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Literary Criticism Of To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Analysis There is an abundant amount of fear and wondering about the unknown in the world. A prime example of this idea is in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This modern classic is set during the Great Depression in the small-town of Maycomb County. Everyone knows each other and gossip disperses among the town rapidly. The protagonist, Scout Finch, a young tomboy who grows up in a town full of fear matures as the story progresses and learns how to manoeuvre through a frightening society. The Finch family triumphs countless misfortunes that involve discovering the unknown. The theme of fear of the unknown which leads to ignorance in To Kill a Mockingbird is shown through character interactions among the town. The novel shows a great deal of childish fears. This ignorance drives the plot and shows how the characters grow. One of the main characters, Boo Radley, acted as the feared man on the street because nobody knew much about him. For instance, “Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. Any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work” (Lee 9). Scout recalls Boo with a negative connotation, claiming he is nearly a criminal. Much like the rest of the children in Maycomb, she judges Boo without

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