dubose is an old lady in the neighborhood who fights against her morphine addiction. In the story, she insults Atticus and his decision to defend Tom Robinson harshly. In response, Jem destroys her camellias in rage; consequently, he has to read to Mrs. Dubose everyday for a month and she dies later on. Before she died, she wished to get past her drug addiction, which was accomplished thanks to Jem and Atticus praises her for having the courage to try. Atticus shows us the hero-like bravery we imagine today; he exemplifies this by doing what he believes regardless of what society believes. Mrs. Dubose on the other hand, teaches us the quiet type of bravery, the kind that one keeps to themselves. She discreetly struggled to get over her drug addiction before she died and succeeded. Through Atticus we learn that one should value their morals and choose the righteous choice rather than the popular vote. And finally, through Mrs. Dubose, we learn that we should have the bravery to at least try something, even if there is a possibility of