Skip to main content

What's a song that reflects Chapter 29 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

This kind of question invites you to make a connection between the music you enjoy and the themes and images in the story. It's a fun way of finding some universal idea or common feeling, a way to discover that musicians today give voice to the same struggles and emotions that the authors of novels like this one have done.

In Chapter 29 of the novel, the mood is one of intense relief, wonder, and reflection as Scout recounts what happened to her and Jem when they were attacked by Bob Ewell and saved by Boo Radley. The chapter ends on an especially poignant note as Scout sees Mr. Radley clearly for the first time and manages to greet him politely.


So, we're looking for songs that express either the feelings prominent in this chapter (a mixture of relief and sadness at Ewell's death, gratitude for being alive, a release of tension, etc.) or the images or sensations important in the chapter (Atticus suddenly appearing as though he is aging, the costume crushed to a pulp, the feel of cooler ground beneath a tree, and so on).


Below are some suggestions, but you can find many more. I'll start with some Top 40 tunes of the current week, then move on to some older songs.


1. "My House" by Flo Rida. In this song, the singer talks about the comforts and excitement of being in his own home, entertaining guests, and doing whatever he wants. Similarly, Scout feels relieved to be back at home, surrounded by the people she loves most.


2. "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth. Here, the speaker asserts he'll be even better than Superman; he'll be nearby, ready to swoop in and rescue someone. His words could be spoken by Boo. How was Boo just conveniently there, ready to save the children? He's like the speaker of the song: watchful, ready to take care of people, eager to protect them against villains like Ewell.


3. "Across the Universe" by the Beatles. The singers express a serene joy in the idea that, although words and images seem to float by them almost chaotically, they still feel a sense of security and safety. That is, although everything is always changing (like Atticus growing older) things still remain basically the same in one's own little universe (Maycomb, for Scout).


4. "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" by the Secret Sisters. In this song, the singers express the relief tinged with sadness that comes out of experiencing something dark but having recently put it behind them. Scout probably feels the same way: both haunted by the fact that someone's life has been taken and that she was involved as well as relieved that she's now safely at home, the trial over, the town ready to move on: "trouble haunts my mind," "around me lies a somber scene," "a brighter day is coming my way."

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more