To Kill a Mockingbird †Critical Response - 946 Words

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a novel cleverly written by Harper Lee to depict the prejudicial, discriminative and racist attitudes of white society in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Maycomb at first glance seems to be a warm and gentle place. However, as the novel progresses, the backdrop of slavery, racism and poverty as a result of the Great Depression becomes prevalent. Lee explores various themes such as the symbol of the mocking bird as a metaphor for innocence , social justice issues such as racism and prejudice and the everyday attitudes of people living in small Deep South towns such as Maycomb. She successfully uses a variety of language techniques including irony, satire, humour and the use of metaphors and colloquial language†¦show more content†¦However, perhaps the most central theme is the importance of the title â€Å"To kill a mockingbird†. This concept, the senseless persecution of an innocent individual, is used to describe Tom Robinson’s court case. Mocking birds sing for people’s enjoyment, do no harm to the community and are a symbol of purity and innocence. Tom Robinson is perceived as a mockingbird when he is wrongly convicted over the rape of Mayella Ewell because of the prejudices of white society. Lee uses the repetition of the words â€Å"guilty...guilty....guilty† to emphasise the condem nation of an innocent man, or in a metaphorical sense, the killing of a mocking bird. Boo Radley may also be seen as a mocking bird. In the beginning of the novel, he is perceived as a dangerous, manic individual by the townsfolk only because of his mysterious persona (Boo rarely ventures out of the Radley House), though he had committed no crime. However, after Boo leaves gifts in a hole in a tree, puts a blanket over scout when she is standing in the cold and ultimately, saves Scouts life when Bob Ewell tries to kill her to seek revenge for the demoralisation of his family, during the court case, Jem and Scout realise that he is actually a harmless, kind, individual. Again, we see how an innocent man can be discriminated against by prejudice borne from ignorance. In conclusion, Harper Lee has achieved her purpose in making us think about the way we treat others and the effects that ourShow MoreRelatedHarper Lee862 Words   |  4 PagesAshley Ewing Dr. Cohoon Literary Heritage 18 February 2013 Essay One Southern Parallels: An Exploration of the Life of Harper Lee and the Lasting Impact of To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee is considered one of America’s most enigmatic and influential writers of the twentieth century. Lee’s popular novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, offers readers deep insight into the dynamics of an unconventional family and Southern lifestyle in the1930s. Harper Lee was born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, inRead MoreThe Common Core State Standard For Language Arts3444 Words   |  14 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird: Modern Day Parallels, Evolution of Compassion, and Guide to Leadership The Common Core State Standard for Language Arts, which is the current standards observed by North Carolina, determines the particular proficiency students need in order to be prepared for their academic and professional futures according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. 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