Skip to main content

What are some themes found throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

Harper Lee explores several significant themes throughout her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The most prevalent theme throughout the novel deals with prejudice. Lee depicts Maycomb's prejudiced feelings toward African Americans, Alexandra's prejudice towards people from society's lower-class, and the community's prejudice towards the Radley family. Another theme that Lee examines is the treatment of innocent beings.One of Atticus' most famous statements is when he tells his children that it is a sin...

Harper Lee explores several significant themes throughout her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The most prevalent theme throughout the novel deals with prejudice. Lee depicts Maycomb's prejudiced feelings toward African Americans, Alexandra's prejudice towards people from society's lower-class, and the community's prejudice towards the Radley family. Another theme that Lee examines is the treatment of innocent beings. One of Atticus' most famous statements is when he tells his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds symbolically represent innocent beings like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Atticus is essentially teaching his children to stand up for innocent people and treat them with the utmost respect. Lee also explores the theme of childhood innocence. As the novel progresses, both Jem and Scout experience events that alter their naive perception of the world. They both lose their childhood innocence after witnessing Tom's wrongful conviction and react to it differently. Perspective is another significant theme throughout the novel. Early in the novel, Atticus teaches his daughter an important lesson in gaining perspective and viewing situations from other people's point of view. Scout takes heed to Atticus' lesson and begins to develop "perspective" which gives her insight into her community members. Lee includes themes concerning feminity, particularly Scout's ongoing battle with her Aunt Alexandra regarding how to behave like a proper Southern belle. Other themes Lee includes in her novel deal with the broken education and justice systems. She explores how the education systems impede learning and values a moral education throughout the novel.

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

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

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...
Post a Comment
Read more