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Literary criticism of to kill a mockingbird
Literary Analysis of To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
Kill a mockingbird child education
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To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper lee in 1960. The novel tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, and Tom Robinson, a black servant, accused of raping a white female. Finch defends Robinson in court arguing lack of evidence as his main point. However, the judge and jury still believe the woman’s testimony and orders Robinson to be killed. The novel has been praised for its outstanding literature since its publication. However, it remains a banned book by the American Library Association for its use of racial slurs and profanity. Due to it being banned, many high schools have reconsidered the notion of teaching it to their students. Two prominent authors wrote articles pertaining to this piece of literature: Angela Shaw-Thornburg wrote an article on her re-reading of the novel and her opinions on it; while Malcom Gladwell wrote an article comparing Atticus Finch to a state governor liberalist, James Folsom, and the restraints of liberalism in the south. In addition, Rebecca Best contributes her thought on how the novel should be taught by introducing the idea of “the other.” Regardless of the modern day political arguments surrounding this piece of literature, this novel contains a large insight into the time period of the 1960s which is an influential topic that should be taught to young high school students. Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird to a group of high school students can be tricky, but insightful if done correctly. Instead of teaching it in an English classroom like it has been traditionally taught, it can be taught in a political science setting, teaching the students about the political limits in the deep south, utilizing Gladwell’s article. Gladwell uses Folsom, a former Alabama g... ... middle of paper ... ... white person’s view or about the difference between “the other,” as describe by society then by Jem and Scout. Many different ways to teach the novel may be argued for time to come, but the principle still remains that this novel should be taught to students for years ahead. Works Cited Best, Rebecca H. “Panopticism and the Use of “the Other” in To Kill a Mockingbird.” Mississippi Quarterly 62.3/4 (2009): 541-552. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. Caldwell, Malcolm. “The Courthouse Ring: Atticus Finch and the Limits of Southern Liberalism.” Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: New Essays. Meyer, Michael J. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010. 57-65. Print. Shaw-Thornburg, Angela. “On Reading To Kill a Mockingbird: Fifty Years Later.” Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: New Essays. Meyer, Michael J. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010. 113-127. Print.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
Throughout history, there are many influential pieces of literature. They shape the way that human society as a whole view various matters, such as politics, religion, and justice. Still, one book stands apart in the volumes of history, and continues to impact generations of readers to this day. It is an endless source of discussion for scholars, and provides both historical and moral value to students of all ages. This famed work is none other than Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird; a timeless story detailing the childhood of tomboy Scout Finch and her adventures in Maycomb county. While the book is fictitious, this does not take away from the very real effects it has on readers. How does Harper Lee accomplish such
Over the past decades the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been taught to American students anywhere from seventh grade to twelfth, credited as a story with themes such as coming of age, discrimination and justice, all of which might appeal to young adults. However, the teachings of the Lee’s recently second published book, Go Set A Watchman seem to be daunting many within the English profession. Some reasons why there is hesitation to incorporate the new novel into curriculum is because it contains incest, racism, and the reconstruction of the heroic Atticus Finch. In order to prevent misinterpretations of characters like those of Jean Louise and Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird should not be taught unless it is alongside with Go Set a Watchman.
In any classic novel such as To Kill A Mockingbird, the myriad differences in thinking between readers allow for many different interpretations. The author of such a work, however, must constantly make decisions concerning the best ways to fulfill his or her purpose in writing; Harper Lee decided that the symbol of the mockingbird was not displayed prominently enough, and so made it the crux of her novel rather than one of its neglectable elements. With its seemingly unsuited title, Lee's book keeps readers waiting for the moment when a mockingbird pops up--and shows what the author truly wanted her audiences to find.
The popularity of To Kill a Mockingbird has many different explanations from a diverse mixture of opinions. As stated earlier, this book is read for the first time by many high school students and sometimes younger. It uncovers concepts and realities that many young people are not used to or have never really understood. The main theme for a young person is that you should not judge a person without first seeing the world through their eyes. This is a start for developing the young person into seeing more than themselves.
Racism is a targeted issue in Harper Lee’s 1930s-based novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In Maycomb County, a fictional town in Alabama, it seemed taboo to be antiracist. When a trial involving a black man accused of raping a local white female, eyebrows are raised and tempers take over the town. At this time, it is highly unlikely for a black man to be acquitted of charges even with a substantial amount of evidence to prove him innocent. With little hope, Tom Robinson is defended by Atticus, a local lawyer. Atticus knows nearly immediately that this case will not end in justice due to the color of Tom Robinson’s skin (Lee, 80).
Even though To Kill A Mockingbird was published in the 1960s, concepts from the novel can still be conveyed to a modern audience. For example, through the seemingly unimportant event of Jem inviting Walter to lunch, we too learn that one should be tolerant and understanding towards other people and not act as if you are mightier than them because they might have a different perspective from you. Modern audience can still understand the message because of the way it was presented. It is through ordinary situations like this that Lee passes on important lessons on moral righteousness and integrity.
vol. 45 (1993-1994): 473. Racism in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Ed. Candice Mancini. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. 67-76. Print.
To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel by Harper Lee embodies a work of Southern literature, set in the 1930s in a small town in Alabama. The book’s genre exemplifies a coming-of-age historical fiction story. The narrator, a young girl named Scout Finch, describes the lessons she and her brother Jem learn when their father, a lawyer named Atticus, defends an African American man who stands accused of raping a white woman. The novel’s premise revolves around the efforts of a father raising his children and guiding them in their moral development. Along the way, the book deals with the themes of courage, prejudice and maturity. These three concepts are defined differently by Atticus than by most of the other people in the town where he lives. According to Atticus, courage means doing what remains as right and resisting what remains as wrong, even if other people oppose you. In contrast to the prejudice of the townspeople, Atticus believes it important to treat everyone equally. Maturity, in Atticus’ view, refers to having a sense of conscience and seeking to protect those who remain innocent. As these definitions show, Atticus Finch displays a strong sense of ethics. His goal as a parent remains to pass his values on to his children. This paper will argue that Scout and Jem learn the true meanings of courage, prejudice and maturity through the influence of their father and the example he sets for them.
In 1960, a novel was written to outline injustices and racism against those who were innocent, though unfairly judged because of social expectations and prejudiced beliefs. This novel not only presented these issues, but is also considered a revolutionary piece of literature, still being read by many people today, more than 50 years later. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has caused some controversy about the intents of the book and the way certain people or groups are presented. Whether To Kill a Mockingbird as a narrative outshines the issue it presents is a debatable argument. However, I believe that the narrative of the novel supports the concerns exhibited for numerous reasons. In what follows, some of these are presented: the historical
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee seems like a complete replica of the lives of people living in a small Southern U.S. town. The themes expressed in this novel are as relevant today as when this novel was written, and also the most significant literary devices used by Lee. The novel brings forward many important themes, such as the importance of education, recognition of inner courage, and the misfortunes of prejudice. This novel was written in the 1930s. This was the period of the “Great Depression” when it was very common to see people without jobs, homes and food. In those days, the rivalry between the whites and the blacks deepened even more due to the competition for the few available jobs. A very famous court case at that time was the Scottsboro trials. These trials were based on the accusation against nine black men for raping two white women. These trials began on March 25, 1931. The Scottsboro trials were very similar to Tom Robinson’s trial. The similarities include the time factor and also the fact that in both cases, white women accused black men.
I am Harper lee and I am the author of the 1960’s book to ‘to kill a mocking bird’. I am here today to discuss the advantages my book can have on your education today and your future lives and ideals. Although my novel is set in the southern states of America in the period of the 1930’s, I wrote this book to highlight the importance of noticing racism in society and because my personal beliefs are that everyone is equal in our society and prejudice based on colour wasn’t acceptable in the days of slavery and I felt the same sort of prejudice based on race still existed to this day and that the nature of racism throughout our society is a big issue.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, is a novel which explores the theme of challenging racial prejudice. Within this novel, Lee has portrayed unintentional racial prejudice through the characters Atticus Finch, Link Deas and Scout Finch. With these characters, and their roles in exploring the theme of racial prejudice, Harper Lee has set unintentional boundaries for readers, as result, racial prejudicial thinking from contemporary perspective, in comparison to historical views, is challenged to a small extent.
In conclusion, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a breathtaking novel that challenges the themes of prejudice, discrimination, the loss of innocence and social injustice. This novel touches these topics in ways that no other had ever before it and will remain a cultural phenomenon for years to come.
Harper Lee’s unforgettable novel To Kill A Mockingbird, illustrates the character of Atticus Finch to establish the themes of sympathy, empathy, and a symbol of the dying past. The setting of the novel takes place during the 1930’s in the small town of Maycomb County, Alabama. During the 1930’s, discrimination towards black people was heavily segregated in the south. All throughout Lee’s novel, Atticus is characterized as being empathetic towards all of the Maycomb County citizens, and encourages his children “to consider things from [other people’s] point of view.” He is appointed to defend an innocent black man on trial for accused rape of a white woman. Lee establishes the idea of injustice through Atticus’ integrity and beliefs that “all