theme essay on to kill a mockingbird

Themes and Analysis

To kill a mockingbird, by harper lee.

The theme of race and injustice is a powerful element of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee that makes the novel a great sensation.

Article written by Onyekachi Osuji

B.A. in Public Administration and certified in Creative Writing (Fiction and Non-Fiction)

Race is the most prominent theme in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. However, Lee also explores other important themes like innocence, reputation, and parenting in the novel. The novel is written in the first-person narrative, but Lee’s genius shows in how she balances the limited perspective of the first-person narrator and the need to give readers a complete picture of events.

Race is a major theme in To Kill A Mockingbird . We see racial inequality and injustice in the Depression-Era South throughout the novel . The most striking evidence of racial injustice is the unfair accusation of rape on Tom Robinson—Mayella Ewell and her father Bob contrive to accuse Tom of rape because they cannot stand it being known by the public that Mayella who is white tried to seduce a black man. Then we see the racism of the people in the mob that attempt to lynch Tom Robinson before his trial and ultimately, in the jury who pronounce him guilty despite strong evidence and a brilliant argument by Atticus Finch in his defense.

Aside the prominent case of racism against Tom Robinson, we also see other instances of racism in the social structure of the South at the time. The blacks live in separate neighborhoods from the whites, most of the black people are illiterate because there are no schools for them, and the career options available to the blacks are limited to domestic servants, field hands, and garbage collectors.

Another subtle indication of racism is Aunt Alexandra’s outrage that Scout lacks a female influence in her life despite knowing that Calpurnia is a female and has been in Scout’s life since birth. Calpurnia’s feminine influence on Scout counts as nothing to Aunt Alexandra because Calpurnia is a black woman and Scout a white girl.

To Kill A Mockingbird addresses the interplay between what the public perceives a person to be and what a person truly is. In the novel, we see that sometimes, people are truly what their reputation says they are, while some other people are different from what they are reputed to be.

Atticus Finch is a man whose reputation is consistent with his true personality. He is known across town as a ”n****r lover” which he truly is, and every other aspect of his character is public knowledge. In Maudie Atkinson’s words: ”Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.”

For some other characters, their reputation is a misrepresentation of their personality. For instance, Boo Radley’s reputation as a monster is wrong because, in truth, he is a kind young man who is just shy and keeps to himself. Another instance is Mr Dolphus Raymond’s reputation as a drunkard, which is false as he is a sober man who is a happy and loving father and husband to his colored wife and children. He keeps up that reputation for giving society something to cling to as a reason to pity him while they condemn his decisions.

Childlike Innocence

Childlike innocence is a powerful theme in To Kill A Mockingbird. Childlike innocence exposes the folly of racial and class prejudice exhibited by adults. And the irony is that the adults are the ones who should know better but end up being the ignorant ones. Scout as a child does not see any reason to discriminate against people because of gender and class and she becomes saddened by the realization that the society in which she lives has such prejudicial sentiments.

We also see how the evil ways of adults can threaten and corrupt childlike innocence. For instance, Aunt Alexandra’s grandson Francis, learns racial slurs against blacks from his conventionally southern white grandparents.

At the end of the day, Scout’s experiences of hatred and racial prejudice in her hometown make her wise beyond her age but she still maintains her childhood innocence of regarding people as equal and protecting the helpless.

Gender is a social construct that comes with expectations and limitations in the South. There are expectations of how a girl ought to dress, and act, and standards of propriety for ladies.

Scout, a girl, dresses, and plays like a boy. Early in their childhood, her being a girl makes no difference to her brother Jem and friend Dill, but as they grow up, they begin to exclude her from their play and from their secrets for the reason that she is a girl.

Aunt Alexandra always disapproves of Scout for being a tomboy and insists that Scout ought to wear dresses and play with dolls with is a conventionally feminine way for a girl to behave.

Scout meets the white ladies of the County when her aunt Alexandra hosts them in their home and the hypocrisy of their speech and manners makes her feel more like an outsider to people of her own gender.

Injustice and Unfairness

In To Kill A Mockingbird, we see that there is injustice and unfairness in the world and that even the law sometimes cannot protect the innocent from injustice.

Tom Robinson is pronounced guilty and killed violently despite being an innocent good man. It shows that good does not always prevail over evil and that the cruelty of the world sometimes succeeds in destroying good harmless people.

Analysis of Key Moments

• Two siblings, Scout and Jem live in a nice neighborhood with their widowed father Atticus Finch. The siblings only play with each other as there are no other children in the neighborhood to play with until a boy named Dill visits one summer and they become friends.
• There is a house in the neighborhood that is always shut and never receives visitors. The occupants of the house are the Radleys and their son Boo Radley is never seen outside which makes children formulate many legends about him being a monster.
• The children devise various plots to see Boo Radley but never succeed.
• Atticus Finch’s sister Alexandra comes to live with them because she does not approve of Atticus’s unconventional parenting style
• Atticus is assigned to defend a crippled black man called Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a white young lady called Mayella Ewell.
• Atticus goes to guard the accused Tom Robinson in his cell following rumors that a mob is trying to lynch him.
• Scout, Jem, and Dill surreptitiously follow Atticus to the cell.
• When the lynching mob arrives, Scout unwittingly talks them out of their intention to lynch Tom Robinson.
• Tom Robinson goes to trial but is pronounced guilty by the jury despite Atticus Finch’s strong argument and defense.
•  Atticus promises Tom that they will appeal the decision of the court. But before that, Tom is killed while trying to escape from prison.
•  Bob Ewell, the father of the allegedly raped Mayella Ewell, who felt Atticus Finch humiliated him in court, attacks Jem and Scout on their way back from a Halloween party. Boo Radley rescues them from the attack and the children’s perception of him changes from phantom to hero.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told in the first-person narration. The story is a flashback to childhood days of the past and a narration of those events in retrospect . The current age of the narrator is not specified but we know that the narrator is older and has gained more wisdom with age as she narrates the events.

Even though there are some complex words in the novel, the diction is generally simple. The writing style is not flowery or exaggeratedly artistic, the writing is direct and conversational.

The tone of the narrator is nostalgic and playful at the beginning but becomes progressively melancholic as she narrates grave events.

Sarcasm and euphemism are also prominent figures of speech used in the novel. For instance, on page 79, Harper Lee simplifies Aunt Alexandra’s sexual copulation with her husband, the conception and birth of her child as: ” Long ago, in a burst of friendliness, Aunty and Uncle Jimmy produced a son called Henry.” Read more quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird here .

Foreshadowing is a notable literary device deployed in the story. For instance, the climactic event of Scout and Jem’s attack is foreshadowed by the statement ”And thus began our longest walk together.”

Analysis of Symbols

The mockingbird.

The Mockingbird is a symbol of goodness and innocence that should be allowed to exist and thrive but is unfortunately preyed upon and destroyed by the wickedness and injustice in the world. The character Tom Robinson is a mockingbird—an innocent man who works hard, takes care of his family, does not make any trouble, and renders assistance to those in need of it without asking for anything in return. But unfortunately, the unjust society in which he lives destroys him with a false rape allegation and a violent death.

Boo Radley is another mockingbird whose personality is subdued by his family’s cruelty.

The Mockingbird gives the novel its title as Atticus teaches his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.

The Rabid Dog

This symbolizes the unpleasant reality which looms in the South but that the average people would rather not confront. The rabid dog poses a danger to all but none of the people in the neighborhood take any decisive action to confront it, they rather retire indoors and shut their doors. Even the sheriff stalls and manages to place the task of killing the dog on Atticus Finch.

The rabid dog is just as unpleasant and as dangerous as racism but even the good people in Maycomb County are afraid to confront it and the fight is and so the responsibility is always left on Atticus Finch’s shoulders.

The Refuse Dump

The refuse dump is the abode of the Ewells. Living in the refuse dump symbolizes that the Ewells are trash both literally and figuratively.

What is the main message in To Kill A Mockingbird ?

The main message in To Kill A Mockingbird is that it is wrong to prey on the innocent and that racial prejudice is cruel and wrong.

Who is the narrator in To Kill A Mockingbird ?

The narrator of To Kill A Mockingbird is a girl called Scout. Her full name is Jean Louise Finch and narrates the story as she recalls the events that took place during her childhood. She is a white girl from a relatively wealthy home. She is playful, stubborn, and tomboyish and begins to realize that she lives in a racially prejudiced society as she comes of age.

Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?

The answer to this is given by Miss Maudie Atkinson when she explains to Scout that the only thing mockingbirds do is make music for others to enjoy, they do not destroy people’s crops, do not nest in corncribs, and so it is a kill to kill such a creature that does nothing but bring pleasantness to others.

Is To Kill A Mockingbird based on a true story?

No, To Kill A Mockingbird is not based on a true story, it is fictional.

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About Onyekachi Osuji

Onyekachi was already an adult when she discovered the rich artistry in the storytelling craft of her people—the native Igbo tribe of Africa. This connection to her roots has inspired her to become a Literature enthusiast with an interest in the stories of Igbo origin and books from writers of diverse backgrounds. She writes stories of her own and works on Literary Analysis in various genres.

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Everything You Need to Know About Analysing ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ for English | Summary, Context, Themes & Characters

One of the classics of American literature, ‘ To Kill a Mockingbird’ has been assigned to you for your English class and you need to conduct an essay analysis. Whether you’re looking for a summary of the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird or a quick refresher of the key characters or context, we’ve got you! 

You’ll also be able to download a copy of our analysed textual examples, as well as a sample paragraph so you can ace your tasks.

Let’s take a look together! 

To Kill a Mockingbird Summary Key Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird Symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird Context Themes Explored in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird

Summary of To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that centres around the Finch family and is told through the perspective of Jean (nicknamed Scout), within the town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus, Jean’s father, is a prominent lawyer and the family lives relatively comfortably despite the impacts of the Great Depression. 

Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Scout, her brother Jem and their friend Dill spend the summer together where Dill eventually becomes fascinated by the Radley’s house where Boo Radley, a mysterious and ghostly figure that is the topic of much speculation and stories for the children of Maycomb .

Scout and Jem find gifts in the knothole of a tree on the Radley property, but Nathan Radley chases the children off the property and eventually seals up the knothole. When a fire breaks out, Jem tells Atticus that Boo is caused it. 

Access the To Kill a Mockingbird Downloadable Sample Paragraph and Examples of Analysis

The climax of the novel arrives when Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man who has been accused of raping a white woman. As a result, Scout and Jem get bullied by other children in their conservative, racist town.

At a pivotal moment, Mrs Dubose, the neighbour of the Finch family, harasses the children and Jem lashes out by destroying her garden.

As punishment, Atticus tells Jem to read to Mrs Dubose every day, explaining to the children that she is addicted to morphine and trying to overcome her addiction. Thus, despite the children’s initial indignation, Atticus teaches them an important lesson in empathy and perspective. 

When Tom Robinson’s trial begins, he is held in the local courthouse where a group of people gather planning to lynch him. Atticus confronts the group the night before the trial, where Jem and Scout sneak out of the house to join him.

Recognising one of the men, Scout gently asks him how his son is doing, unknowingly shaming him and causing the group the disperse. 

At the trial, the siblings choose to sit with the town’s Black citizens as Atticus presents clear evidence that Mayella and Bob Ewell are lying about the rape.

Atticus demonstrates that the injuries on Mayella’s face are wounds from Bob when he found her with Tom. However, despite the convincing evidence indicating Tom’s innocence, the all-white jury convicts him. 

Tom is killed later on when he tries to escape prison. Additionally, despite his success at the trial, Bob Ewell feels that he has been made a fool and takes revenge.

First, he harasses Tom’s widow before finally attacking Jem and Scout as they walk home from a party. However, the children are saved by Boo Radley who fatally stabs Ewell during the struggle.

Boo carries an injured Jem home and Atticus insists that Ewell tripped over a tree root and fell on his knife to protect Boo.  The novel ends with Scout walking Boo home and reflecting on the events of the novel and the complexities of humanity. 

Key Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird

Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch is the main character and we first met her when she is 6 years old, although it is narrated by an older Scout who is reflecting and looking back on her life. Through her, we learn about the town, her family and what it was like to live in the early 1930s during the Great Depression and the racial tensions that existed during that time.  

Atticus Finch Atticus Finch is a single father in To Kill a Mockingbird who is appointed as the defence lawyer for a Black man who is accused of raping a White woman. Throughout the novel, Atticus teaches the children about empathy and how to view situations from different people’s perspectives instead of judging them harshly. 

Jem Finch Jem Finch is Scout’s older brother who looks up to their father a lot. As an older brother, Jem accompanies Scout for a lot of her adventures and it is evident that the two are close. Being older, we watch Jem mature and often understand issues that Scout still does not. 

Tom Robinson Tom Robinson is the Black man who Atticus defends during the rape trial. During the trial, there is compelling evidence that Tom is innocent and that the Ewells falsely accused him of rape. Despite this, Tom Robinson is found guilty due to the jury’s racial prejudice. 

Boo Radley Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley is the Finch’s mysterious neighbour which the children in the town often speculate and make up scary stories about him. While he was a teenager, Boo was part of a gang of boys who caused trouble in Maycomb by drinking and gambling. As a result of this, he was locked in his home for many years and not allowed out. However, he has a soft spot for the children, leaving them gifts in the knothole of a tree and saving Jem when he is attacked by Bob Ewell. 

Symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird

Mockingbird In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the symbolic significance of the mockingbird resonates deeply. It represents innocence and goodness . Atticus Finch’s advice to his children, Scout and Jem, to never harm a mockingbird metaphorically extends beyond the bird itself. The innocent characters like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are likened to mockingbirds, as they bring no harm but are subjected to cruelty and injustice due to societal prejudices .

The Radley Place The ominous Radley house and its reclusive occupants, particularly Boo Radley, symbolise the fear of the unknown . The town’s gossip and myths surrounding the Radleys serve as a reflection of the community’s prejudiced attitudes. Boo Radley, initially feared and misunderstood, eventually becomes a symbol of compassion and kindness, challenging the town’s preconceived notions.

These symbols intricately weave into the narrative, adding layers of depth to the novel’s themes of innocence, prejudice, empathy, and the complexities of morality and human behavior.

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in Alabama during the 1930s, allowing Harper Lee to explore the impact of racism and the Great Depression on people. While slavery had been abolished in 1890, most White Americans continued to hold racial prejudices against them.

Segregation laws meant that Black people were separated from White people. This is reflected in Maycomb where they live in a separate part of town and even sit in a separate area during Tom Robinson’s trial. 

Image sourced from Britannica

Additionally, Lee demonstrates the racism in America during this time through the town’s response to Atticus agreeing to defend Tom and his subsequent trial. From the children being harassed, the attempted lynching of Tom and finally being found guilty by the jury despite overwhelming proof of his innocence, the novel demonstrates how racism affected Black people in all aspects of their lives during this time. 

While the novel was set in the 1930s, Lee wrote it during the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement was happening . The legal system continued to be discriminatory towards Black people, thus many of the racial themes that Lee explores in the novel would easily be recognisable to the public when the book was published.

The continued relevance of To Kill a Mockingbird during the 21st century can still be seen in the Black Lives Matter movement in America and ongoing racial injustices. 

Image sourced from Minnesota Historical Society

Themes Explored in To Kill a Mockingbird

As you read through To Kill a Mockingbird, you will encounter themes such as:

• Empathy and courage
• Loss of innocence 

The Complexities of Humanity

To Kill a Mockingbird explores the complexities of humanity and how both good and evil can exist at the same time within people. Told through the perspective of Scout between the ages of 6-9, readers are offered an opportunity to watch Scout mature while also learning alongside her. 

Social Prejudice

Themes of social prejudice are also strong within the novel, featuring various social outcasts from Mrs Dubose who is a morphine addict, Boo Radley and the Black citizens of Maycomb.

Through these characters, Lee is able to explore the different prejudices society often holds and encourages us to be empathetic to people we may think of as unpleasant or weird due to their differences or behaviours. Instead, we are encouraged to see a different point of view and “climb into his skin and walk around in it”. 

The Enduring Relevance of the Text

While To Kill a Mockingbird was set in the 1930s and written in the 1960s, many of the themes continue to remain relevant more than 50 years later. It is likely that your English classes will ask you to consider why we continue to study this book and what it teaches us about social prejudices.

While segregation may be a thing of the past, themes like racism’s impact on the justice system can still be seen in movements like Black Lives Matter. Additionally, while the book deals with racism specifically, social prejudices like how we interact with people from different backgrounds, those with a disability or LGBTQ+ people can also be examined through this book. 

Events to Keep in Mind

While Tom Robinson’s case is the climax of the novel, there are various characters and events that you should keep a lookout for as well!

From the children going to the Black church, their interactions with Mrs Dubose and Boo Radley — there are various events where the children build empathy and challenge their own opinions of other citizens in the town , providing an opportunity for the readers to learn alongside them too. 

How to Analyse To Kill a Mockingbird in 3 Steps

Usually, when students try to write their essay for To Kill a Mockingbird, or any other text, they’ll try to work on their thesis first when responding to an essay question — however, we recommend starting with your analysis!

Doing this will allow you to expand your knowledge of the text before thoroughly answering anything about it. Once you’ve analysed your text, then you can draw ideas from it and properly build your thesis.

We’re going to walk you through writing up an essay analysis for To Kill a Mockingbird in three simple steps!

Step 1: Choose your example

When picking an example ensure that you are able to identify a technique in the text.

Here, we have chosen to look at Atticus’s statement to the Court and jury at Tom Robinson’s trial:

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe – some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they’re born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others… But there is one way in this country in which all men have been created equal… That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”

This is quite a long quote from To Kill a Mockingbird, so remember when you’re actually writing up your analysis for your essay, you don’t actually need to include the complete quote — just excerpts.

We’ve got a list of 50 quotes that you should check out from To Kill a Mockingbird!

Step 2: Identify your technique(s)

Ensure that the technique you choose for your quote supports your analysis or helps you to build your argument.  

To enhance your response, you want to discuss techniques that have a lot more depth — you should keep an eye out for any literary techniques such as metaphors, similes and motifs!

For the above quote, there is repetition, cumulative listing, inclusive language and allusion. 

Step 3: Write the analysis

When writing the analysis, focus on the effect of the technique and how it supports your argument. In this case, we are going to analyse how the quote addresses the theme of racial prejudices. 

The opening of “we know all men are not created equal” subverts the American declaration of independence , as Atticus utilises cumulative listing to demonstrate all the ways in which men and women are not equal.

However, he also reminds the jury during this trial that the law is a “way in this country in which all men have been created equal”, alluding to the American Declaration of Independence and the core values of the nation . Analysis for this quote may look like: 

Atticus, aware that the jury is likely to find Tom Robinson guilty despite strong evidence of his innocence due to the racial prejudices the White jury is likely to hold tries to challenge this t hrough the inclusive language of in “we know all men are not created equal”, Atticus presents the jury and the defence as being on the same side. Furthermore, the allusion to the core American values when he states “in this country there is one way all men have been created equal”, creates an appeal to both the jury’s sense of justice and core American values. 

Need to write a Feature Article on ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’? Look no further than this incredible in-depth guide to help you ace your writing!

Need some help analysing other texts?

Check out other texts we’ve created guides for below:

• All the Light We Cannot See
• Lord of the Flies
• The Meursault Investigation
• In Cold Blood
• Pride and Prejudice
• Jasper Jones
• Romeo and Juliet

Read also: how to write a feature article for English ! 

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We can help you master your essay analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by taking you through the summary, key characters and themes. We’ll also help you ace your upcoming English assessments with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or online!

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Tiffany Fong is currently completing a double degree in Media and Communications with Law at Macquarie University. She currently contributes to the university zine, Grapeshot where she enjoys writing feature articles, commentary on current affairs or whatever weird interest that has taken over her mind during that month. During her spare time, Tiffany enjoys reading, writing, taking care of her plants or cuddling with her two dogs. 

• Topics: ✍️ Learn , ✏️ English

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To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Themes in to kill a mockingbird, the conflict between good and evil, moral complexity, laws and codes, the existence of social inequality, related posts:, post navigation.

To Kill a Mockingbird Main Themes Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The main themes of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird cover both adult and children’s concerns, including the dignity of human life, the importance of truth, the rights of people to be different, the need for a humane and holistic approach to education, and the corrosive destructiveness of racism. Lee uses several story lines and a whole town full of vivid characters to make her points, and, along the way, honor her lawyer father.

She clearly has seen, in her own life, the worst of racism, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, as well as the best of integrity and upright behavior in a variety of people. She wants readers to think about how they treat others, whether of different race, or mental ability, or style of learning, or any other difference that does no harm to the rest of us, exactly like the harmless mockingbird.

Harper Lee grew up in a town very like the setting of the novel. Her father was a local lawyer, a lean and lanky man very well represented by Gregory Peck in the 1962 movie. There were mysterious and shuttered homes in her neighborhood, and doubtless racial tensions. She was admired by her fellow townsfolk for her writing and her bravery in articulating the poisonous atmosphere of racism (Life Magazine, 1961).

In the final section of the novel, these points come to a dramatic culmination. The trial of Tom Robinson, which showcases the venal, mendacious, and violent tendencies of the Ewell family, especially Bob Ewell, is unsuccessful in vindicating Robinson. Nonetheless, Atticus is recognized by the African-American community as having done a masterful job in defending Robinson.

This is evidenced by the way Scout and Jem are prodded to rise in respect, along with all the African-Americans in attendance in the balcony (Lee, 1960, p. 350). This unshaken conviction that Atticus has done his best is also supported by the gifts in kind which the African-American community leaves at the Finch home (Lee, 1960, p. 352).

The summer passes with an uneasy sense of threat from Ewell (Lee, 1960, p. 360). There is plenty of time for Atticus to explain the criminal justice system, and why no one “like us” shows up on juries, as Jem wonders (Lee, 1960, p. 365). He also theorizes about Boo Radley’s motivations for staying shut up in his house (Lee, 1960, p. 376).

This is the calm before the storm, however, with the missionary circle’s almost surreally disconnected tea party that Scout is drawn into to teach her to be a young lady. It offers her an opportunity to listen to the sometimes-poisonous gossip (Lee, 1960, p. 379).

All this putative peace is shattered when Atticus announces Tom Robinson’s deeply suspicious death during an alleged escape attempt. Ewell’s hatred and desire for revenge are well-known. The pace of things picks up here and it is during Scout’s awkward homeward walk inside her ham costume that she is attacked by Bob Ewell, and rescued, as we learn later, by the reclusive Boo Radley.

In this event, Bob Ewell, the destroyer of Tom Robinson, a harmless cripple, is destroyed by Boo Radley, also a cripple. Radley has lived his life behind closed doors and shuttered windows because of his mysterious past behavior, but he has watched out for the Finch children, who are also harmless like the mockingbird.

Thus, there is a sort of justice carried out finally. The adults around Boo agree to ignore Boo’s role in the killing of Bob Ewell, and allow him to return to his secluded life undisturbed. Tom Robinson is avenged, although that does not help his wife or children. The Finch children are wiser, and perhaps sadder, but alive to tell the tale and change the world for the better. African-Americans are not any farther along, but there is some recognition of their worth as people (Shuman, 2002, p. 551).

Bibliography

Lee, H. (1960). To Kill A Mockingbird. New York: Harper Collins.

Life Magazine. (1961, May 21). Literary Laurels for a Novice. Life , 77.

Shuman, R. B. (2002). Great American Writers: Twentieth Century. Tarrytown, NY, USA: Marshall Cavendish.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 10). To Kill a Mockingbird Main Themes. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-kill-a-mockingbird-main-themes/

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1. IvyPanda . "To Kill a Mockingbird Main Themes." October 10, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-kill-a-mockingbird-main-themes/.

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'To Kill a Mockingbird' Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices

Maturity and innocence, justice and morality, literary devices.

• B.A., English, Rutgers University

To Kill a Mockingbird seems like a very simple, well-written morality tale at first glance. But if you take a closer look, you'll find a much more complex story. The novel explores the themes of prejudice, justice, and innocence.

The story of To Kill a Mockingbird takes place over the course of several years, beginning when Scout is 6 years old and ending when she is close to 9 years old, and her brother Jem is 9 (though very close to being 10) in the beginning and is 13 or 14 by the end of the story. Lee uses the young age of the children to tease out many of the complexities in her themes; Scout and Jem are frequently confused about the motivations and reasoning of the adults around them, especially in the earlier sections of the novel.

Initially, Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill make many incorrect assumptions about the world around them. They assume that Boo Radley is some sort of monster and ascribe near-supernatural powers to him. They assume that aunt Alexandra does not like them or their father. They assume that Mrs. Dubose is a mean old woman who hates children. And Scout in particular assumes that the world is a fair and honorable place.

Over the course of the story, the children grow up and learn more about the world, and many of these initial assumptions are revealed to be incorrect. Lee explores the way that growing up and maturing into adults makes the world clearer while also less magical and more difficult. Scout’s rage against Mrs. Dubose or her teachers at school is simple and easy to comprehend, as is her terror of Boo Radley. Understanding the complexities underneath the behaviors she sees makes it more difficult to hate Mrs. Dubose or fear Boo, which in turn ties into the more obvious themes of racism, intolerance, and innocence in the story. The end result is that Lee connects racism with childish fears that adults ought not to experience.

There’s little doubt that To Kill a Mockingbird is concerned with racism and its corrosive effects on our society. Lee explores this theme with an initial subtlety; Tom Robinson and the crimes he is accused of are not explicitly mentioned until Chapter 9 in the book, and Scout’s understanding that her father, Atticus, is under pressure to drop the case and that his reputation is suffering because of it is developed slowly.

Lee is not, however, solely concerned with racial prejudice. Rather, she explores the effects of prejudice of all kinds—racism, classism, and sexism. Scout and Jem slowly come to understand that all of these attitudes are incredibly harmful to society as a whole. Tom’s life is destroyed simply because he is a Black man. Bob and Mayella Ewell, however, are also looked down upon by the town for their poverty, which is assumed to be due to their low class status and not to any sort of economic cause, and Lee makes it clear that they persecute Tom in part in order to assuage their own feelings of rage at the way they are treated, that racism is inextricably linked to economics, politics, and self-image.

Sexism is explored in the novel through Scout and her constant battle to engage in behaviors she finds interesting and exciting instead of the behaviors that people like aunt Alexandra feel are more appropriate for a girl. Part of Scout’s development as a person is her journey from simple perplexity at these pressures to an understanding that society as a whole expects certain things from her solely due to her gender.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a surprisingly deft analysis of the differences between justice and morality. In the earlier parts of the novel Scout believes that morality and justice are the same thing—if you do wrong, you are punished; if you are innocent you will be fine. Tom Robinson’s trial and her observation of her father’s experiences teach her that there is often a stark difference between what is right and what is legal. Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime he is accused of, but loses his life. At the same time, Bob Ewell triumphs in the legal system but finds no justice either, and is reduced to drunkenly stalking children to compensate for being humiliated despite his victory.

Mockingbirds. The title of the book references a moment in the story where Scout recalls Atticus warning her and Jem that killing mockingbirds is a sin, and Miss Maudie confirms this, explaining that Mockingbirds do nothing but sing—they do no harm. The mockingbird represents innocence—an innocence Scout and Jem slowly lose over the course of the story.

Tim Johnson. The poor dog that Atticus shoots when it goes rabid has a name purposefully similar to Tom Robinson’s. The event is traumatic to Scout, and teaches her that innocence is no guarantee of happiness or of justice.

Boo Radley. Arthur Radley is not so much a character as a walking symbol of Scout and Jem’s growing maturity. The way the children perceive Boo Radley is a constant marker of their growing maturity.

Layered Narration. It can be easy to forget that the story is actually being told by a grown-up, adult Jenna Louise and not the 6-year-old Scout. This allows Lee to present the world in the stark black and white morality of a little girl while preserving the details whose significance would escape a child.

Revelation. Because Lee restricts the point of view to Scout and what she directly observes, many details of the story are only revealed long after their occurrence. This creates an air of mystery for the reader that mimics the childish sense of not quite understanding what all the adults are up to.

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Comprehensive Analysis of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’: Themes, Characters, and Symbolism

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a seminal work in American literature, written by Harper Lee and first published in 1960. The novel is set in the 1930s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, and is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl whose father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer defending a black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. Through Scout’s eyes, the novel explores profound themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and the loss of innocence. “To Kill a Mockingbird” won the Pulitzer Prize and has since become a classic, widely taught in schools and revered for its exploration of deep social issues.

The purpose of this summary is to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the novel, capturing its essence while ensuring that readers understand the key themes, characters, and plot elements. Given the novel’s complexity and the depth of its social commentary, this summary aims to highlight the most critical aspects of the story and its moral lessons. Understanding the context, motivations of the characters, and the overarching themes is essential for fully appreciating the novel’s impact on both literature and society.

Setting and Context

Maycomb, alabama.

The novel is set in the small, fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s. Maycomb is portrayed as a quiet, close-knit community where everyone knows each other, but it is also steeped in prejudice and tradition. The town’s slow-paced, somewhat stagnant way of life reflects the broader socio-economic conditions of the time, where change is resisted, and societal norms are rigidly upheld. The dusty streets, old buildings, and the sense of a community bound by long-standing customs create an atmosphere that is both familiar and oppressive, making it a fitting backdrop for the novel’s exploration of racism and social injustice.

Historical Context

The story unfolds during the Great Depression, a period of severe economic hardship in the United States. This historical context is crucial, as it adds layers to the social dynamics in Maycomb. Poverty is widespread, affecting both black and white communities, though the burdens of racial inequality exacerbate the struggles of the town’s black residents. The novel also takes place at a time when racial tensions were particularly heightened in the American South, where Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans was institutionalized.

Socio-Economic Environment

Maycomb is characterized by clear class divisions and a rigid social hierarchy. At the top are families like the Finches, who, despite not being wealthy, are respected due to their social standing and education. Below them are the poorer white families, such as the Cunninghams, who struggle financially but still retain a sense of pride. At the bottom of the social ladder are the black residents, who face systemic racism and are marginalized in every aspect of life. This hierarchy deeply influences the interactions between characters and drives much of the novel’s conflict. The economic disparities and social divisions in Maycomb are not just background details but pivotal elements that shape the story’s events and the characters’ motivations.

Main Characters

Scout finch.

Scout Finch, whose full name is Jean Louise Finch, serves as the narrator and protagonist of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The novel is recounted from her perspective, providing a unique blend of childhood innocence and retrospective wisdom. Scout is six years old at the beginning of the story, and her youthful curiosity drives much of the narrative. She is a tomboy who prefers overalls to dresses and enjoys playing with her brother, Jem, and their friend, Dill.

Scout’s innocence and straightforwardness make her an engaging narrator, allowing readers to see the events of Maycomb through the unfiltered eyes of a child. As the novel progresses, Scout’s understanding of the complexities of human nature deepens. She begins to grapple with the harsh realities of racism, injustice, and moral ambiguity, particularly as she witnesses her father’s efforts to defend Tom Robinson. By the end of the novel, Scout has grown significantly, both in her understanding of the world and in her empathy for others, symbolizing the journey from innocence to a more nuanced moral awareness.

Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch is the moral backbone of the novel, embodying integrity, wisdom, and compassion. A lawyer by profession, Atticus is a widower raising Scout and Jem alone, and he is as much a mentor as he is a father. His parenting style is progressive for the time; he treats his children with respect, encourages them to think critically, and instills in them the values of empathy and justice. Atticus is perhaps best known for his advice to Scout that “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 principle of empathy is central to Atticus’s character and serves as a moral compass throughout the novel.

Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson is the central event that brings the novel’s themes of racism and justice to the forefront. Despite knowing that the odds are stacked against him due to the entrenched racial prejudices of the time, Atticus takes on Tom’s case because he believes in doing what is morally right, regardless of the consequences. His calm demeanor, rationality, and unwavering commitment to justice make him a role model not only for Scout and Jem but also for readers. Atticus’s character challenges the moral failings of society and serves as a beacon of integrity in a deeply flawed world.

Jem Finch, Scout’s older brother, undergoes significant character development throughout the novel. At the beginning of the story, Jem is a typical boy of ten who enjoys playing games, particularly those that involve imagining the mysterious life of Boo Radley. However, as the events of the novel unfold, particularly during and after the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem’s character begins to change.

Jem’s journey is marked by a growing awareness of the injustices that pervade the adult world. He is deeply affected by the trial and the guilty verdict, which shatters his idealistic belief in fairness and justice. This disillusionment is a pivotal moment in Jem’s development, as he transitions from the innocence of childhood to a more mature, though more painful, understanding of the world. Jem’s protective instincts towards Scout also grow stronger, and he starts to take on a more adult-like role in their relationship. By the end of the novel, Jem is on the cusp of adolescence, carrying the weight of the lessons learned during these formative years.

Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson is a black man who is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. His character is central to the novel’s exploration of racism and injustice in the American South. Tom is portrayed as a hardworking, compassionate individual who, despite the overwhelming prejudice against him, tries to help Mayella out of pity for her lonely and difficult life.

Tom’s trial becomes the focal point of the novel, revealing the deep-seated racism that permeates the legal system and the community of Maycomb. Despite compelling evidence that proves his innocence, the jury convicts Tom simply because of his race. Tom’s fate is a powerful indictment of the racial inequalities of the time, and his character serves to highlight the human cost of prejudice. Tom Robinson is one of the “mockingbirds” of the novel, an innocent who suffers because of the evil and hatred of others.

Arthur “Boo” Radley is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood characters in the novel. Initially, Boo is portrayed as a figure of local legend, a reclusive man who never leaves his house and is the subject of various rumors and ghost stories told by the children of Maycomb. To Scout, Jem, and Dill, Boo is a source of both fear and fascination, and they spend much of their time imagining what he might be like.

As the novel progresses, Boo’s true nature is gradually revealed, particularly through his subtle acts of kindness towards the Finch children, such as leaving gifts in the knothole of a tree and eventually saving Scout and Jem from an attack by Bob Ewell. Boo Radley emerges as a symbolic “mockingbird” figure, representing the themes of innocence and goodness. Despite being feared and misunderstood by the community, Boo is ultimately a compassionate and protective figure. His relationship with Scout culminates in a poignant moment of mutual understanding, as Scout finally sees the world from Boo’s perspective, fulfilling one of the novel’s central moral lessons.

Supporting Characters

Several supporting characters play crucial roles in the development of the novel’s themes and plot.

Calpurnia , the Finch family’s black housekeeper, serves as a maternal figure to Scout and Jem, bridging the gap between the black and white communities in Maycomb. She is a strong, moral presence in the Finch household, teaching the children about respect and equality.

Dill Harris , a close friend of Scout and Jem, represents childhood innocence and curiosity. His fascination with Boo Radley and his reaction to the injustices of the trial reflect the novel’s exploration of innocence and its loss.

Bob Ewell , the antagonist of the novel, embodies the worst aspects of racism and ignorance in Maycomb. His false accusation against Tom Robinson and subsequent actions drive much of the novel’s conflict, culminating in his attempt to harm Scout and Jem.

Mayella Ewell , Bob’s daughter, is a complex character trapped by her circumstances. Her actions, driven by fear and societal pressures, highlight the intersection of race, class, and gender in the novel.

Miss Maudie Atkinson , a neighbor of the Finches, serves as a voice of reason and moral support for Scout and Jem. She reinforces Atticus’s teachings and provides additional perspective on the events unfolding in Maycomb.

Plot Summary

Introduction to maycomb and the finch family.

The story of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is set in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, a period marked by economic hardship and deep-seated racial tensions. The novel opens with an introduction to the Finch family—Atticus Finch, a lawyer and widower, and his two children, Scout (Jean Louise Finch) and her older brother, Jem. The Finch family lives in a modest home on the main residential street in Maycomb, where they are well-respected due to Atticus’s integrity and position as a lawyer.

Scout, the novel’s narrator, provides a vivid description of her early life in Maycomb. She is a curious and outspoken young girl who spends her days playing with Jem and their friend Dill, who visits Maycomb every summer. The children’s lives are relatively carefree, though their adventures often revolve around their fascination with the Radley house, a mysterious and dilapidated building down the street. The house is inhabited by the reclusive Boo Radley, a figure of local legend who never emerges and is the subject of wild rumors. Scout, Jem, and Dill are both terrified and intrigued by Boo, and they spend considerable time concocting plans to make him come out of his house.

The Incident and Trial

The central conflict of the novel arises when Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a poor white woman. The accusation shocks the town of Maycomb, but it also brings to the surface the deep racial prejudices that permeate the community. Despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to Tom’s innocence, the case is tainted by the racist attitudes of the town’s white population.

Atticus Finch agrees to defend Tom Robinson, despite knowing that his decision will bring social ostracism and threats to himself and his family. Atticus is determined to provide Tom with a fair defense, embodying his principles of justice and equality. However, his decision to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman creates significant tension in Maycomb. Many townspeople turn against Atticus, viewing his defense of Tom as a betrayal of their ingrained social norms. The Finch family becomes a target of scorn, and Scout and Jem have to confront the ugliness of racism in their community firsthand.

Trial Proceedings

The trial of Tom Robinson is the pivotal event in the novel and serves as a powerful exploration of racial injustice. The courtroom scenes are intense, with Harper Lee meticulously detailing the proceedings. During the trial, Atticus presents a compelling case that exposes the inconsistencies in the testimonies of Mayella and her father, Bob Ewell. He demonstrates that Tom could not have committed the crime, given his physical incapacity due to a previous injury, and suggests that Mayella fabricated the story out of guilt and fear of her father.

Despite the clear evidence of Tom’s innocence, the all-white jury convicts him, underscoring the pervasive racism that overrides truth and justice in Maycomb. The trial is a turning point in the novel, not only because it seals Tom’s fate but also because it shatters the idealistic views that Scout and Jem hold about their community. Jem, in particular, is devastated by the verdict, as it contradicts his belief in the fairness of the legal system.

Verdict and Aftermath

The guilty verdict has profound effects on the characters, especially Scout and Jem. Jem becomes disillusioned with the world around him, struggling to reconcile the injustice he has witnessed with his belief in the goodness of people. Scout, while still grappling with the complexities of the situation, begins to understand the harsh realities of the society she lives in.

Tom Robinson’s fate is tragically sealed when he attempts to escape from the prison where he is being held and is shot dead by the guards. His death serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by black men in the South, even when they are innocent. The trial and its aftermath expose the deep flaws in the justice system and the moral failures of the community, themes that resonate throughout the novel.

Climax: The Attack

The novel reaches its climax when Bob Ewell, humiliated by the trial and seeking revenge, attacks Scout and Jem on their way home from a Halloween pageant. Bob’s attack is fueled by a desire to harm Atticus through his children, believing that this will restore his damaged pride. Jem is knocked unconscious, and Scout is trapped in her ham costume, unable to defend herself.

In a surprising turn of events, Boo Radley emerges from his house to save Scout and Jem. He intervenes just in time, killing Bob Ewell in the struggle and carrying the injured Jem back to safety. This act of courage reveals Boo’s true nature, contradicting the monstrous image the children had imagined. Boo Radley is finally humanized, and his actions underscore the novel’s theme of the “mockingbird”—an innocent being who brings only goodness to the world but suffers because of the evil around him.

In the aftermath of the attack, Scout reflects on the lessons she has learned throughout the novel. Her understanding of morality and justice has deepened, influenced by the events she has witnessed and the people she has come to know. Scout’s final interaction with Boo Radley is particularly poignant; she walks him home and, standing on his porch, sees the world from his perspective, just as Atticus had taught her to do.

Scout’s newfound empathy and understanding mark her growth from a naive child to a more morally aware individual. The novel concludes with Scout contemplating the events of the past year and the importance of protecting those who, like the mockingbird, are vulnerable and innocent. The story leaves readers with a powerful message about the importance of compassion, understanding, and the fight against injustice in all its forms.

Themes and Symbolism

Racial injustice.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a profound exploration of racial injustice in the American South during the 1930s. The novel portrays systemic racism as an ingrained and pervasive element of Southern society, manifesting in both overt actions and subtle social norms. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, Harper Lee vividly illustrates how deeply entrenched racism corrupts the legal system and social order. Tom, an innocent black man, is convicted not because of the evidence, but because of his race. The all-white jury’s decision reflects the societal belief in the inferiority of African Americans, and the trial becomes a symbol of the broader racial injustices that black individuals faced daily.

The novel goes beyond the courtroom to show how racism affects every aspect of life in Maycomb. From the casual use of racial slurs to the rigid segregation of black and white communities, the town’s social fabric is woven with discrimination and prejudice. Characters like Bob Ewell embody the basest aspects of this racism, while others, like Atticus Finch, stand as counterpoints, advocating for justice and equality. However, even Atticus’s best efforts cannot overcome the deep-seated racism that defines the town’s identity, highlighting the tragic and enduring nature of racial injustice.

Moral Growth and Empathy

One of the central themes of the novel is the moral growth of the characters, particularly Scout and Jem, as they navigate a world filled with complex ethical dilemmas. At the heart of this moral education is Atticus Finch, who teaches his children the importance of empathy and understanding others. He encourages Scout and Jem to “climb into another person’s skin and walk around in it,” a lesson that resonates throughout the novel as they encounter various forms of prejudice and cruelty.

Atticus himself exemplifies moral courage, taking on Tom Robinson’s defense despite knowing the personal and professional risks involved. His actions teach Scout and Jem that true courage is not about physical bravery, but about standing up for what is right, even when the odds are against you. Through their father’s example, the children learn to challenge societal norms and develop their own sense of right and wrong, marking their transition from innocence to a more mature understanding of the world’s complexities.

The Mockingbird Symbol

The mockingbird is one of the most significant symbols in the novel, representing innocence, goodness, and the unjust harm that can befall those who are vulnerable. The title itself, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” alludes to the idea that causing harm to those who do no wrong is a profound injustice. In the novel, Atticus explains that while it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird because they only bring beauty and joy into the world, it is also a sin to harm innocent people.

Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are the two primary “mockingbirds” of the story. Tom, despite his innocence, is destroyed by the evil and prejudice of society, while Boo, a reclusive figure misunderstood and feared by the town, ultimately reveals his kindness by saving Scout and Jem. The use of the mockingbird as a symbol underscores the novel’s critique of the senseless destruction of innocence by hatred and ignorance. It challenges readers to consider the moral responsibility of protecting those who are vulnerable and marginalized.

Social Class and Inequality

Social class and inequality are also central themes in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” explored through the interactions between different characters and the rigid social hierarchy of Maycomb. The town’s social structure is defined by both race and class, with wealthier white families like the Finches at the top, followed by poorer whites like the Cunninghams and the Ewells, and black families at the very bottom, regardless of their economic status.

The distinctions between these classes are highlighted through the characters’ interactions and the conflicts that arise from them. For example, the Cunninghams, though poor, are depicted as proud and honest, refusing charity and repaying debts in kind. In contrast, the Ewells are shown as morally corrupt, using their race to justify their mistreatment of others, despite their lower social standing.

The novel also explores how these class distinctions intersect with race, particularly in the way Mayella Ewell, a poor white woman, uses her position to falsely accuse Tom Robinson, knowing that her word as a white woman will be valued over his as a black man. This intersection of race and class exposes the complexities of social inequality in Maycomb and challenges the notion that justice is truly blind.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel that intricately weaves together powerful themes, compelling characters, and a gripping plot to deliver a poignant critique of racial injustice, moral growth, and social inequality. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, readers are introduced to a world where the innocence of childhood is confronted by the harsh realities of prejudice and hatred. The novel’s key characters—Scout, Jem, Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley—each play crucial roles in unraveling the narrative, with their stories reflecting broader societal issues. The trial of Tom Robinson serves as the central event that exposes the systemic racism in Maycomb, while the symbolism of the mockingbird underscores the tragedy of harming the innocent. Through these elements, Harper Lee crafts a narrative that not only tells a compelling story but also challenges readers to reflect on their own moral beliefs and the society in which they live.

The enduring relevance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” lies in its ability to speak to universal themes of justice, empathy, and the fight against prejudice. Although the novel is set in the 1930s, its exploration of racial inequality and moral courage continues to resonate in today’s world, where issues of discrimination and social justice remain at the forefront of public discourse. Harper Lee’s portrayal of the complexities of human nature and the challenges of doing what is right in the face of overwhelming societal pressure is as pertinent now as it was when the novel was first published.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee, to kill a mockingbird themes, good and evil.

To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation regarding the inherent goodness or evilness of people. Atticus, father of Scout and Jem, also plays the role of teacher, for his children and his town. Atticus believes that people usually contain aspects of both good and evil, but that good will usually prevail. Atticus teaches this to his children, but also to the town, as he works to defend Tom Robinson , an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. In the racist town of Maycomb in the heart of America's South during the Depression era, this is a Herculean task. Despite the challenge of overcoming the town's deeply ingrained racism and forcing people to change their social perspectives, Atticus struggles on, because he believes that one day, goodness will prevail over the evils of racism and racial equality will exist.

Throughout the book, Scout and Jem make the classic transition from innocence to maturity. Jem leads this change, as he is older than Scout, but both children experience it. At the beginning of the novel, they approach life innocently believing in the goodness of all people, thinking everyone understands and adheres to the same values they and their father do. During Tom Robinson's trial, the children are sorely disappointed when the jury, made up of their fellow townspeople, convicts the obviously innocent Tom Robinson simply because he is a black man and his accuser is white. The realization that there is true evil within their society shakes Jem to the core. He held a strong belief in the goodness of all people, but after the trial must reevaluate his understanding of human nature. The challenge of this struggle causes him great emotional pain as he tries to come to terms with disappointing realities of inequality, racism, and general unfairness. Scout also struggles to understand these things, but even following the trial is able to maintain her belief in the goodness of human nature. At the end of the novel, both children are faced with true evil, as Bob Ewell tries to kill them. True goodness, embodied in Boo Radley , saves them. In this final conflict between these opposing forces, goodness prevails.

Shortly after the novel begins, Scout starts her first year at school. The educational system in Maycomb leaves much to be desired. Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught her script. However, once her teacher discovers this, she punishes Scout and tells her not to learn anything else at home, because her father does not know how to teach her properly. This is the first clear conflict between institutionalized education and education in the home.

Atticus clearly takes great pride in instilling a powerful sense of morality in his children. He truthfully answers whatever questions they ask, and encourages their inquisitive minds by treating them as adults and encouraging them to grow intellectually and morally as much as possible. On the other hand, Scout's teacher has a very specific understanding of what children should learn when, even if this schedule requires holding a child back. For example, when she asks Scout to write during class and Scout writes in script, she chides her and tells her that she should not be doing that for many years, because it isn't taught in school until much later. Scout feels frustrated that her teacher does not understand her and only wants to hold her back.

Scout comes to Atticus with concerns about her education and he helps her understand that she must get an education, even though she might find the process frustrating, and that he will continue to read with her and teach her at home. Clearly, Atticus understands the faults of the educational system, but also knows it is necessary for his children to pass through this system to be a part of society. However, his teaching at home, both morally and otherwise, is far more valuable to his children than anything they learn in the classroom. Scout notices this most obviously when learning about the Holocaust. Her teacher explains that such oppression of one group of people could never happen in the United States and Scout is astonished. She heard Miss Gates outside the court house during Tom Robinson's trial saying that, referring to black people, she thought it was, "time somebody taught them a lesson, they thought they was getting' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us." Scout sees Miss Gates's statement about blacks in clear conflict with her statement about the equality in America.

Scout receives the majority of her education in the home, and doesn't believe school will do much for her. At the end of the novel, she notes that she has learned probably all there is to learn, except maybe algebra. Clearly, Scout understands that life experiences are the true teachers, and that Atticus has taught her more than school ever will. Clearly, Lee is expressing a lack of belief in the institutionalized educational system, and in fact suggests it might do more harm than good. Perhaps a more valuable education can be found in the home.

Social Inequality

Along with struggling with concepts of good and evil, Scout and Jem spend a great deal of time trying to understand what defines and creates social strata. Scout tends to believe that "folks are just folks", while Jem is convinced that social standing is related to how long people's relatives and ancestors have been able to write.

Scout elucidates the town's social strata quite clearly on her first day at school when Walter Cunningham does not have lunch or lunch money. Her classmates ask her to explain to the teacher why Walter won't take a loaned quarter to buy lunch, and she lectures the teacher on the Cunningham's financial situation and how they trade goods for services. Scout and the other children have a very clear understanding of the social inequalities in their town, but see these inequalities as natural and permanent. The Finch family falls rather high up in the social hierarchy, while the Ewell family falls at the bottom. However, this hierarchy only includes white people. Maycomb's black population fall beneath all white families in Maycomb, including the Ewells, whom Atticus labels as "trash".

Scout understands this social structure, but doesn't understand why it is so. She believes that everyone should be treated the same, no matter what family they are from. For instance, when she wants to spend more time with Walter Cunningham, Aunt Alexandra objects saying no Finch girl should ever consort with a Cunningham. Scout is frustrated by this, as she wants to be able to choose her own friends based on her definition of what makes a good person: morality.

The Mockingbird

When Scout and Jem receive airguns for Christmas, Atticus tells them that although he would prefer that they practice their shooting with tin cans, if they must shoot at living things, they must never shoot at mockingbirds. Atticus explains that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Clearly, this is the title scene, but the theme continues throughout the book. Miss Maudie explains why Atticus is correct - mockingbirds never do anyone any harm, and are not pests in any way. All they do is sing beautifully and live peacefully. Therefore, it is a sin to kill them. The mockingbird comes to represent true goodness and purity. Tom Robinson is one example of a human "mockingbird". He stands accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell , but is innocent of the charges. The town commits the ultimate sin by finding him guilty and sentencing him to death. In effect, they have killed a mockingbird. Boo Radley is another example of a human "mockingbird". He has spent his entire life as a prisoner of his own home because his father was overzealous in punishing him for a childhood mistake. Boo Radley observes the world around him, causing no harm to anyone, and then saves Jem and Scout's lives when Bob Ewell attacks. The sheriff determines that Ewell's death will be ruled an accident to avoid forcing Boo to go to trial, even though Boo killed him to protect the children. Atticus agrees, and wants to make sure Scout understands why this little white lie must be told. She replies saying of course she understands, putting Boo on trial and in the public sphere would be like killing a mockingbird. The mockingbird represents true goodness and innocence that should always be protected.

Perspective

Throughout the novel, Atticus urges his children to try to step into other people's shoes to understand how they see the world. Whenever Scout doesn't understand Jem, Atticus encourages her to try to understand how he might be feeling. Usually, Scout finds this advice helpful, and her attempts to gain insight into other people's perspectives on life and the world broaden her moral education and social understanding.

When Mrs. Dubose , the mean old woman who lives down the street from the Finch family yells insults at Jem and Scout on her way to town, Jem reacts by returning and cutting up all the flowers in her front yard. His punishment is to read to Mrs. Dubose for a specified time period every day. He complains to Atticus that she is an awful woman, but Atticus tells Jem and Scout to try to understand Mrs. Dubose's point of view. She is an old woman, very set her in ways, and she is entirely alone in the world. Jem and Scout agree to visit her. After Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus reveals that by reading to her each day, the children were helping her break her morphine addiction. Atticus explains that Mrs. Dubose was fighting to regain sobriety, even as she stood on the brink of death. Because of this, to Atticus, she is the bravest person he has ever known. He explains this to the children to try to make them understand the terrible pain she was experiencing, and how their presence helped her through the process. Although she might have said some horrible things, Atticus encourages the children to try to see the world from her perspective and to understand how brave and strong she was.

At the end of the book, Scout escorts Boo Radley back to his home. After Boo closes the door, she turns around and surveys the neighborhood from his perspective. She imagines how he has witnessed all the happenings of the recent years, including her and Jem running by the house on their way to and from school, her childhood Boo Radley games, Miss Maudie's fire, the incident of the rabid dog, and finally, Bob Ewell's attack. As she steps into Boo's shoes, Scout gains a new respect for his life, and understands that his experience is just as valid as hers. With this understanding, she is humbled.

Obviously, racism is a major theme of the novel. During the Depression era, blacks were still highly subjugated members of society. Blacks were not permitted to commingle with whites in public settings, as exemplified in the courthouse physical separation of races and in the clearly distinct black and white areas of town. Moreover, things like intermarriage were almost unheard of, and sorely looked down upon.

Throughout the novel, Scout explores the differences between black people and white people. She and Jem attend church with Calpurnia and Scout truly enjoys the experience. Afterwards, she asks Calpurnia if she might be able to visit her house sometime because she has never seen it. Calpurnia agrees, but the visit is never made, largely because Aunt Alexandra puts a stop to it. Jem, Scout and Dill also sit with the black citizens of the town in the balcony of the court house to observe the trial. In addition, Scout and Dill have a lengthy conversation with Mr. Raymond, a white man who married a black woman and has mixed children. Mr. Raymond reveals that he pretends to be an alcoholic by carrying around a paper bag with a bottle of Coca-Cola inside in order to let the town excuse his choice to marry a black woman.

Tom Robinson is convicted purely because he is a black man and his accuser is white. The evidence is so powerfully in his favor, that race is clearly the single defining factor in the jury's decision. Atticus fights against racism, and a few other townspeople are on his side, including Miss Maudie and Judge Taylor . Jem and Scout also believe in racial equality, but are obviously in the minority. When Atticus loses the trial, he tries to make his children understand that although he lost, he did help move along the cause of ending racism as evidenced by the jury's lengthy deliberation period. Usually, such a trial would be decided immediately.

Bravery takes many forms in To Kill A Mockingbird . Atticus is brave to defend a black man in the face of criticism and threats of violence. He also is brave in the face of danger, both when he kills the rabid dog with a single shot and when facing the mob of men outside the jailhouse. Atticus urges Scout to be brave and prevent herself from fighting those who criticize her or her family. To Atticus, withholding violence is one of the highest forms of bravery. The children believe themselves to be brave when approaching the Radley house early in the book, but learn later on that this was false bravery, and in fact, silly. Atticus holds up Mrs. Dubose as the ultimate definition of bravery, as she finds against her morphine addiction in order to be free from it before she dies, even when she knows she will die in the process. Atticus, who also fights against a power greater than himself, tells his children they should have great respect for Mrs. Dubose. Finally, Bob Ewell represents the greatest cowardice, as he both lies in the courtroom to protect himself and resorts to attacking children in the darkness in order to make himself feel more of a man.

Atticus is a lawyer, and the book is centered around his representation of Tom Robinson. Although Atticus loses the trial, he believes strongly that despite social inequalities, all men are equal in the courtroom. He includes this information in his closing statements to the jury, and during his later discussions with Jem and Scout regarding jury selection and the trial process, makes this statement again. Atticus believes that progress towards racial equality can and will be made in the courtroom.

In addition, although he believes powerfully in upholding the law, Atticus understands that it must be bent in certain situations. For example, Bob Ewell is permitted to hunt even in the off season because the town authorities know that if he is prevented from hunting, his children might starve. In addition, at the end of the novel, the law would require Boo Radley to be placed on trial to determine whether he killed Bob Ewell is self defense or not. However, Atticus understands, as does Heck Tate and Scout, that Boo should not be forced to experience powerful public attention or criticism. Therefore, it is necessary to bend the law in this case to protect Boo.

To Kill a Mockingbird Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for To Kill a Mockingbird is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Discuss the concept of education.

Shortly after the novel begins, Scout starts her first year at school. The educational system in Maycomb leaves much to be desired. Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught...

How old was Scout when her mother died?

Scout's mother died when she was two years old.

Our mother died when I was two, so I never felt her absence.

Where can I find the literary devices used in each chapter a book?

To find literary devices used in each chapter of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, you can refer to literary analysis guides, study aids, or academic resources that offer chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. Here are a few places where you might...

Study Guide for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee. The To Kill a Mockingbird study guide contains a biography of Harper Lee, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About To Kill a Mockingbird
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Essays for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

• The Impact of Class Structure
• Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Journey Motif in Works of American Literature
• Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird and Goin' Someplace Special
• Character Analysis in To Kill A Mockingbird

Lesson Plan for To Kill a Mockingbird

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Professors share 5 myths students believe about college, how to write a character analysis essay, anxiety among students: what do teachers think about it, dorm overbooking and transitional housing: problems colleges are trying to solve, themes in to kill a mockingbird.

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The following review example can serve as a guide for students trying to find inspiration when writing an assignment on the themes in “To Kill a Mockingbird” .

What is it about “To Kill a Mockingbird” that makes it a literary classic? “To Kill a Mockingbird,” written by Harper Lee and published in 1960, is a timeless literary masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers across generations. This iconic novel delves into a tapestry of profound themes that shed light on the complexities of society, morality, and human nature. Harper Lee, who was just 34 years old when she penned this remarkable work, gifted the world with a narrative that remains as relevant and influential today as it was upon its initial release.

The enduring power of “To Kill a Mockingbird” extends far beyond its pages, as it addresses issues of racial injustice, moral integrity, and the human capacity for empathy. Lee’s portrayal of the American South through the eyes of an independent female protagonist provides a unique perspective not often found in the works of other southern women writers. As we explore the major themes of this novel, we gain valuable insights into the author’s intentions and the profound messages she sought to convey, ensuring that the impact of “To Kill a Mockingbird” will endure for decades to come.

In this article, we will focus attention on the most prominent To Kill a Mockingbird’s themes. 

Racial Prejudice

Racial prejudice takes center stage in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” where the story revolves around the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime in a deeply racist Southern community. The question that looms large is how can a Black man ever expect a fair trial when racial hatred is so ingrained in the community that it’s even taught in schools? And what does a jury of one’s peers look like in such a prejudiced environment? These questions about prejudice, especially racism, lie at the heart of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” giving rise to some of its most compelling and unforgettable moments.

Racial conflict within the story leads to two tragic deaths, highlighting the high stakes of racial tension. On a basic level, the novel portrays a straightforward and moralistic view of racial prejudice: White individuals who hold racist beliefs are depicted as morally wrong, while those who reject racism are seen as virtuous. Atticus Finch, the novel’s moral compass, risks his reputation, his standing in the community, and even his children’s safety because he refuses to embrace racism; he represents the embodiment of goodness. On the other hand, characters like Bob Ewell, who falsely accuses a Black man of rape, publicly humiliates Atticus, and attempts to harm a child, stand as symbols of racism’s malevolence and evil.

However, “To Kill a Mockingbird” also attempts to delve into the complexities of life in a racially prejudiced society. Scout and Jem, Atticus’s children, confront not only the discomfort but also the outright hostility that arises from their family’s opposition to racial prejudice. Their commitment to equality positions them in opposition to the wider community, resulting in conflicts and challenges.

Prejudice is pervasive throughout the novel, with numerous characters displaying varying degrees of bigotry. Many residents of Maycomb harbor racist sentiments and prejudices against Black people. For instance, Tom Robinson is automatically assumed guilty of sexually assaulting Mayella Ewell solely because of his race, despite clear evidence suggesting his innocence. During Tom’s trial, Mr. Gilmer, the prosecuting lawyer, expresses shock when Tom admits to feeling sorry for Mayella. The idea of a Black man sympathizing with a white person is so unthinkable in the community that it seems to seal Tom’s fate.

Atticus, in contrast, champions tolerance and equality, values he hopes to instill in his children, Jem and Scout. However, his sister, Aunt Alexandra, embodies a different mindset. This is evident in her treatment of Calpurnia, a Black woman who helps care for the Finch children. When Aunt Alexandra comes to the Finch house to assist while Atticus is busy with the trial, she instructs Calpurnia to carry her suitcase upstairs, a task Atticus would never ask of her. This disparity in treatment reflects Alexandra’s prejudiced beliefs.

The novel further exposes hypocrisy when Aunt Alexandra hosts a missionary tea attended by Maycomb’s ladies. At this gathering, the ladies express pity for the fictional Mruna tribe in Africa, sympathizing with their perceived hardships. Yet, these same women later condemn the Black people in their own community, revealing the extent of their prejudice. Mrs. Merriweather, one of the ladies, exemplifies this hypocrisy. She can show sympathy for a distant tribe but fails to empathize with the Black citizens of Maycomb, dismissing them as lazy and sulky. Her focus on the Mruna tribe stems from their non-Christian status, as she believes that white missionaries can save their souls by converting them to Christianity and introducing them to the Bible.

Dolphus Raymond provides another perspective on prejudice in Maycomb. He pretends to be continuously drunk to divert attention from his unconventional life choices. Raymond is in a relationship with a Black woman and has mixed-race children, a taboo in the community. Consequently, he and his family are treated as outcasts. As Jem observes about Raymond’s mixed-race children, they are rejected by both Black and white communities. Raymond’s deception about his drinking habits serves as a shield, allowing him to lead his life as he sees fit, even if others find it objectionable.

Racial intolerance, though prominent, is not the sole prejudice explored in the novel. Many residents of Maycomb are depicted as narrow-minded and intolerant of anyone who deviates from their expectations. Boo Radley, a reclusive neighbor who hasn’t been seen outside his house for years, becomes the target of gossip and persecution. Neighbors speculate about his mysterious activities, painting him as a shadowy figure who only ventures out at night. Local rumors even depict Boo as a terrifying monster, perpetuating the cycle of prejudice and intolerance.

In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” courage shines through the actions of various characters. First and foremost, Atticus Finch stands out as a symbol of courage. He demonstrates this quality by agreeing to defend Tom Robinson, fully aware that it will bring trouble to him and his family. Despite the slim chances of winning the case in a deeply prejudiced society, Atticus takes on the challenge. His courage is further evident when he guards Tom Robinson’s prison cell alone, knowing there’s a high risk of a lynch mob attempting to harm Tom. Throughout the novel, Atticus consistently opposes racism and encourages his children to do the same. He emphasizes the importance of not using derogatory language like the N-word, teaching Scout and Jem about the courage it takes to stand up against injustice.

Atticus’s courage extends to his marksmanship when he shoots a rabid dog that poses a threat to the neighborhood. Despite his reputation as “One-Shot Finch” from his youth, he hasn’t handled a gun in 30 years. Taking on the responsibility of eliminating the dangerous dog requires immense bravery. Remarkably, Atticus doesn’t reveal this skill to his children because he wants them to understand that true courage isn’t defined by marksmanship.

Other characters also exhibit acts of courage throughout the novel. Miss Maudie, for instance, displays courage when her house burns down. Instead of wallowing in despair, she remains optimistic and focuses on the opportunity to have a larger garden. Boo Radley, the reclusive neighbor, shows courage when he intervenes to protect Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell’s threats, even though it means leaving the security of his home.

Mrs. Dubose is yet another example of courage. She battles a morphine addiction, determined to break free from it before her death. Unbeknownst to Jem, reading to her aids in her struggle to overcome the addiction. Her decision becomes even more courageous when it’s clear that there’s no immediate need for her to quit the drug, given her terminal illness. Mrs. Dubose’s bravery stems from her personal satisfaction in wanting to be drug-free at the time of her passing. Her battle is a deeply personal one, and most of Maycomb remains unaware of the inner strength it takes for her to face it. Atticus believes that her quiet courage, unseen by many, makes her even braver. He wants Scout and Jem to witness her struggle to understand that courage often involves doing difficult things that others may never comprehend or may even criticize. This prepares them for the bravery they’ll need during Tom Robinson’s trial.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” underscores the idea that standing up for what is right demands both courage and bravery. These traits are exemplified by various characters in the story, while others exhibit cowardice. Atticus, the Finch children, and even Boo Radley exemplify courage and bravery as they stand up for justice and morality, even in the face of danger and adversity.

Justice vs Law

The book conveys the idea that adhering to the law doesn’t always equate to achieving justice. Laws, being human-made, are not without their flaws. Sometimes, strict adherence to the letter of the law doesn’t lead to true justice. Atticus comes to understand that doing what is right and just may require going beyond the confines of the legal system. Laws, he realizes, are shaped by society’s values, even when those values are rooted in hatred and prejudice. This is starkly evident in the case of Tom Robinson, where his innocence is glaringly apparent to those willing to see the facts. Yet, the deep-seated prejudice within the justice system prevents the delivery of true justice.

While the trial of Tom Robinson occupies only a small portion of the book, it serves as the focal point around which the rest of the narrative revolves. This trial serves as a critique of the legal system, particularly as it functions within the town of Maycomb. Procedurally, the trial follows the rules. The judge oversees the proceedings, the lawyers present their cases, and the jury is selected in the usual manner. However, the all-white jury’s decision doesn’t align with the evidence or the law; instead, it reflects their own biases. Tom Robinson’s unjust verdict underscores the limitations of the legal system, prompting readers to question the fairness of a “fair trial.”

Atticus, while acknowledging the flaws in the legal system, maintains his faith in due process. Simultaneously, he believes that the law should be applied differently based on an individual’s circumstances. He explains to Scout that while she enjoys a privileged life with ample opportunities, others face far greater challenges and fewer prospects. In certain situations, he suggests it’s just to allow these individuals some leeway in breaking the law to prevent them from being unduly harmed by its rigid enforcement.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout , a precocious six-year-old, over the course of three years as she begins to grow, and in the process, bears witness to the trial of Tom Robinson , a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. As a child, Scout has set ideas regarding what’s good and what’s evil, but throughout the novel, her father, Atticus , gradually begins to encourage her to see that the world isn’t divided into good people and bad people. Rather, he suggests to her that all people are composed of a mix of good and bad qualities, but regardless, everyone is deserving of being treated with dignity and respect.

At first, Scout and her brother, Jem , hold very black and white views of what’s good and what’s evil. They believe that most of the people in Maycomb are good, as is the law. But in their eyes, the Radley family down the street (and specifically the youngest adult son, Arthur Radley ) is evil—as is their elderly neighbor in the other direction, Mrs. Dubose . However, this ignores or contradicts over some of Scout’s more nuanced observations, such as the fact that Miss Stephanie , a good Maycomb lady by many standards, is a horrible gossip and nobody should believe what she says. Yet, Scout lumps Miss Stephanie in with Maycomb at large as a good part of her life. Meanwhile, there’s little real evidence that Arthur Radley, whom the children call Boo, is a bad person. In fact, there’s little evidence that he exists at all—Scout and Jem believe that Boo is evil because of childish neighborhood rumors that Boo survives on cats and squirrels and spends his evenings peeping into people’s windows. In other words, Scout’s world is clearly more complex than strict terms of good and evil, even if she doesn’t have the maturity to fully recognize this.

Through Tom Robinson’s trial, Scout has a number of opportunities to begin to question her initial assumptions about whether people are good or bad, and Atticus’s behavior impresses upon her that one of the best things a person can do is help another person maintain their dignity, which he does by defending Robinson. It’s confusing for Scout when she hears peers, extended family, and even adults in town—many of whom previously fell into her “good” category—take issue with Atticus’s defense of Robinson, defense that she understands that Robinson is entitled to under the law. Because of this, Scout has to grapple with the fact that people despise Atticus for doing his job, which begins to suggest that the people of Maycomb aren’t as overwhelmingly good as Scout initially thought. Indeed, many of them are extremely racist, and while they may treat their white neighbors kindly and with compassion, it’s unthinkable for many of them to extend that kind of generosity to their black neighbors or employees.

As Scout comes to understand that her town and neighborhood aren’t as good as she initially thought, she also has several opportunities to discover that seemingly evil villains in her life are actually not as villainous as she once believed. Though Mrs. Dubose is a foul woman who hurls insults, slurs, and other abuse at every member of the Finch family, including Jem and Scout, she also grows beautiful camellias of which she is very proud, a small quirk that humanizes her to the reader, if not to the children. Further, Atticus shares after her death that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who, in attempt to die free and with dignity, broke herself of her addiction in the weeks before her death. While this doesn’t substantially change how Jem and Scout view Mrs. Dubose, as they remain fixated on the awful way she treated them and Atticus, Atticus makes the point that every person, no matter how unsavory they may seem, has their own sense of dignity that his children—and for that matter, the reader—should make every effort to recognize and respect. Similarly, Arthur Radley makes a dramatic leap in Scout’s mind from a nefarious presence to the reason she’s alive when, a few months after Robinson’s trial, he kills Mr. Ewell (the man who accused Robinson of raping his daughter Mayella ) in defense of Scout and Jem, whom Mr. Ewell tries to murder on their way home from a Halloween pageant. While the particulars of events that night raise a number of questions about morality, as Arthur does murder Mr. Ewell, both the adults and Scout choose to focus on the fact that what Arthur did was something that saved the lives of Jem and Scout. It’s possible that he also saved the lives of Mr. Ewell’s abused children and preserved some sense of safety in the town by removing its most dangerous resident. This situates Arthur as one of the novel’s “ mockingbirds ,” in that he helps and even puts himself in danger for others despite the wider world’s cruelty toward him.

Possibly more importantly than the novel’s exploration of the nuances of adult characters, however, is its portrayal of Scout herself as a morally complex individual. While not maliciously racist, Scout still parrots racist slurs and beliefs that she hears others espouse, even in the midst of Robinson’s trial—at one point, she tries to comfort Dill , who’s upset by the prosecution’s racist treatment of Robinson, with the assertion that Robinson is “just a Negro,” and therefore it’s not worth getting too upset over his treatment, as it’s just the way things are. However, she does begin to question this and other thoughts and behaviors of her past, most notably when she begins to feel guilty for the way that she, Jem, and Dill surely tormented Arthur Radley for years. In this way, the novel proposes that everyone, no matter how seemingly good or seemingly bad, is nuanced and contains both good and evil—and most importantly, that through exposure, time, and maturity, it’s possible to become increasingly better. 

Good, Evil, and Human Dignity ThemeTracker

Good, Evil, and Human Dignity Quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird

“There's some folks who don't eat like us," she whispered fiercely, "but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” “He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham—“ “Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty!”

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.”

“There are just some kind of men who—who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.”

“If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?”

“For a number of reasons,” said Atticus. “The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”

"Atticus, are we going to win it?"

“No, honey.”

“Then why—”

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said.

“Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.

“Your father's right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

“The one that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

Lula stopped, but she said, “You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here—they got their church, we got our'n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?”

When I looked down the pathway again, Lula was gone. In her place was a solid mass of colored people.

One of them stepped from the crowd. It was Zeebo, the garbage collector. “Mister Jem,” he said, “we're mighty glad to have you all here. Don't pay no 'tention to Lula, she's contentious because Reverend Sykes threatened to church her. She's a troublemaker from way back, got fancy ideas an' haughty ways—we're mighty glad to have you all.”

Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was.

“If you had a clear conscience, why were you scared?”

“Like I says before, it weren't safe for any nigger to be in a—fix like that.”

“But you weren't in a fix—you testified that you were resisting Miss Ewell. Were you so scared that she'd hurt you, you ran, a big buck like you?”

“No suh, I's scared I'd be in court, just like I am now.”

“Scared of arrest, scared you'd have to face up to what you did?”

“No suh, scared I'd hafta face up to what I didn't do.”

“The way that man called him 'boy' all the time an' sneered at him, an' looked around at the jury every time he answered— … It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that—it just makes me sick.”

“They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep.”

[Jem] was certainly never cruel to animals, but I had never known his charity to embrace the insect world.

“Why couldn't I mash him?” I asked.

“Because they don't bother you,” Jem answered in the darkness. He had turned out his reading light.

Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.

A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging a fishing-pole behind him. A man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange little drama of their own invention.

It was fall, and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose's [...] Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day's woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive.

Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog.

Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him.

Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.

“When they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things…Atticus, he was real nice…” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.

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Courage in to Kill a Mockingbird

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Published: Mar 5, 2024

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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Suggested Essay Topics

Chapter 1 1. Describe Boo Radley, through the eyes of Jem and Scout Finch. Discuss his habits, his appearance, and his actions.

2. After defining the words “Caste” and “Class,” describe the caste and class system in Maycomb. Do you think such a system would still exist in the town today? Why, or why not?

Chapter 2 1. Contrast the teaching styles of Atticus Finch and Miss Caroline Fisher.

2. Describe the outward appearance and the actions of Miss Caroline. Are there any contradictions between the two?

Chapter 3 1. Contrast Atticus Finch’s idea of the law and Mr. Radley’s idea of the law.

2. Compare and contrast Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell.

Chapter 4 1. What evidence does one have that Boo Radley is trying to make friends with the children?

2. How is Scout growing and maturing as the story progresses?

Chapter 5 1. Explain why Miss Maudie Atkinson would be a good friend for a young, motherless girl to have.

2. What lessons did Atticus Finch try to teach the children when he found them using a fishing line to give a message to Arthur Radley?

Chapter 6 1. Why did Jem return for his pants?

2. Why were the children going to spy on Arthur Radley on the last night of summer?

Chapter 7 1. What were the six gifts placed in the tree? Why do you think those gifts were chosen?

2. What are the children beginning to think of Boo as a person?

Chapter 8 1. Describe Miss Maudie’s reactions to her home burning. Tell why she was able to behave in this way.

2. Describe the colors of the snowman/woman. Tell how the colors relate to Maycomb. Describe the outward appearance of the snow person and how it changes. Describe the interior of the snow person. Is there symbolism relating to gender bias here? Why, or why not?

Chapter 9 1. Compare and contrast Atticus and Jack. Consider their methods of disciplining Scout. How are they the same? How are they different? Which person do you think is more effective in getting the desired result? Why do you believe this is true?

2. Describe the outward pressures on Scout to “become a lady.” Do you think Atticus applies the same pressures? Why, or why not? Why do you think Atticus behaves in this way?

Chapter 10 1. Atticus had many accomplishments. What were some of these? Jem and Scout did not recognize their father’s accomplishments, they wanted him to distinguish himself in other ways. When Atticus killed the dog, Jem decided to keep this silent. Why do you think this happened?

2. Contrast marksmanship with playing the piano, according to Miss Maudie. Explain why Atticus refused to hunt.

Chapter 11 1. Describe Mrs. Dubose. Describe her home. Does the setting in which Mrs. Dubose lives seem suited to her personality? Explain.

2. According to Atticus, what is real courage? Give examples of real courage you have seen in To Kill a Mockingbird .

Chapter 12 1. Describe the double life that Calpurnia leads. Why does she lead this double life?

2. Compare and contrast the church service in Calpurnia’s church with a church service in Jem and Scout’s church. Why do the differences occur? Do you think the church services in the two churches will become more alike or more different as time goes by? Why?

Chapter 13 1. Compare and contrast Scout’s and Alexandra’s definitions of “a fine person.”

2. Both Jem and Atticus tell Scout that it is not time to worry. What does this tell you about the speakers?

Chapter 14 1. Compare Dill’s fictional and factual accounts of running away.

2. What evidence do you see that Jem is growing up? What evidence do you see that Jem is not yet an adult?

Chapter 15 1. Compare and contrast the events of the Saturday night and the events of Sunday evening.

2. Discuss the bravery of the children, especially in contrast to the cowardly mob.

Chapter 16 1. Describe Judge Taylor. What do you think was unusual about him? What kind of courtroom did he run?

2. Describe the day of the trial in Maycomb. Is there another event in a small town to which the event could be likened? Why do you think so many people attended?

Ch apter 17 1. Describe the Ewell home. Compare it and contrast it to the home in which Scout and Jem had grown up in Maycomb.

2. Why did Jem think Tom would be found innocent? Why was Scout more hesitant to believe that way?

Chapter 18 1. Is Mayella telling the truth or is she lying? What does she say and do in court that makes you feel this way?

2. Describe Atticus’ behavior in court toward Mayella. How do you think he feels about her and what she says?

Chapter 19 1. Contrast and compare the style of Atticus’ and Gilmer’s cross-examinations.

2. Compare and contrast Mayella’s and Tom’s style of answering questions and compare their testimonies. How are they alike? How are they different?

Chapter 20 1. Give a of Atticus’s final speech to the jury. Why do you think that he loosened his clothing and removed his coat before he began?

2. Describe Atticus’s view of lies and immorality. Do you think his view is typical of most of Maycomb society? Why, or why not?

3. What was the unwritten social code that Mayella broke? Are there unwritten social codes that Atticus himself has in his life?

Chapter 21 1. Describe Atticus’ actions after the trial. What was the significance of each action?

2. What impressions did Scout have as she waited for the decision?

Chapter 22 1. How did many people show their appreciation to Atticus? What does Atticus say and do when he sees their response to him?

2. What did Miss Maudie do for the children to make them feel better the morning after the trial? What did she say to them that made them feel better? Do you think she believed what she told them? Why do you believe this way?

Chapter 23 1. What were the four kinds of people in the world according to Jem? According to Jem’s grouping system, where would Little Chuck Little who helped calm Miss Caroline when she saw the cootie be placed? Do you agree with Jem that the Finch family in Maycomb was in a different group than the Ewell family? Why?

2. Mr. Ewell spat in Atticus’s face. What were some reasons Atticus did not fight back? Which man had greater courage?

Chapter 24 1. Aunt Alexandra is trying to teach Scout to be a lady. From what went on at the meeting, what is a lady, according to Miss Maudie’s example? according to Aunt Alexandra’s example? according to Scout’s thoughts?

2. What is a missionary circle? Describe the women’s missionary meeting. Is there any irony evident at the meeting? Explain.

Chapter 25 1. Tell about Mr. Underwood’s editorial. To what does he compare Tom? Is this a good analogy? Why?

2. Compare and contrast the Robinson Place with the Radley Place. Do ghosts exist at both places? Explain.

Chapter 26 1. Why did Miss Gates use current events in her class? Knowing what Miss Gates said on the courthouse steps, are there any inconsistencies in what she says in the classroom and what she does and says outside the class? How is this similar or different from Atticus?

2. Compare a democracy and a dictatorship. How are they different?

Chapter 27 1. Why was Robert Ewell bitter, according to Atticus? How did he show his bitterness?

2. Compare and contrast the break-in on the Barber sisters’ house and the attempted break-in on Judge Taylor’s house.

3. Describe in detail Scout’s costume for the pageant.

Chapter 28 1. Describe the Maycomb Halloween celebration.

2. What events contributed most to the confrontation that occurs after the celebration?

Chapter 29 1. Describe what happened after the children arrive home. Why did Boo decide to stay at the Finch home instead of sneaking back home? What feelings do you think Boo was experiencing?

2. Describe Boo Radley. Compare and contrast his true description with the description that the children held of him in Part One.

3. In Part One Scout called Arthur Radley, “Boo.” Miss Maudie tells her to call him, “Arthur.” She thinks of him as Mr. Arthur on her way home from third grade. When she sees him for the first time, she calls him, “Boo.” What is the significance of each of these names?

Chapter 30 1. Tell Atticus’s story of the murder and what he thought should be done.

2. What did Sheriff Tate want to do about the murder and why?

Chapter 31 1. What could be seen from Arthur’s porch?

2. Are there indications in the chapter that Boo is sick and will die?

Cite this page as follows:

"To Kill a Mockingbird - Suggested Essay Topics." MAXnotes to To Kill a Mockingbird, edited by Dr. M. Fogiel, Research and Education Association, Inc., 2000, 7 Sep. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/teaching-guide/suggested-essay-topics>

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To Kill a Mockingbird Theme Essay

To Kill A Mockingbird Themes

Forty million is an unfathomably large number. Forty million also happens to be the approximate number of copies of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird sold since its release. This novel contains fictional events with parallels to real life in order to draw readers into it and make them care. Not only is it an American classic, but it is also loved by current high school students across the nation. This novel should be kept in the IB English curriculum due to its high readability, important themes, and relevance in today’s society. To Kill A Mockingbird’s high readability assists students’ understandings of the novel and encourages them to participate in class discussions. The novel is written mostly in modern English, but saying that the words that Lee uses are simple would almost be an insult to her. Lee uses language that is easy to understand in order to convey complex themes, but this act does not diminish the novel’s literary quality. Lee spells some words phonetically in order to highlight different dialects, such as Calpurnia’s colloquialisms. However, there are very few of those instances and it is not difficult to understand…

Author: Harper Lee Title: To Kill a Mockingbird Reading Level: 8-12 (790L) Sophistication Level: 11 To Kill a Mockingbird is an American literary classic, published in 1960. The story takes place between the years of 1933 through 1935, during the Great Depression era. It takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama and tells the story of Scout Finch and her father Atticus, who is a widowed lawyer. Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill are all captivated and simultaneously…

Themes In To Kill A Mockingbird

To kill a mockingbird , by harper Lee develops a bird motif throughout the novel with different characters who are symbols of the mockingbird, which means innocence . The bird motif helps us explore how The innocence of certain characters are killed by the values of a small town in U.S south . A demonstration of those events are portrayed by certain individuals First Tom Robinson is a young black man who is wrongly accused of a crime.Furthermore Boo Radley the talk of the town ,lastly Scout…

To Kill A Mockingbird Theme

Theme of To Kill a Mockingbird “Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Harper Lee). Even though Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960 it still remains a timeless classic to this day. During this time in the United States of America the Civil Rights movement for all people was in full swing. Lee’s novel is set a small town called Maycomb in state of Alabama in the 1930’s through the eyes of a little girl.…

Themes Of To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lee gives many life themes that all are life lessons for the reader and Scout the main character. Throughout the book many themes are shown but two that really stick out to me were compassion and courage. These themes stick out because when reading about Scout growing up we see her develop into a more compassionate and courageous person in the way she acts and presents herself. Furthermore, these themes serve great life lessons for the reader and help them…

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, she explores a diversity of themes, through a child’s point of view. To Kill a Mockingbird is about a young girl, who goes by the name of Scout, growing up in a difficult society. She lives in Maycomb County, Alabama, during the early 1930s, and the Great Depression. One of the several themes that Lee explores in this novel is the issue of racism. Throughout the novel, the reader is able to observe Scout’s maturity, and change of…

One of the themes of To Kill A Mockingbird is “You never truly understand a man until you climb into his skin and walk around in it (pg.39)”. I believe this theme shows itself in both the novel, and in the world today. One example would be what everyone said about Boo Radley. The children believe he is a killer who eats raw animals and stabbed his own father in the leg and peeks in there windows at night. But he is actually a kind, shy man. Another example would be the lies that Bob Ewell tells…

Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, depicts different themes and topics that are still important and relevant to today’s society. To Kill a Mockingbird has themes such as prejudice, growing up, and bravery and uses those topics to teach humanity a variety of lessons. Boo Radley and Tom Robinson both face extreme prejudice; one has been forced to be a shut in ever since he was young and another got sent to Death simply for his skin while Scout and Jem show their gradual loss of…

What Is The Theme Of To Kill A Mockingbird

Considered one of the greatest pieces of literature in history, To Kill a Mockingbird won several prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize Award. The mastermind of this masterpiece, Harper Lee, is praised as one of the best American authors in the history of literature. Throughout her book, Harper Lee exposed many injustice that she had witnessed in her childhood. Lee expresses various underlying themes throughout the book through the masterful use of dialogue and narration. Some of the…

The Theme Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the theme of the mockingbird to describe innocence and only helping others. Although this novel’s theme is mainly about racial discrimination, the theme of innocence is just as prevalent. Harper Lee displays the theme of innocence through Tom Robinson, an African American falsely convicted of rape, and compares him to a mockingbird, an innocent songbird that helps humans by delivering joy. Another character Harper Lee compares to a…

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