Analysis on To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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Harper Lee’s novel is considered to be an American Classic. Set during the 1930s, at the time of the Great Depression, in the US it was a time of excess poverty and a daily struggle for many. The book tells the story of the early life of Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and her Brother Jeremy Finch (Jem) as they grow up in Maycomb County, Alabama. Told in first person narrative from the perspective of Scout it is an excellent way to convey the feelings that she battles with as well as beautifully conveying the events unfolding. Set over a 3 year period the book addresses many of the issues children have growing up, including their inquisitive drive for information and lust for knowledge. In addition Lee intertwines the story of Scout and Jem with many of the wider issues of the time such as violence, prejudice and social inequality. This review will first of all target the story and provide a summary of the major events and turning points before moving on to examine the themes and deeper meaning behind the book and the messages, if any, that Lee was trying to convey to the reader. The novel is wonderfully constructed into two parts. The first of these deals with introducing the characters to the reader and setting them in context. The two children live with their lawyer father Atticus who receives help bringing them up and with household chores from their maid Calpurnia, a coloured woman. The sleepy street that Scout and Jem inhabit with their father Atticus has a number of residents who are described to us individually. The most important of these is the Radley family who live a couple of doors down from the Finch’s. The Radley’s are a family shrouded in mystery as they seem to live an eccentric life. They make no effort to engage in th... ... middle of paper ... ...ays, Nome, just a lady.” This shows the pressure Scout is put under by the arrival of Aunt Alexandra and how she begins to conform to the gender role he aunt wishes her to fulfil. Scout is not permitted to have her own dreams if they don’t fit into the structured life of a Southern Lady. The character of Atticus is probably the most important in the novel with regard to the themes. He is surrounded by prejudice in every day life whether it be watching his daughter being told she must fulfil her gender role or trying to defend Tom Robinson from accusations arising because of his race. However it is through the character of Atticus that Lee presents another of the novels major theme’s, the inherent goodness of man. Final theme; Loss of childhood innocence, displayed through narrative and signalled by scouts understanding of boo radley being let off with the crime.

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