To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay

During chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout and Jem Finch’s opinion of their father Atticus changes from them being embarrassed by him to them feeling admiration and pride for him and his hidden talents; this teaches the children that there are many things that make up a person and they should not have a narrow or single view of people. In the beginning of the chapter Scout realizes all their schoolmates’ fathers are much younger than Atticus, and this is embarrassing for her. She wishes he could be normal, especially now with all the attention on her father from the trial in which he will be defending a negro. According to Scout’s narrative, “Jem underlined it when he asked Atticus if he was going out for the Methodists

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.

Atticus Finch is widely regarded as one of the most influential characters in modern literature. His pivotal role in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee exemplifies this influence and demonstrates his positive effect on his children, Jem and Scout. Throughout the novel, Atticus leads by example and provides lessons and teachings for his children to follow. His wisdom proves to be an instrumental part in the maturation and development of his children, and helps them to grow, learn, and adapt to the changing world around them. Atticus Finch teaches his children important lessons by forcing Jem read to Mrs. Dubose, remaining pacifistic, and defending Tom Robinson; therefore, he is a beneficial father and role model for his children.

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.

Atticus preached the wisdom of sympathy and understanding to Jem and Scout and never holds grudges against anyone in Maycomb. Atticus was older than many other fathers, which embarrassed Jem and Scout, but Atticus’s wise parenting quotes, “Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him,” which ultimately wins their respect for him. Another respectable thing he taught his children was how to be literate. He recognizes the importance of teaching Jem and Scout how to respect others and learn about courage. An important example, when Mr. Dubose was dying, he made Jem go read to her, which leads up to a crucial lesson about strength and courage by stating “I wanted you to see what real courage is…it’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through, no matter what.” The most important aspect in the major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, was that he didn’t just tell his children things he wanted them to consider important, he actually lives according to such lessons. For example, even though he knows he will not win the case and is “licked” he goes ahead and pursues it anyway. As a father his most important role seems to be as a guidance above all else and his children, much like the rest of the community respect him

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).

“If you learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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.” This is just one of many examples of Atticus Finch parenting his children. When it comes to parenting, Atticus Finch, a fictional character in the 1960 novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, certainly knows what he’s talking about. His unique, then controversial, approach at raising Scout and Jem is a big part in To Kill A Mockingbird. He teaches them to be themselves and not care about what other people think of them, he teaches them to not judge people unless they really know what they’re going through, or their side of the story.

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience,” (Lee 120). This quote from To Kill a Mockingbird is a good representation of the book. The book is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, narrates the story of herself and her family facing the racial prejudices of the time. When her father Atticus, defends an innocent black man in a rape trial, Maycomb turns on Scout's family. Atticus, Scout, and her brother Jem stand up for what they believe in even if their neighbors disagree. By analyzing Harper Lee’s use of symbolism and tone, the reader can learn that courage isn’t physical strength, you gain morals as you grow, and prejudice kills innocence.

In addition to Atticus working hard on the case, he also made sure his children are treating others with the best of kindness and respect. Scout and Jem have many encounters with children at school who have parents that are ashamed to know Atticus because of the Tom Robinson case. They have taught their kids that it’s a sin to help a black man, and Scout and Jem feel the effects from that. Despite those troubles, Atticus teaches his children to always hold their head high, and to turn the other cheek. Scout tries very hard to keep Atticus’s words true to her heart, and makes sure that she walks away when other kids try to pick fights with her. She struggles with not letting the things that people say about Atticus make her mad. “Promise you won’t tell Atticus about this. He- he asked me one time to not let anything I heard about him make me mad, an’ I’d ruther

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 classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a thrilling bildungsroman following the timeline of a young girl named Jean-Louise (Scout) Finch, written by Harper Lee. As a young girl, Scout lacked a biological mother, the result of a sudden health tragedy. Mothers play a very important role in the life of a young girl. A Mother's goal is to guide their children down a healthy path of life while providing the necessary components needed to thrive. Although Scout's mother died years ago, her mother figure was superseded by Calpurnia because she is trusted by Atticus to care for the children, she enforces rules and disciplinary actions towards Scout, and she teaches Scout important lessons throughout the progression of the storyline.

The author demonstrates moral education through Atticus one way in the novel is through the sympathy he conveys to those around him. Lee provides examples of this character when Scout is informing the reader of what Atticus is doing as they walk ahead of her and Dill on their way back home from finding Atticus and a lynch mob outside of the Maycomb County Jail: “Atticus and Jem were well ahead of us, and I assumed that Atticus was giving him hell for not going home, but I was wrong…Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection” (Lee 157). Although Jem does not follow Atticus’s orders while at the jail because he is worrying about his father’s safety, Atticus does not get made and scold him. Instead, Atticus is understanding of Jem and is somewhat proud of his son for standing up for what is right against the racist lynch mob seeking Tom Robinson. This characteristic can also be seen while Scout is describing the town of Maycomb, her family’s history, as well as her relationship with her family members to the readers: “Jem and I found our father satisfactory: he played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment” (Lee 10). Atticus’s relationship with his kids shows that he is still caring and compassionate while also distancing himself from them. By Atticus

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel published in 1960 by Harper Lee. The story takes place in a small old town in Alabama called Maycomb. a lot people are racist and they like to gossip. it’s a small town, so gossip spread out very quickly. In this novel, a mockingbird is a clue through the novel because it's in the title and there are some character fits into traits of a mockingbird. Mockingbirds are independent, protective, and innocent. They make noise, copy others voices, and they are harmless. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Maudie, Boo, and Atticus are three characters that fit the traits of a mockingbird due to how they speak and behave.