“To Kill a Mockingbird” is considered an important classic in American literature, receiving critical acclaim for its themes and messages. The most important two however, is coming of age and racism. The creation of the book was during civil unrest in America, and so the story is of these kids in Alabama learning what racism is, while also learning what it means to grow up without prejudice. An example of this would be the “Mad dog” scene. The author, Harper Lee, uses many literary techniques, such
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has a variety of themes racial prejudice being one of the predominant messages for an African American living in Maycomb County. It is through the characters experiences that the message of coming of age becomes transparent in the way that both Jem and Scout both grow in their knowledge and maturity that come with growing older. Finally, good versus evil is highlighted throughout the novel pointing out the nature of man. These themes combined make this novel a
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, coming of age and the loss of childhood innocence is an important theme which the author develops using two major characters: Scout and the unseen, mysterious man inside the Radley House, at first believed to be a terrible person, proved to be a kind protector and friend. Scout learns that judging people because of what others have said does not define a person’s character. “Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many themes are represented throughout the classic novel. All the characters experience at least one of the following themes; empathy, prejudice, injustice, social inequality, and coming of age. Harper Lee has different ways of showing these themes with the characters, that go accordingly with the place and time period. Which is Maycomb Alabama in the early 1930’s. One way coming of age is portrayed is by the kids of Atticus Finch - Scout and Jem,
Name: Kimberly Lo (11) Class: 205 The novel To kill a mockingbird is, to a large extent, a coming of age novel. What, in your view, is one lesson that Scout learns as part of growing up? Just as all other five-year-olds, Scout was a good-hearted, innocent and naive character at the beginning of the book. She is carefree, without having to care much about the cruel and harsh society which was beyond her ken to understand. With the little experiences she has had in life, growing up is the
Robert South once said, “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” That similar idea is conveyed in a short excerpt from chapter ten of Harper Lee’s best-selling novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In this vital coming of age passage for Jean Louise Finch, or Scout, readers are taught how difficult it is to keep the innocence of another. In the excerpt, Atticus is forced to shoot Tim Johnson, the rabid acting dog, and reveals his secret, sacrificing Scout’s innocence for her safety. Atticus
To kill a Mocking Bird is one the most praised coming of age books throughout history, it tells an extraordinary tale about the coming of age of two children, Scout and Jem, I will be focusing on Atticus’s son, Jem, and his coming of age moment where he realizes the world can be cruel and unfair during the trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus is Jem and Scout’s father, Atticus is a respectable man with the knowledge and will to do good, Atticus was chosen to represent Mr. Robinson an African American