To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

The 60s. They seem so long ago. The Vietnam War, the first GPS satellite, a time of 8-tracks and cassette tapes, they seem like so long ago. The 60s is also when To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was first published, a majorly successful book written about a majorly controversial topic. Lee sets out to tackle the topic by telling a story through the perspective of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a nine year old girl. The story focuses on the events of the Finches, the Ewells, a trial of a black man, and Boo Radley, all in the town of Maycomb. Using these characters, Harper Lee shows how racism is something that is learned through society, and can be avoided.

Since the story is told in Scout’s point of view, a lot of her opinions are expressed throughout the story. Lee uses Scout and her brother, Jem and their friend Dill to show how racism is something that is not built in to human nature. “I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks” (Lee 23). Lee provides the argument that children are not born with racism, and with the right influences, children can not only avoid racism, but can grow to respect blacks.

Atticus is the main influence in the children’s life. He is fair to blacks, respectful to not only blacks, but also everyone around him. He doesn’t engage Ewell when he confronts Atticus for defending a black. “It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us: this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life. ‘I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco,’ was all Atticus said about it” (Lee 22-23). Atticus was also very stubborn. When handed the responsibility of defending Tom Robinson, Atticus knows he is going to lose. But he doe...

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...s a way to show what would happen if you deviated from the norm. Atticus is well respected in the community, even though he goes against the social norm. “They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” (Lee 11). Every time people see Scout and Jem, they treat them with the utmost respect. The Ewells on the other hand, follow the social norm, but are “poor white trash” of Maycomb. When Bob Ewell gets stabbed by Boo Radley, no one is the wiser and no one is sad or concerned about his death, even the sheriff. Lee shows that going the more difficult, but more “correct” choice will pay off in the end, even if everyone else does something else different.