Absence Of Truths In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a realistic story that deeply discusses issues involved with the 1930’s that still resonate today. The struggles of life are evident within the believable characters of Maycomb County which is a microcosm, reflective of universal issues. Along with the authentic characters, setting and style also helps to convey Lee’s controversial notions of racial and gender prejudice, and persecution of the innocent, discussing many other ideas within.

As children grow up, they open their eyes to the harsh truths in the world around them that they once did not understand or question. This is experienced by the main characters of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The story is of a girl called Scout and her older brother, Jem, who go through the trials of growing up in the fictional small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Racism is rampant in the mindset of the townspeople, shown when the children’s lawyer father, Atticus, takes the case of an obviously innocent African-American man and they convict him in their hearts before the trial even starts. Through this all, we can see the theme of loss of innocence in the children. Lee uses characterization to portray

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a multi-faceted novel which explores the principles and morals of people in the South during the 1930s. Mockingbirds are symbolic of the people that society abuse. Lee narrates the events of the novel using Scout’s voice and uses this technique to add emotional context and develop themes. Themes of racial and classist prejudice are developed by Lee to challenge the reader. These techniques are all powerful ways to alter the views of the reader.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a complex literary work exploring several aspects of the human condition. Lee’s story is one based in the 1930’s, shortly before the Civil Rights Movement. Her novel ventures into the societal issues, such as racism and gender stereotyping, in their fictional town, Maycomb. One recurring theme throughout the narrative is the social adjustment of the citizens of Maycomb and the human race as a whole. Lee showcases the progress in social justice matters by using symbolism and motifs.

Imagine a world where evil and unjust actions are based on the color of skin; a world where some don’t even realize that they are prejudicing. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, these themes are present. People and how they commit evil, hypocritical, and unjust acts. We see these themes and great issues through the point of view of a child; the vigorous, youthful, elementary-aged Scout. Through this character Harper Lee shows the innocence of children, and what they go through in our inequitable world.

The concept of conflicting perspectives is consistently present in Harper Lees’ novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The text asks questions about current trends in society and the attitudes that cause people to ‘act like sheep” and conform while also expressing the need for individuality. It also brings into question the way the judicial system should be beyond reproach no matter what man is on trial, whether they be white or black. In a similar manner it also shows changing attitudes in regards to racism over time and in turn establish a conflicting perspective between the reader and characters of the novel.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is not only an edifying book about the immorality of racism and prejudice but also a coming-of-age novel. Over the course of the novel, Scout Finch, the protagonist, matures from a critical, disparaging child, to a considerate, respectful lady. She learns to look beyond the common preconceptions about others and realize that everyone is human and therefore deserves a basic level of respect. Through her experiences with Walter Cunningham and Arthur “Boo” Radley, Scout learns that instead of judging others, she should respect them as human beings.

As the United States “progresses” in economic, educational and technological advancements we still are fighting for racial equality. With more than 50 years since the brown vs. board of education case there is still incidents like Ferguson, Baton Rouge, and Phiando Castile where many questions are still unanswered. However, Harper Lee dealt with these same problems in 1960 when she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee created an emotionally confronting story. Lee writes through the eyes of “Scout” a lawyer’s daughter in a small sleepy town of Maycomb in Alabama during the great depression. Throughout the book “Scout” learns coming of age lessons from Atticus and her own experiences. But when Atticus takes on a case defending a black man (Tom Robinson) convicted for rapping a white woman (Mayella Ewell) and is found guilty. “Scout” her brother Jem begin to understand the effects of the prejudices in society. Therefore, Lee applies the literary concepts of diction and tone to revel the truth that prejudices in society negatively affect the way people treat each other in To Kill a Mocking Bird.

Nelle Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird was published in July 1960. Since then, it has won numerous awards and has become a book read by nearly every student in America’s public schools at one point or another. Books so widely read as this have a power over the minds they touch; it is a subconscious power, something absorbed while you try not to fall asleep listening to the droning voice of the reader. No matter how little attention a student paid to the novel, the message of strength in the face of a decision between what is obviously right and what everyone else says must be, is one that lingers in their mind.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a beautiful story depicting a family living in the South of the 1930’s, and their struggle against the prejudice which was common to that time. The book centers on Atticus Finch, the father of the family as well as a lawyer, and his fight against prejudice. We see the story unfold through the innocent eyes of his young daughter, Scout, who is free from prejudice and not yet jaded. By viewing events as Scout sees them, the author shows us how to overcome prejudices, and gain tolerance.

In the riveting coming-of-age novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee projects the idea of acceptance of all people, through the eyes of a child. Harper Lee combats the prejudice of social standing when she proves that some of the poorest people have the best of character traits. While racism of African Americans is first and foremost in this novel, the acceptance of white people into the African American community shows racism can be beaten from both point of views. Finally, the disabilities that Arthur Radley portrays, is forgotten, when his actions help him soar above the bigotry of the people of Maycomb County. The most obvious topic is the overt racism based on a person's skin color, however, Harper Lee takes us beneath the skin to show that discrimination occurs in other ways.

A tale of childhood and an Alabama town’s troubles with racism is spun from the novel of To Kill a Mockingbird. Most critics, however, claim that the two missions the main characters undertake are not connected well. On the contrary, Harper Lee successfully intertwines the two storylines of To Kill a Mockingbird to create a more profound statement on the interaction of people with clashing ideologies. The two stories enrich each other by showing the parallels of the kids’ and Atticus’s goal to change unshakable behaviors, comparing and contrasting the two parties’ methods, and by tying together the two adventures in a way that address both possible outcomes. Many believe the tales are too different to put together, but both worlds’ objective are more similar than they seem.

To Kill a Mockingbird, a famous novel by Harper Lee teaches about discrimination, racism, stereotypes and prejudice. During the Great Depression, Scout, a tomboy who lives in Maycomb Country has to overcome many obstacles that she faces over the years that led up to Jem, her brother, breaking his arm. In a time where injustice is accepted, one needs to do what they can to see that justice prevails in a harsh situation. When looking from another’s perspective, one can see the real story of the situation. After Miss Caroline, the new teacher, had give her a bad day at school, Scout unloads her troubles onto Atticus and he tells her, ‘“You never really understand a person until you climb into their skin and walk around in it.”’

The book To Kill a Mockingbird has for decades been considered a piece of classic American literature. The book- written by Harper Lee- tackles issues of sexism, racism, and class stereotypes. The book focuses on the maturing of several characters throughout. Although some characters mature in age, many of them also mature in their ideals. In specifics, Jem, Scout, and Aunt Alexandra mature the most in relation to equality and who deserves it. After the events of Tom Robinson’s trial and the missionary circle, Jem, Scout, and Aunt Alexandra’s perceptions of equality and freedom evolve from being close minded about the topics, to becoming having broader understandings of equality and freedom.

In the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, there are many life changing events to which each important figure has to accept and/or endure. Throughout the story, there are many scenarios that show a sign of racism, prejudice, justice, and courage to where the figures has to go through. Harper Lee skillfully paints a detailed picture of growing up in a small Southern town during the Depression.