To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates organic unity through the use of literary tools to create, maintain, and amplify the central theme. Lee constructs and develops the theme of social inequality by employing dialogue, irony, and an extended metaphor. Through dialogue, the townspeople show contempt for blacks, viewing them and anyone who treats them as equals as inferior. This is evident in the analysis of the conversations of Bob Ewell, Mrs. Dubose, and Francis Hancock where they refer to black people as uncivilized savages. Not only does Bob Ewell, contribute to the theme through his dialogue, but his full name of Robert E. Lee Ewell provokes irony that clarifies the racist undertones of the novel. Moreover, irony functions

We all have those special books that we hold close to our hearts due to the transformative affect they have upon us. Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) is one such book. This story of discrimination may just alter the way we all view ourselves, others and the world we live in. Set in the 1930s throughout the Great Depression in South Alabama, the novel allows us all to come to the disturbing realisation that this novel remains as apt today as it did when it was first written 57 years ago.

To Kill a Mockingbird is the story of the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson for the raping of a white woman, Mayella Ewell, in racist Alabama in the 1990’s.

Drama, deception, doubt, and death lace the pages of To Kill a Mockingbird, created masterfully by Harper Lee. From a rousing court case to a reclusive neighbor, challenging situations wait at every turn. How individuals handle these circumstances depends on their qualities. Lee portrays many diverse characters in this novel. While some become uncertain and crumble under the pressure of tough situations, others force themselves unfalteringly through. Some measure up, but others fall short. Although many characters presented in To Kill a Mockingbird display notable qualities, the steadiness of Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Reverend Syke shines through.

The novel To Kill A Mockingbird is successful in delivering the story in a manner that captivates the audience. The story began by setting the scene, mood and also by introducing each character, which familiarized the reader with the environment. The author wrote the story in a manner that flowed with real life events of a time relative to the story, such as the segregation, racism and any financial struggles. It also did well to give each character a realistic mindset and reactions based on each person’s respective characterization. In a similar way, the story was written from the perspective of Scout, and the story was effectively narrated with the innocence and a lesser knowledge coming from someone of her age. Additionally, the story did a particularly good job at introducing details that were important to the story as it progressed so there were no surprises based on a sudden law change, for example. This aided in building the story to its climax, and other peaks of action. Each element to the story worked in sync to maneuver easily through the plot in a well thought out and executed story.

The developing maturity and growth of the main character, Scout, is the foundation that Lee expertly creates as a unique and subtle way to communicate and teach this theme to a reader. Lee portrays Scout as a young girl who is constantly growing as a person, and from a reader’s perspective, we are learning and growing along with her, which Lee utilizes to convey engrained messages throughout the novel. Scout in the first half of the novel is avidly immersed in the myths regarding Boo Radley, telling her brother that, “Every scratch of feet on gravel was Boo Radley seeking revenge”. But as issues surrounding Tom Robinson’s trial and Atticus’ struggles evolve, Scout’s involvement with the Radleys begins to dissipate, with her realising that, “So many things had happened to us, Boo Radley was the least of our fears”. The idea of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is to contrast this ‘fictional’ novel to the real world, and its civil issues which Scout becomes exposed too, and therefore the reader does too.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book that shows both moral and physical courage throughout the book. The narrator, Scout, is a six year old girl who lives with her brother Jem and dad, Atticus Finch, who is a lawyer in Maycomb County, who is chosen to defend a black man who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell the daughter of Tom Ewell. Scout and Jem have a best friend named Dill who visits every summer. They are always daring each other to Boo Radley’s house. Boo Radley is a mysterious man, who never comes out of his house, and in the end is the

In “To Kill a Mockingbird” the primary narrator of the story is Scout. All the characters, setting, and plot are introduced by Scout. You will come to know these characters through her. Why is Scout as the narrator so important? Simple, you are able to see Scout growing up facing these challenges internally, instead of externally. Through this story, you understand her emotions and see her learning about the world. This also demonstrates a major conflict she and her family face. She ultimately comes to her own conclusions. We have all been kids once, so we can relate to Scout and her dilemma. During the confrontation with Bob Ewell at the ending of the book, if Jem were the

Essay Prompt: In a 1-2 page character analysis, explain what makes Atticus such a good parent, using quotes and evidence from the text to back up your claims.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is an exceedingly powerful novel. It includes many significant minor themes such as racism and hatred which leave the reader to have grown more attentive to the past once they complete the book. The book takes place in Maycomb County Alabama during the great depression. During this period there was a great deal of hate and prejudice towards people of color, in addition to a great regard to social class. The novels protagonists, Atticus Finch a well-respected lawyer and his children Jeremy “Jem” Finch and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch are a few of the towns occupants who respect others regardless of social class or race. For this reason, Atticus has no objections

Purpose: To get readers to understand that although Mayella is guilty of causing an innocent man’s death, she still deserves some sympathy.

On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in his first inauguration speech, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance," (Baughman). This quote translates to a confusing concept at first, but once discussed is practical: the fear of an individual should not be the concern, yet it should be the damage fear itself has on one. Little did we know at the time that this quote, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” would turn into “the very symbol” of Roosevelt’s Presidency (Baughman).

Racism is a part of human nature; everyone judges their surroundings and the people living in it through a secret lens. Since the beginning of time racism has occurred, but during the Great Depression this lens was most clear to all. This goes hand in hand with the story of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, written by Harper Lee. This book is based on Lee’s childhood during the Depression. Some of the characters in the story are portrayed in her actual life; Atticus is based off her father who was also a lawyer, Dill was in reference of her friend Truman Capote, and Jean Louise is referring to Lee herself telling the story of her life experiences (Baddeley). Throughout the novel, Lee expresses the events that went on around her during the

The sun still rose in the east and set in the west. Birds still flew and fish still swam. The citizens of Maycomb proceeded with their lives as normal, but Scout felt as though everything was different. Scout developed and matured enormously throughout Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Prolonged summers, during The Great Depression, consisted of acting out characters, spying on the mysterious Arthur (Boo) Radley, and running around wild and free. These jaunty summers frequently overshadowed the realities of Scout’s world. As her life continued, experiences and encounters provided her the opportunity to step out of the picture frame and see the entire picture. Scout’s perspective is continually altered and progressed through challenging situations with Miss Caroline, experiences of goodness and solidarity in the black community with Calpurnia, and situations when her once fictional neighbor, Boo Radley, became a reality.

To ‘Kill a Mockingbird’ is a fairly long, complex novel that encompasses a wide range of issues and universal themes. Accordingly, Harper Lee’s highly acknowledged ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ emphasises the importance of people in positions of privilege to stand up and resist systemic discrimination in order to protect the innocent. Lee has fictionalised the infinitesimal county of Maycomb, a town set in the plot of her Pulitzer prize winning book. This piece of golden fiction is narrated through Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a girl whose naivety increasingly declines as the story progresses; furthermore, her sense of morality. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who upholds high moral standards. Atticus was given the position to defend Tom