Question 1: Symbolism
Mockingbird
Mockingbirds, harmless and joyful creatures that do not create havoc among others. Throughout the story mockingbirds are portrayed as a symbol of innocence, representing characters such as; Tom Robinson, Boo Radley and even Scout. The title To Kill A Mockingbird refers to the killing of innocence which relate to the events that occur in the novel such as the death and trial of Tom Robinson, the isolation of Boo Radley and Scout’s sudden realization of the town’s racist/unjust attitude. Tom Robinson is clearly the victim of the novel and although he is labelled as guilty, he is known to be innocent. The text states; “It is a sin to kill a mockingbird” to emphasize that it is a crime to kill innocence and
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Dubose quit her morphine addiction which Atticus discusses in Chapter 11. Additionally, it portrays forgiveness as she presents Jem with a Camellia after he destroyed her plants as an act of a fresh start or new beginning.
Question 2: Character Analysis
Atticus and Bob Ewell
Atticus Finch is a wise, cunning and understanding character that goes against the status quo throughout the events in To Kill A Mockingbird. Although the town ridicules him and labels him as a “nigger-lover”, he keeps his head held high and manages to stand for his beliefs throughout the story. He demonstrates fairness and has great affection for his children, making him a great father figure.
Bob Ewell is an explosive racist who blindly follows the stereotypes and beliefs of the town. He is shown as a violent and aggressive character throughout the story, predominantly during Tom Robinson’s trial and towards the end of the novel when he had almost killed Jem and Scout. His violent nature is also presented when threatening Atticus after the trial and when behaving with his daughter as he abuses her.
In comparison to one another, both characters are almost opposites in behavior and personality.
Question 3:
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A clear example is during Tom Robinson’s trial as he did not commit a crime and yet he was blamed and treated like trash due to his race. The townspeople also believed he was guilty based on the hatred of colored people and based on stereotypes built by society. Bob Ewell is also a great example of an extreme racist as he is totally against the colored people and additionally violates Atticus for supporting Tom
Bob Ewell is a wretched, two-faced, conniving most unworthy person to have the gift of life in all of Alabama. He drinks a lot, does not bother to work, and he just collects welfare checks and spends them on alcohol. Harper Lee wrote, “a little bantam cock of a man . . . A shock of wispy new-washed hair stood up from his forehead; his nose was thin, pointed, and shiny; he had no chin to speak of—it seemed to be part of his crepey neck”(Lee 227) Harper describes Bob Ewell as a apathetic, tipsy, Neanderthal that can’t keep a job to save his skin. During Tom Robinson’s trial Bob Ewell tried to say that he beat his daughter Mayella and then raped her; when in in reality Bob Ewell is the one who beat Mayella. Another reason Bob Ewell is terrible person is at the end of the story when he tried to kill Scout and Jem. Harper Lee had wrote, “What is it, Heck? Said Atticus. Mr. Tate found his neck and rubbed it. Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch. (Lee 357). Mr. Ewell had aimed to kill Scout and Jem but Mr. Author James Radley, more commonly known as Boo Radley, saved their lives. Mr. Ewell was mad at Atticus because he knew that it wasn’t Tom who beat Mayella and raped her, so Bob Ewell saw that he could get back at Atticus by taking the lives if the two most important people in the world to him. Bob Ewell illustrates the dark side of
The idea of mockingbirds in this text carries great symbolic weight, mockingbirds are considered the innocents in the novel. It is considered a sin to kill a mockingbird, which symbolizes the destruction innocence. Tom Robinson, Arthur “Boo” Radley, Jem and Mr. Raymond can all be identified as mockingbirds - innocents who have been injured or destroyed through contact with evil.
Racism is one issue that is portrayed a few times throughout To Kill A Mockingbird. The
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents Atticus Finch as a principled lawyer, committed but single father to Scout and Jem, and a law-abiding citizen. Atticus is a respectable gentleman in society and a role model for his children. Throughout the book we see evidence of his honorable intentions, though he doesn’t seem to reap the rewards. He is morally upstanding, even-keeled, and daring. Because of these things, Atticus is a man who deserves great respect and admiration.
Atticus Finch is one of the first characters introduced to us in the book. He is also one of the most wises. Atticus is a lawyer who is appointed the job of defending Tom Robinson. He knows before he begins that he 's going to lose this case, but that doesn 't stop him from giving Tom the strongest defense he possibly can. And, importantly, Atticus doesn 't put so much effort into Tom 's case because he 's an African American, but
References to the title in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird suggest that both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are “mockingbirds.” The reader is lead to understand that the term suggests an innocent, harmless creature who should not be made to suffer. To Kill a Mockingbird is a sin. This book shows Tom Robinson and Boo Radley as mockingbirds. Boo Radley was the victim of harsh parenting and prejudgement. Tom Robinson was the victim of racism.
Atticus Finch from, To Kill a Mockingbird, is characterized as a wise man that is an exceptional father to his children and always teaches them the right perspective about life and the people around them. He was appointed to the lawyer for a
Atticus Finch to many readers can be considered as a righteous and selfless person. As a just lawyer, he only fights for justice and chooses to do the things that are proper in God’s eye and law-abiding. In the novel, Atticus Finch had done the things that other whites wouldn’t do, which is to become a defense lawyer for a black man. In a racial society, it can be
In short, Atticus Finch was a decent human being in a time when they were few and far between. He was unique in the way he taught his kids, the way he treated people, and the way he practiced law. He always kept in mind his quote, "You never really understand a person (...) until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (39). It's no wonder why he is such a beloved character in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a
One of the most interesting characters in To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus Finch. He is a good representation of someone that is strong while keeping in mind other’s feelings. Throughout the book Atticus is show as a kind man who really cares for the people of Maycomb County. However, he still demands justice when someone is treated unfairly, even for the likes of a black man. Atticus Finch is very influential and yet still listens to what needs to be heard. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a man who values justice, wiseness and fair-mindedness.
1) Jem Finch or Jeremy Atticus Finch is the most important character in Part 1 because of the actions he chose to make. When Jem and Scout were playing around with an old tire, (Pages 37 and 38) Jem accidentally pushed too hard, and the tire went flying over to the Radley’s house with Scout inside it. Once Scout gained consciousness, she scurried over to Jem, ignoring his orders to bring the tire back to him. Jem decided to face his fears of the Radley house, and he ran through the lawn to retrieve the tire. This is a coming of age scene because Jem chose to face his fears which showed that he was mature enough to ignore getting into an argument with Scout. Instead, he went in himself without any further complaints.
In a world of racial discrimination, Atticus faces immense opposition when he advocates the innocence of an accused black man. Atticus even intercepts a drunken mob in order to impede their attempt to injure Tom Robinson. However, in doing this dangerous act, he nearly forfeited his own life. In addition, during the trial, Atticus even made the audacious act of accusing the Mr. Bob Ewell of abusing his daughter. This, in turn, evoked Mr. Ewell to spit in his face saying, “I’d get you if it took the rest of my
Atticus Finch is a very important character in the book To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus is the father of Jem and Scout Finch. Atticus is middle aged and has graying black hair, when he talks to people he treats them with lots of respect no matter what that person's race, age or background is like. Atticus is in one of the most important events that occurred in this book, he was the lawyer for Tom Robinson when Tom was accused of Raping Mayella Ewell. A theme that Atticus shows is courage. He defended Tom in court knowing that he would lose from the start but he fought hard to make him innocent. A quote that Atticus says that represents this is, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with
Even though not everyone is always right, Atticus Finch is a genuine, moral literary character because he knows that you must understand a person and know them before you can judge them, instead of always trying to do what other people are doing or what they believe, he does what he believes is the right thing, and he teaches Scout and Jem important life lessons. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very compassionate and emotional book that explains important life lessons. In this book, the character Atticus Finch shows the reader different viewpoints of his life, which he teaches to his children.
I found Bob Ewell the least likeable character. Even before the trial, he was known as one of the lowest people in Maycomb, second only to the blacks that lived