To Kill A Mockingbird Theme Essay

In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem grows from a little boy to an intelligent young man. Throughout the book, he discerns many things that shape his personality. As Jem grows, he learns how bad society is and that not everyone is perfect. Fortunately for Jem, this ends up helping him and he finds out that Atticus is a hero and that he should look up to Atticus. Through Atticus and the trial, Jem loses his innocence by learning about prejudice, bravery, and that the justice system is crippled.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the stealing of innocence. It’s the most heinous crime, and certainly a capital crime if there ever was one.”(Clint Eastwood) In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, this quote reigns true for many reasons. The book starts as a family and friend oriented community, but its true colors show when Atticus Finch takes on a black mans trial. Tempers flare throughout the county and many people end up getting hurt; physically or emotionally. This only proves that the spread of evilness can diminish any bit of innocence left in a persons mind. In TKAM, this is expressed when Jem felt sick to his stomach as he heard the guilty verdict. Also, when Scout couldn’t understand why Miss Caroline would request her to stop learning out of school. Another incident occurred when Dill ran out of the courthouse, crying in shock. Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a novel that does a good job of showing how innocence can be destroyed by the display of evil.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem, Scout, and Dill’s innocence is destroyed. They lose their carefree and happy existence through the ignorance and racism in their hometown of Maycomb. Initially, the children believe everyone in Maycomb is friendly. They do not understand the racism occurring in their town until Tom Robinson’s trial. After observing the Tom Robinson trial, the children’s view of some of the citizens in their town change because of the hatred against blacks and the obvious injustice in the courtroom. Robinson is a black man convicted of raping a white girl and despite the evidences being on Robinson’s side, he is found guilty and is sentenced to prison. The trial causes Scout, Jem, and Dill to witness discrimination,

“You’re just a girl.” This quote speaks volumes to my work topic. Many events in this novel had standout innocent moments for 3 characters. When Scout was hearing noises and thought it was Boo. When Jem cries because Tom was convicted of rape. Lastly, when Tom was killed and people were commenting on his death. Harper Lee symbolizes innocence as something monumental in this novel. Innocence is a big part of daily life throughout To Kill A Mockingbird.

The major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the loss of innocence. Not only do Scout and Jem lose their innocence, but other characters do as well. Scout and Jem grow up throughout the book, as they are exposed to the realities of racism, hatred and child abuse. They witness racism in the Tom Robinson case when Mayella Ewell claims he took advantage of her, when it was really Bob Ewell that did it. The court voted Tom Robinson guilty because he was African American, and most of the town would have been furious if a white man was convicted over a black man. Jem especially is upset with the ruling and “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. ‘It ain’t right,’ he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting,” (Lee, 242).

Mockingbird, a southern novel, Harper Lee uses the characterization of Atticus and Boo Radley. Lee also uses the symbolism of the mockingbird in her book. Both the characters and the symbolism show that innocence should be defended rather than attacked.

In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee there is a reoccurring theme that repeats itself many times. Atticus tells his children, "...it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." This is the reoccurring theme because there are many different characters that can connect with the metaphor. There are many characters throughout the book that can be classified as the mockingbird, but only three main character have a perfect fit. Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson are all portrayed as the mockingbird for many reasons that are all different to each other.

Mockingbirds are a symbol of innocence, because they don’t harm anyone and only create music for people to enjoy. A central idea in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, or to harm the innocent. The book is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s, narrated by the main character Jean Louise “Scout” Finch as an adult, looking back on her childhood. Many characters in the book can be represented by the mockingbird, facing racism, injustice, or prejudice despite their innocence. However, the most innocent mockingbird in the novel is Arthur “Boo” Radley because he is gentle and kind, giving gifts to Scout and her brother Jem, saving the children when they were attacked by Bob Ewell, and was ostracized

Mockingbirds are said to be one of the most innocent animals in the world. Although Harper Lee used many instances throughout the novel of mockingbirds being stripped of their innocence. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird the theme of innocence is taken away from certain characters just like a mockingbird being killed. Firstly, Boo Radley was accused of being a crazy man who is never seen. Secondly, Mrs. Maudie had her house get burned down to the ground. Finally, Tom Robinson was accused of sexually assaulting because of his race.

Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout 's perception of courage drastically changes their behavior as they mature. They learn a lot about courage throughout the novel from their father Atticus and what they learn from him influences their choices and opinions. Although Jem is older than Scout, they both experience change in their behavior. At the beginning of the novel, Jem is still a young boy. He is defiant towards Atticus, he plays all the usual childhood games with Scout and Dill, and he engages in the younger children’s obsession with Boo Radley. As the novel progresses, Jem becomes less defiant and more understanding of adults. Jem witnesses the physical and moral courage of his father before and during the trial of

Harper Lee moved America with her many themes in her award winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. One of her most common themes incorporated in her novel is innocence. In her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays innocence by the way the children of Maycomb not understanding or acting certain ways during specific events.

As Nelson Mandela wisely said “ I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” The story centers around the Finch family and the lessons that both Jem and Scout Finch learn as their father defends a black man accused of rape. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, we see the idea of true courage reflected in Jem Finch’s journey. With her words, Harper Lee paints a picture of what true courage as it is, and Jem Finch takes this lesson to heart as he sees examples of true courage in his life.

In, the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there were many themes that were supported in the novel. Harper Lee gave many general themes that were shown throughout the chapters of the novel. Atticus, who is one of the main characters of the novel input the aspect

The theme of “To kill a MockingBird” by Lee is Justice. Throughout the story most of the town think that every black person is guilty and by the end they think they’re innocent. The theme of justice is displayed throughout “To kill a MockingBird” by Lee such

This is a phenomenal book, which has received a great deal of praise over the years. Only a book as great as this one can have so many different themes that are all entangled into each other, but still make sense. The child-like innocence is strong in this novel. A child in a candy store looking as though there is no better place in the world. Justice for those who deserve it, almost all around. But the perspective of the child-view as opposed to an adult really brings out a good feeling through this read. Although To Kill a Mockingbird may have many themes the themes that stand out the most are innocence, which gives the book a very loving feel; justice vs injustice, which creates an air of real life; and perspective, which enables the reader to see the story from a child’s point of view.