Harper Lee’s semi-autobiographical novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” is cornerstone literature for all looking to get clear picture of the racial injustice experienced by African Americans in the southern United States during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is told from the perspective of six year old Jean Louise...(“Scout”) Finch, the daughter of an Alabama lawyer attempting to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man, who has been accused of raping a white woman. Many papers already exist looking at “To Kill A Mockingbird”’s narration on the power of prejudice and the fight for justice. You can find samples of essays online to create an outline for an essay of your own, which should include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
To Kill a Mockingbird: Courage To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the unforgettable novel of a child’s story growing up in a sleepy, Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it. The novel takes readers through the many emotions of a...
Symbolism is a very important aspect of any story. Symbols can build on the theme of a book like a theme about good and evil. It can also be the symbolism of a character or an animal like a Mockingbird. In the novel, “To Kill...
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee shows the reader a time of social injustice and racial discrimination in the American South. The book tells the life of a young girl, Jean Louis Finch, who observes this discrimination around her and even experiences some bullying...
To be a good father, one must love his children, but discipline them when they’re in the wrong or misbehaving. He doesn’t reward his children for doing what’s expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus proves he is a good father. He...
Since its debut in 1960, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird has been hugely successful. The book presents many thought-provoking ideas and life lessons that are relevant still today 60 years later. One of the book’s protagonists, Atticus Finch, has become one of fiction’s most...
The way a parent influences their child is crucial because that is how the child will learn. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee is about a white lawyer named Atticus Finch who tries his best to defend an African American...
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. He was put on trial with probably the best lawyer he could have, Atticus Finch. He provided more that...
There has never been a period in the history of humanity without victimization of some category of people. Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird is an example of different types of victimization. There are two characters, each of which is not welcome by society...
Harper Lee’s unveiling novel To Kill a Mockingbird is often compared with Rachel Perkin’s film adaption of Jasper Jones due to the interpretation of harsh racism in the small town of Maycomb and Corrigan. The context of being an outsider and not fitting into society’s...
The Tell-Tale Heart, and Scarlet Ibis, both relate to To Kill A Mockingbird in many fascinating and hidden ways. To Kill a Mockingbird is about racism and inequality that is shown through many hidden symbols. Harper Lee was an American Novelist born April 1926 in...
A novel in which every scene and detail has its meaning and a single item has symbolism is no other than To Kill A Mockingbird. To Kill A Mockingbird has many themes although one theme, in particular, develops over the course of the novel. In...
Chapter 11- the loss of Jem and Scout’s innocence When autumn turns into winter in Maycomb County, Scout and Jem plan to create a snowman. This is an example of how their innocence is retained towards the beginning. Jem and Scout shape the snowman: “Jem...
As a story based on The Great Depression, the time period shapes many aspects of life that contrast widely to that of today’s society. The 1930’s in the south was an era of inequality in many ways. Although many years after the abolition of slavery...
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or judgment without proper knowledge or examination of facts. I have learnt that prejudice is unjust and leads to intolerance, discrimination and racism. These aspects of prejudice are illustrated in the texts, “To Kill a Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee,...
Harper Lee creates characters that contribute to the novels appeal to audiences of all ages. In To Kill a Mockingbird we learn lessons about life from both children and adults. There are three characters that are looked down on by society around them, one because...
1961 in literature, African American, Alabama, Alienation and Loneliness, Atticus Finch, Black people, Great Depression, Harper Lee, In Cold Blood, Miscegenation
In this American classic, a sleepy Southern town is rocked by the trial of a young black man accused of rape. This seemingly simple story, written in 1960, is now regarded as a hallmark of critical writing. Harper Lee writes in the themes, events, and...
Black people, Capital punishment, Harper Lee, Racism and Prejudice, Samuel Leibowitz, Scottsboro Boys, Scottsboro: An American Tragedy, Social inequality, The Scottsboro Boys
Power is a word we hear frequently and use often; it means to have the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. My definition of power is possessing something others want such as money, knowledge, and...
In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch plays a crucial role in the development of the story by acting as its moral backbone. He is always looked to for his infinite wisdom and to always do what is right. To Kill a...
Tom Robinson and OJ Simpson are two black men who have both been taken to trial. They have many similarities that affected their court cases such as their race, social status, and verdict. Tom Robinson was accused of raping and beating up a white woman....
Climbing into someone’s shoes and walking in it can give you the power to genuinely understand a variety of people. Doing this can also help you get along with all kinds of people, opening your mind to new perspectives of life. Considering things from other...
As we go through the different stages of life, it might not be easy for all of us, especially for Scout and Jem. Scout and Jem are abruptly woken up by the nightmare of reality from their dream of innocence. Throughout the novel To Kill...
Prejudice is a pre-judgement formed about something or someone – but it is more than this as well? This complex idea is highlighted in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and the picture book Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack (illustrated by...
While most people in society strive to have moral attributes, not everyone understands what traits are important in achieving this goal. Often, people attempt to model themselves after another’s example. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a single...
The course of growing up is always influenced by the people around you, since the people in your environment are vital in shaping the person you will become. Harper Lee demonstrates this reality in the classic tale To Kill a Mockingbird, through the eyes of...
Over the last one-hundred years, American culture seems to have overall, become less racist and prejudiced. As a whole, U.S. society has not yet reached a period of total racial reformation in which trial and reason are always applied to the happenings of everyday life....
As humans, we all change and become wiser as we grow, and Harper Lee’s novel perfectly encapsulates the essence of growth. To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of many messages, but most notably that of maturing in a society drenched in prejudice and inequality....
“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners” – Laurence Sterne. This quote by Laurence Sterne performs as the general idea of respect and equality in To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee creates occurrences that demonstrate respect, which...
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee was published in 1960. All through the novel, Harper Lee uses the character Scout to advance the invited reading that it is important to show empathy towards others, to walk in their shoes and consider things from their...
As a youthful and curious child, the small town that Scout Finch lived in seemed like the world. Since the book To Kill a Mockingbird was set in the south during the course of the 1930s, where she lived included a lot of prejudice and...
Harper Lee lived long enough for her to publish two novels, “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Go Set a Watchman”. The two are related to each other by talking about the same issues Jean Louise “Scout” Finch grew up with as a child (To Kill...
Atticus Finch, Scout Finch, Jem Finch, Dill Harris, Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandria, John Finch, Arthur Radley
Based on
It is partially based on Lee Harper's childhood, which is why the story is told by the child protagonist.
Symbols/motives
The loss of innocence, prejudice, racial challenges, honor, childhood, friendship, loss of innocence. The most powerful aspect is the very meaning behind "to kill a mockingbird", which means to destroy the innocence. It is made clear by Scout when he asks to "remember [that] it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". The flowers also symbolize patience and understanding, which are reflected by the white camellia flower.
Influence
To Kill a Mockingbird is not an easy book to read, yet it quickly became a symbol for the Civil Rights Movement all over the world. It teaches us about being brave, about injustice that must not be ignored, inequality around us, poverty, racism, corruption, anger control, innocence, oppression, hatred, and judging others. Reading this book reminds us of hope, patience, being equal to each other, and fighting for being brave and true.
Plot
The story starts when Tom Robinson, an African American male is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, the local lawyer called Atticus agrees to defend Tom even though he receives threats from the community. Even when things are quickly getting dangerous, Atticus refuses to leave his client. His young son Scout unwittingly helps to settle down the challenge.
Interesting facts
The book has almost been called "Atticus" instead of the famous title that we know so well.
Harper Lee was writing only one manuscript page per day even though she worked for about 12 hours a day.
The character of Atticus Finch has been inspired by Lee's father who also worked as the lawyer and defended African American clients.
The book has helped to create a cottage industry in the author's hometown, which has started with a museum.
Lee Harper decided to choose her middle name instead of "Nelle", which she was afraid could be mispronounced.
To Kill a Mockingbird became one of the most beloved books in the American literary history.
The character of Dill has been based on author's childhood friend Truman Capote who has also used her personality's character in his "Other Voices, Other Rooms" novel that has been published in 1948.
Quotes
"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
"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."
"It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you."
"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."
Why is this topic important
The main factor in To Kill a Mockingbird is teaching one's children and reminding each other about the dangers of prejudice and judging others. Providing an example of defending a black male in the American South shows that one must always keep the faith and seek the truth regardless of the conditions.
Why should this topic be used
It is one of the most influential civil rights movement works in English literature and a symbolism of social challenge, culture, courage, defense of truth, and justice. It is also an essay topic where a person learns about prejudice and understanding that one has to be in another person's shoes to see and understand what it is like. Choosing this book as an essay topic, middle school, high school, and college students learn about justice, honor, and courage.
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