Explain The Central Ideas 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.

There are countless themes that are in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, but the themes that stand out most are bravery, stereotyping, and the most essential theme courage. "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway, and you see it through no matter what."

Lee implies that people learn lessons through life experiences that school can ever teach. Throughout this novel, Atticus taught his kids many lessons that was hard for them to hear at times, but it later on helped them in the story. Or it helped them grow up and mature. On page 40 of To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus was explaining to Scout that Miss.Caroline was new and didn’t know anyone, and she especially didn’t know the Cunningham’s story, Atticus states, “Atticus said… but if Walter and I had put ourselves in her shoes we’d have seen it was an honest mistake on her part” (40). This quote by Atticus is meant to explain to Scout that Miss. Caroline just made an honest human mistake. He tried to get Scout to realize that if he put herself in Miss.Caroline’s shoes then she might better understand the confusion. Obviously you can’t really be in her shoes, but he said it figuratively to show her why it was important to give her another chance, or at least try to be nice and listen. Atticus taught this to Scout at home later on that night. At her school after that she tried to just get by in her class. Lee also shows mainly throughout that the school system doesn’t help when it comes to teaching children life lessons. As shown in the earlier quote Atticus, had told Scout to jump in Walter’s shoes, and walk around in it. This other quote shows how Scout actually takes into consideration of Atticus’ words, and chooses to not bother Jem because she tried to imagine what it had

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (pg. 119.) Miss Maudie spoke the previous quote with deep thought going into each and every word. She wasn't just trying to teach Scout a lesson, but she wanted there to be a powerful meaning behind it. Miss Maudie's main purpose was to stress that you shouldn't kill something that is doing no harm. Everyday "mockingbirds" are killed, broke down, and mistreated by society.

As it was mentioned earlier, Atticus has a very demanding career. Tom Robinson, the young man Atticus defends, pays for the ignorant and hurtful stereotypes that are made in Maycomb every day. There is the fear of black male sexuality, brought about by stories of white women being raped and beaten by black men. "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (220). When the Ewell's charge Tom with rape, his decisions come not from facts of life, but the general classification and stereotypes of Maycomb. "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box" (220). Others don't take the time to understand Tom, instead fearing and distrusting him. Tom isn't the only race in Maycomb that is victimized, however.

Great authors use different literary elements to display their thoughts. To Kill a Mcokingbird, a novel written by Harper Lee, takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, during the years of the Great Depression. The novel focuses on Scout Finch, a 6 year old tomboy, and her brother Jem. They both begin realize all of the social issues, such as rape and inequality, that happens in their community throughout the course of the plot. Many people were racist against black people and judgemental against people who were not like them during this time period in the south but Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus, did not want his children to become influenced by these people. Harper Lee uses literary devices such as characterization, symbolism, and conflict to develop

Lots of people in Maycomb disagree with Atticus defending a black man, and they do not hold their opinions back, which later on leads to violence. For instance, Atticus’s own family fears that Atticus is doing the wrong thing. Scout’s cousin, Francis, tells Scout “‘I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a n*****-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family’” (Lee 110). As you can see, from the quote, Atticus is accused of doing the wrong thing, but Atticus knows that this is not true at all.

This story is set in the year 1930, in Maycomb County, Alabama, and even though racism was abolished, the people still believed that colored people were bad people. Without racism still existing then, many things wouldn’t have happened. Since there was racism, a man was accused to be guilty for a crime he didn’t commit because he was black. Which allowed the actual guilty and dangerous person out on the loose, which gave him the chance to try to kill two kids. But without racism, the the guilty man would be put in jail and the whole story would be over.

Atticus had to stick up for Mr.Robinson. Atticus says “Which gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is; some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women - black or white” (pg.204). This quote demonstrates that people in Maycomb,Alabama, are being judged on their race rather than as individuals. Atticus calls the lie of racist stereotypes “as black as Tom Robinson's skin” which associates evilness and crime with blackness. Another quote that proves this is “ You know, it’s a funny thing about Braxton,” said Atticus. “He despises Negroes, won’t have one near him” (pg.150). This quote points out that a lot of people dislike black men. Atticus also proved intolerance leads to destruction when “Atticus’, said one evening, ‘what exactly is a nigger-lover’? Atticus face was grave. ‘Has somebody been calling you that’? “No Sir, Mrs.Dubose calls you that” (pg.108). Mrs.Dubose calls Atticus filthy names and hates many of his views about equality and

Everyone has a different idea of what the central idea of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” is, but which is the real central idea? The book shows the moral nature of humans being (people being essentially good or essentially evil). The author, Harper Lee, shows this by writing about how people used to treat other people because of their skin color, how some people do care about everyone and how they see good in them, and how people will defend other people and not just make them be in trouble.

To kill a mockingbird written by Harper Lee. Themes are the subject of a talk, a piece of writing or a person's thoughts. There are many themes present in this great American classic such as courage, racism, prejudice, morality and of course coming of age. Lee communicates these themes with characters, events that unfold and the scenarios that Jem and Scout have to face.

In the article, “Why teenagers can't see your point of view” by Ewen Callaway, it becomes clear “that a teenage mind toils harder when inferring the outlook of others, compared to adults” (2). Children and teenagers have a harder time understanding the points of view of others. However, this does not mean that their views are inaccurate. Children formulate their own opinions about certain aspects of life without acknowledging the thoughts of others. Nevertheless, they do not think too hard about situations, but instead go with their gut instinct, while adults tend to settle with their opinions, and see things for how they appear on the surface.

Various people believe that, in order to coexist with others, you must be able to see situations from other points of view. This culminates the main idea of the passage. One quote in particular from this excerpt from To Kill a Mockingbird is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus told this to Scout after she had a misunderstanding with her teacher; thus, Scout realized this seemingly simple trick may remain the key to getting along with all people. However, I believe in the impossibility of ever fully understanding a person.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in 1903. This novel is basically a coming of age story for a young girl named Scout and her older brother named Jem. Who grows up in a time where racism is normal. They soon learn to stand up for what is right, just like their dad, Atticus.

“To Kill A Mockingbird” (1960), by Harper Lee, emphasizes and displays many different philosophical ideas. These ideas are about innocence, segregation, knowledge, and reality. Ideas include the right for all races to be treated as equals, and not be judged or segregated by the color of their skin. “To Kill A Mockingbird” especially emphasizes that children, as they grow into their teen and pre-teen years, start to realize their environment and observe the way people act. This is the idea of reality. Children will start having sophisticated and intelligent ideas whether adults like it or not but the children will fight even if parents don’t think they have a mind of their own. Children start disobeying and showing signs of rebellion.The environment we live in influences the way we think, it takes away our innocence because of bad things that happen, and give us a base to form our ideas on. Two siblings; Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch. Their Father, a southern lawyer defending a black-American man accused of rape and beating a white woman. Jem and scout are 10 and 6 at the beginning of the book. But end up being 13 and 9 by the end, Jem being the oldest. Jem and scout, along with many other characters in the book, like Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Charles Baker “Dill” Harris all have a message linked to them in the book.