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Descriptive Language In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

Discrimination and perspective are ideas thoroughly developed in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” through the use of language techniques, particularly the use of symbolism and descriptive language. Lee explores the nature of society itself and unflinchingly exposes the rampant institutionalised and societal racism prevalent the 1930’s American South. The fact that the novel was written during the 1950’s civil rights movement is significant. Lee warns the reader of the poisonous nature of unchecked prejudice and discrimination and its degrading nature of the progress of society itself. Lee uses descriptive language and its connotations through the novel to highlight the idea of discrimination. The introduction of Maycomb this is particularly significant. Maycomb is described as “a tired old town” with a courthouse that “sagged”. By using words with connotations of degeneracy lee implants into the reader's mind that Maycomb is degenerate and negative. The physical degeneracy highlights the degenerate ideas of prejudice and discrimination. Describing the courthouse as dilapidated is particularly significant as the courthouse is the main location of institutionalised racism of the judiciary system is largely expressed. This symbolism of physical degeneracy symbolising the degenerate ideas is reinforced throughout the novel, particularly by Atticus. Atticus believes Maycomb is being destroyed by its “usual disease”, which is racism. By using with similar connotations to describe both the physical degeneracy of Maycomb and the backward ideas that it contains, the two are linked in the reader's minds. This was used by Lee to reinforce the idea that discrimination was rampant by describing both people and the town itself with words with negative connotations. This use of descriptive language suggests to the reader that by continuing to follow out of date ideas, they will be left behind. Lee hints to the reader that in order to continue in the future, you must adapt and change ideas in order to not be left behind. Lee shows that the degenerate ideas and buildings are interrelated and to move towards a better society, the degenerate idea of racism and discrimination must be left behind. Boo Radley is used to shows

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