Tag: ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’

From reading the book, we’ve discovered more about Jem, and his everchanging personality as he turns into a man.

Slowly, he is realising how everyone else thinks, what they percieve and the horrors that are associated with it. Racism, prejudice and the feeling of superiority, more-so linked with the ‘upper class’ of Maycomb. Examples such as Scout asking for Walter Cunningham to stay with them, and aunt Alexandra explaining why he cant as ‘he is trash’, beneth the Finches and therefore cannot be connected with them.

Jem is also shown to be taking on much more responsibility, whilst learning what ties go with what suits, such as explaining to Scout what complicated words mean aswell as elaborating on events that occur in the book.

(–AFTER FEEDBACK–)

These all lead Jem to feel frustrated, angry and occasionally just upset. Usually he attempts to hide these, in order to set an example for his little sister. With these feelings also comes realisation, of why certain things are so in maycomb. Like Boo Radley staying indoors most of the time- Jem uncovers that his reasons are quite the opposite to everyone wishing he does so. It is infact, because he chooses to. He isnt a fan of the society that populate maycomb either, and chooses to outcast himself the best he can.

Harper lee uses the technique of allusion in her book ‘to kill a mockingbird’. An example being the  biblical effect of refering to Atticus as Tom Robinsons savior, elevating him to a christ-like level such as in the bible, as christ is a savior.

Others examples being of how the book alludes to other parts within the story, be it future or past. She even alludes to parts happening in that time period such as world war II.

Harper Lee uses satire in to kill a mockingbird, particularly on page 236 and 237 with the white community, as well as Dill and Jem. An example being the differences in how people reacted to the conviction of Tom Robinson. Rather than the black community be shocked, knowing full well his innocence, they are acceptant, because their hopes were never raised in the first place. They knew from the start that because of sociaty’s prejudice against black people, that there was almost no chance of him not being innocent.

The opposition being how the white community, although listening to all in the court and the valuble points Atticus had to say, found Tom Robinson guilty none-the-less. Whether they felt Tom Robinson was innocent or not, in order to keep up their reputation and nature of segregation, it was what they had to do- the ‘right’ thing to do.

Another perspective being Dill and Jem’s. Their outrage and confusion of how such a thing can occur, when the fact were handed out and the truth was more or less certain to all. This enthesises their innocence  which in turn is another example of Harper Lee relating to mockingbirds.

(–AFTER FEEDBACK–)

Examples of satire include when aunt Alexandra and her friends speak of the black people in maycomb, of how christianity was once used in order to stop a maid from crying and to continue her work. This is satire because the friend of Alexandras is infact not very religous and assumes the black maid is.

Scout is depicted as a mockingbird in harper lee’s book. Her innocence leads her under that label, as well as her way with words as shown very early on in the book, representing mockingbirds singing.

The feature of symbolism is used in the novel on page 179, during which Scout is describing the new courthouse, as the old one no-longer stands from being burnt. ‘From the other side, however, greek revival columns clashed with big nineteenth-century clock tower housing a rusty unreliable instrument, a view indicating a people determined to preserve every physical scrap of the past.’

From a certain standpoint, the courthouse would symbolise the world around them, newly built from the old whilst maintaining is foundations. The clock representing racism, old and useless to which many have given up on, but those few still check it for the time. And the columns standing for different things from different perspectives (as the rest can too), perhaps Atticus holding up justice, or Scout and Jem holding up the burden of Atticus defending a black man, seen as how they seem to be affected more than their father is.

From logical veiwpoints rather than metaphorical the ‘film of dust’ would suggest the courthouse or its proper uses are rarely used. This would lead to enthusise that the law of maycomb disregard their duty, and make things how they wish them to be- weither somone is innocent or not.

Throughout the book the character Scout asks questions and seems conflicted of right and wrong. In A way, Harper Lee is communicating with the reader through Scout.

I believe methods such as making her A tom-boy are intentional, and are ways or making her relatable to A brouder audiance. Her innocents was also purposely performed so as to not cut off people who think differently to the ongoing events. Younger readers may be targeted, as Scout is growing up and learning just as they are. Going deeper, Scout may have many characteristics and features taken from Harper Lee, which many authors do, in order for them and others to create A likeable subject.

Jean-Louise’s innocents is expressed in events such as the racism. She is almost oblivious to the crime. Examples would be when she asks her father, Atticus, what A nigger is, or her questioning why people call Atticus A nigger-lover.