The stylistic elements that an author chooses are instrumental in ensuring that the theme or tone that he or she wishes to convey is in fact conveyed to the reader. Harper Lee obviously realizes this, for in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, [New York: Warner, 1982] 278) she wisely selects a distinctive style to relate the moving story of a young child discovering harsh truths regarding human nature
The predominant stylistic element Miss Lee uses is her diction and choice of sentence length. At the beginning of the selection, the sentences are short and simple. This syntax is especially appropriate, due to the fact that the novel is written in first person, the narrator being a six year old girl named
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Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day’s woes ans triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive.” Once again, Lee’s syntax is very suitable in the message she is trying to impart. Scout’s exposure to the strange and startling realities of the human soul take away her youthful innocence. Thus, she begins to, as all people must do, mature.
Another stylistic element that greatly aids in progressing the theme and tone of the novel is Lee’s implementation of imagery. She begins with Scout on the porch of a house she had once thought to be haunted. “Street lights winked down the street all the way to town....In daylight, i thought, you could see the postoffice corner.” Then, she makes a transition, taking on a reflective tone. “Daylight,” she says, “in my mind, the night faded.” Her reference to daylight is symbolic of the new view that Scout has. Her knowledge has shed a fresh “light” on things. She begins to describe the high points of her young life – only this time with a new perspective “A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging his fishing pole behind him......Winter and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house.” This imagery allows the reader to grasp a hold of the change that Scout has undergone due to the information she has gained regarding the truths of human nature. The words that spill across the pages are no longer
As most authors do, both Lee and Capote wound similar themes and subthemes throughout their pieces, yet use completely different techniques to isolate these themes. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the theme is stated multiple times, interpreted by every character, and then confirmed by the narrator. Atticus tells Scout “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…” (p.30) stating the theme directly. 200 pages later, the narrator, Scout realizes that her father was right as she views the neighborhood in a perspective she was too afraid to approach before. In between, the idea of prejudging a person is toiled with in every struggle and outburst. The theme, first introduced in a simple conflict, is reemphasized at the very end, affirming the importance of never enforcing a stereotype
Rather than a direct style this needs more thinking from the reader which on the other side supports the readers understanding of the problems Atwood addresses in her novel. Margaret Atwood's style clearly leaves room for the reader whether to
I grew up in a home where my parents taught us to serve our country, community and those around us. They taught me through example, my father was a scout leader when I was a child. He often took me camping and to merit badge Pow Wow’s. As a boy I began to dream about becoming a boy scout. When I became old enough I joined the cub scouts. While in Cub scouts I learned about being part of the pack, about working together to accomplish large projects, to work together to accomplish a larger goal. Then when I was older I was able to join the boy scouts they taught me about being a citizen in the community, about being a good neighbor. They taught me about doing a good turn daily, and being prepared. When I was 13, I became a life scout. Being a life scout is not anything special, other than I was able to start working on my eagle project.
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
In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, heavy influences of opinions towards racism, religion, and worldly views in the 1930’s are very prominent through the writing of Harper Lee. Specifically through chapter 24, Lee uses various types of diction and narrative techniques to portray her opinion on racial and religious views. Lee fills this chapter with various dialogue and diction. The scene starts as the women of the church converse lightly about various topics, “fighting the good fight all over the house”. (Lee 228).
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the most recognizable books of all time. Ever since it’s July 1960 release date it has been hailed for its genius writing, relatable characters, and narration. The novel is told through the eyes of Scout, a young girl living in the fictional Alabama town of Maycomb, and how she develops during an important time in her childhood. Scout’s character will affect the story in many different ways. As the only narrator, all of what you know of Maycomb and its inhabitants is through her eyes. Her childlike demeanor, strong southern accent, and personality add to the book’s charm and memorability. You will get to see her evolve as a person throughout the entire story. Scout is not only the most memorable, but the most important.
I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and I am on page 35. This book is about a girl named Scout, her father named Atticus, her brother called Jem, and her friend called Dill, in the small town of Maycomb. We follow Scout through her trials with 1st grade, her relationship with Calpurnia, and Boo Radley. In this paper I will be predicting and evaluating.
“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”. Discuss this quote from Atticus in relation to 3 characters from the novel.
The transition from innocence to experience is a major theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, The character of Scout, on particular, portrays this theme exceptionally well. At the beginning of the novel, Scout is an innocent, good-hearted five-year-old child who has no experience with the evils of the world, as the novel progresses, Scout has her first contact with evil and she begins to mature. By the end of the novel her persperctive on people changed from that of a child to that of a grown-up.
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird a major theme is the loss of innocence. Whether from emotional abuse, racial prejudice or learning, Boo, Tom, and Scout all lose their innocence in one sense or another. The prejudice that each character endures leads to their loss. Through the responses of Boo, Tom, and Scout, Harper Lee shows how each character responded differently to their loss of innocence.
As for structure, Harper Lee primarily uses dialogue in this excerpt. By doing so, Scout’s emotions and attitude towards Mr. Raymond are delivered clearly to the reader, as Scout’s change of tone is gradually revealed. It is also noticeable that because the novel is being narrated by Scout, Scout’s thoughts are conveyed as if she is speaking directly to the reader, which further strengthens the structure and emotions played out in the excerpt. Through this narration, Scout’s use of simple, but
During your confrontations with Scout in Maycomb, you bring up the various points about Scout’s actions and how they are not pleasing to you, such as being friends with Walter Cunningham, and wearing breeches and overalls. During all of this, you bring up the problematic assumption of how she should dress and behave because of the gender roles which surround society. You first make this assumption when you are with Scout during christmas, when you said that Scout could never hope to be a lady because she wears breeches. This caused Scout to be more volatile, which led to Scout fighting Francis. Another time when you make this assumption is when you talk to Scout about Walter. You assume that Scout will pick up Walters bad habits which will ruin the Finch family name. This led to Scout resenting you even more than before. The last time you made the assumption is when Atticus talks to Scout and Jem about acting better because the Finches were created from generations of breeding. This led to Scout again resenting you, and even taking some of it out on Jem through fighting.
Throughout To Kill a MockingBird we see Jem grow in maturity as Scout’s brother. As we see the mental growth and physical growth from Jem, Harper Lee uses that to adds imagery, dramatic irony, and mood to To Kill a MockingBird.
Children look up to their elders for wisdom and advice. They rely on someone experienced and with authority for guidance on how to live their lives. However, sometimes the people who are accountable for youth mislead them; they may have good intentions, but are not mature enough to exemplify their values and morals, or they simply are ignorant. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra plays a negative role: she is a proper, southern lady with a strict code of behaviour and etiquette, but is too closed-minded and obstreperous to change her ways or view the world from others’ perspectives. Calpurnia takes on the position of a positive role model by disciplining the children in the Finch household. Miss Maudie takes on the role of a
In chapter six; Jem and Dill’s’ inquisitive’ natures lead them to become rebellious. Their plan was to trespass into Boo Radley’s property in order to understand more about the personality of this ‘mysterious’ character. Scout joins them on their night-time exploration because she is afraid of being left out. Due to the nature in which they entered the house, Nathan Radley-Boo Radley’s brother shoots at them as he thought his house was attacked by burglars. In chapter six of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee cleverly uses a variety of literary techniques and devices to create tension prior to the shooting. This essay discusses the language devices used and its effectiveness on the reader of the text. The techniques that Harper Lee