to kill a mockingbird social issues essay

• Black Voices
• Female Voices
• LGBTQ Voices
• Diverse Voices
• Author Interviews
• Bookstr Talks
• Second Chapter
• Featured Authors

Thematically Rich and Innovative Books by Argentinian Authors

Julie Simmons: How To Make Spectacular Characters in an Alaskan Tale

Mangaka Chihiro Howe Talks the Magic of Being a Storyteller

We’re Giving the Well-Deserved Spotlight to Shayla Lawson and Their Books 

• On This Day
• Bookspot / Libraries
• Bookstagram
• Bookish Memes
• Bookish Trends
• Favorite Quotes

NaNoWriMo’s Shocking Take on AI and the Community’s Response

It’s Here: Bookstr’s Fall Fantasy Spotlight

How to Discover School Texts That Won’t Break the Bank

Remarkable Videogame Characters with Unforgettable and Compelling Stories

• Comics & Graphic Novels
• Just For Fun
• Adaptations

Beetlejuice Is Back In Theaters Today – Watch Now!

Blood on Snow: A Crime Thriller Set for the Big Screen

Which One Piece Pirate Captain Are You?

Which Spider-Man Villain Are You?

• Food & Wine
• Art and Music
• Partner Articles

Buddhism and Science: The Integration of Eastern and Western Spirituality

The Ultimate Guide to Actually Getting Stuff Done

8 Cool Public Libraries That Will Make Your Jaw Drop

• Young Readers
• Science Fiction
• Poetry & Drama
• Thriller & Mystery
• Young Adult
• Three To Read
• Female Authors

Bookstr’s Sinful Villains We Love: Who Has Heart Vs. Who’s Heartlessly Hopeless

For the love of books

The Social Impact Of To Kill A Mockingbird

On this day in 1960, Harper Lee published “To Kill a Mockingbird.” By tackling racial injustice and social inequality, Lee’s classic remains relevant today.

On July 11th, 1960, Nelle Harper Lee published her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird . Today, 66 years later, To Kill a Mockingbird is still a staple of classic American literature. From high school classrooms to casual readers’ bookshelves, Lee’s authentic depiction of the Jim Crow South during the Great Depression has caught our attention for over half a century.

Harper Lee’s Career

In the mid-1950s, Lee moved from her small hometown of Monroeville, Alabama to New York City to pursue her writing career. There, her childhood friend Truman Capote had already found success in major literary circles. For Christmas in 1956, Lee’s close friends Michael and Joy Brown offered her a check for a year’s salary. With her financial burden lifted, along with the help and advice from Capote, Lee quit her day job and began writing full-time.

Shortly after, Lee had a finished manuscript, which she titled Go Set a Watchman. She sold it to the publisher J.B. Lippincott and Company for $1,000, under the contingency that she change the story to include more flashback scenes from her own childhood. Over the next two years, Lee spent every waking moment revising her novel, which included changing the title to To Kill a Mockingbird and dropping her first name from the cover to avoid mispronunciation.

To Kill a Mockingbird became an immediate success, going on to sell more than 40 million copies worldwide. A year after its publication, Lee’s novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961. In 1962, To Kill a Mockingbird was released as a film , helping actor Gregory Peck to win an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus.

Even after Lee’s success, this famously private author did not come out with another novel for 55 years. In 2015, HarperCollins published the salvaged manuscript for Go Set a Watchman . Set 20 years after the time period in To Kill a Mockingbird , Go Set a Watchman received mixed reviews, and many critics doubted that Lee wanted the manuscript published in the first place. Despite this, the book sold 1.1 million copies in its first week. The following year, in 2016, Lee died in her hometown of Monroeville at the age of 89.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Set in Maycomb, a small Alabama town similar to the town Lee grew up in, To Kill a Mockingbird tackles themes of racial injustice, social inequality, and good versus evil. Told through the young eyes of Jean Louise Finch, otherwise known as Scout, this coming-of-age novel encircles the lives of many memorable characters. As Scout matures into adolescence, her life changes drastically. Instead of spending her summer playing games with her older brother, Jem, Scout must deal with the aftermath of her lawyer father, Atticus Finch, defending a black man accused of raping a white woman.

Beyond these characters, we meet Boo Radley, a mysterious recluse, and Calpurnia, the Finches’ African-American cook who serves as the children’s bridge between the white and black communities. In the face of prejudice and racism, Scout discovers the tragic consequences of making someone a feared “other.”

Unfortunately, there are themes in To Kill a Mockingbird that ring true today. Even as we attempt to become a more equal, loving society, Lee’s experiences in the 1930s too often mirror our modern experiences. Because of this, To Kill a Mockingbird is still a relevant classic that will remain on bookshelves for years to come.

Racial Injustice

Atticus Finch’s defense of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, is the driving point of the novel. But even with sufficient evidence to prove Robinson’s innocence, he is convicted, imprisoned, and later killed. Scout and Jem suffer from the effects of this trial, as well. They are bullied in school by racist classmates and ridiculed as societal outcasts. And the worst part? Scout is too young to grasp this hate-inspired judgement.

I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks. Scout, To Kill a Mockingbird

Even today, we still see racial disparity in our justice system. The United States criminal justice system is the largest in the world. At the end of 2015, over 6.7 million individuals were under some form of correctional control in the United States. 2.2 million of these individuals were incarcerated in federal, state, or local prisons and jails.

These huge statistics help to mask the racial disparity in the criminal justice system, especially for African-Americans. African-Americans are more likely than whites to be arrested. Once arrested, they are more likely to be convicted and, once convicted, they are more likely to receive lengthy prison sentences. Statistics show that African-American adults are 5.9 times more likely to be incarcerated than whites. As of 2001, one of every three black boys could expect to go to prison in his lifetime, compared to one in seventeen white boys.

These statistics are jarring and devastating. But books have the power to change minds, teach empathy, and show support for those in need. Although To Kill a Mockingbird is 66 years old, Tom Robinson’s story is still very much alive. By continuing to teach this novel in high school classrooms, we can ensure that we are teaching the next generation of law enforcement how to make a positive difference in the justice system. We still have a long way to go, and To Kill a Mockingbird is only one resource for constructive change. But together, we can make sure we are all equally protected under the law!

Social Inequality

Throughout her childhood, Scout explores social inequality through Maycomb’s hierarchy of people. Because of Atticus’ job as a lawyer, the Finches are relatively well-off, standing at the top of Maycomb’s social hierarchy. Below the Finches are the townspeople, and below the townspeople are the country farmers. But the black community in Maycomb, despite its many admirable qualities, sits below even the racist, abusive countrymen. This is eventually what allows Bob Ewell, a poor farmer, to accuse Tom Robinson of raping his daughter.

Cry about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too. Dolphus Raymond, To Kill a Mockingbird

Social inequality is still a prevalent problem in modern society. In the United States, wealth is unequally distributed by race. African-American families have a fraction of the wealth of white families. This is primarily due to employment and mortgage discrimination . Thus, African-Americans have less access to stable jobs and good wages, and they are less likely to be homeowners than whites.

By using a young narrator, Lee comments on the perplexity of this situation. For example, Scout cannot understand why her aunt refuses to let her play with Walter Cunningham, a boy in a lower class than her. Lee uses the children’s young minds to critique the role of class status and prejudice in human interactions. To Kill a Mockingbird is an important case study that shows the aftermath of social inequality when it comes to a head.

Good vs. Evil

Tom Robinson is not the only character in To Kill a Mockingbird who faces discrimination. Boo Radley, the Finches’ mysterious neighbor, also faces constant heckling from the children. Jem makes up wild stories about Boo being a “malevolent phantom,” and the children play games pretending to be members of the Radley family. In Maycomb, anyone who is different in looks, class, or character is ridiculed and made fun of.

Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time. Jem, To Kill a Mockingbird

Because Boo rarely interacts with the rest of society, he is seen as more of a ghost than a real person. This makes it easy to pin the town’s fears, spectacles, and downfalls on this character. Informed by the town’s gossip, Scout knows that Boo was mistreated as a child. But the rest of the stories are more harmful. Boo’s difficult childhood made it so the town believes he murdered his father and kills neighborhood pets for fun.

There is immediate danger in making someone an “other.” By making someone different from us, we make it easier to fear, stereotype, and discriminate against them. But differences don’t make someone less human. They make us more human. To Kill a Mockingbird reminds us that everyone deserves kindness and respect. And by continuing to read this novel, we remember that empathy and human morality are two of the most important qualities a person can have.

Happy To Kill a Mockingbird Day! To celebrate, dust off this classic from your bookshelf. Who knows? You may learn a lot about American history, human empathy, and social behavior all at once. If you’re interested in reading more books like To Kill a Mockingbird , click here .

FEATURED IMAGE VIA IMDB

Love Bookish Content?

Be the first to our giveaways, discover new authors, enjoy reviews, news, recommendations, and all things bookish..

No thanks, I'm good for now.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

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 ! 

Are you looking for some extra help with your essay analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird?

We have an incredible team of qce tutors and mentors.

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!

We’ve supported over  8,000 students over the last 11 years , and on average our students score mark improvements of over 20%!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational QCE tutor and mentor,   get in touch today  or give us a ring on  1300 267 888!

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

Related Articles

The extensive guide to analysing shakespeare’s ‘the tempest’: summary, context, characters & themes, the definitive guide to analysing shakespeare’s ‘romeo and juliet’: summary, context, themes & characters, the ultimate guide to analysing lord of the flies for english: summary, themes & characters, 45,861 students have a head start....

Get exclusive study content & advice from our team of experts delivered weekly to your inbox!

Looking for English Support?

Discover how we can help you!

We provide services in

5 Essays About “To Kill A Mockingbird”

In 1960, Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird . Taking inspiration from her family and an event in her childhood, Lee told a story of racism, injustice, and growing up in 1930s Alabama. The book was an instant classic but became one of the most challenged books in schools around the country. What makes this book so enduring and so controversial? How can readers wrestle with its themes and flaws? Here are five essays about To Kill A Mockingbird :

“How Do We Teach “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Honestly Confront Racism?” – DJ Cashmere

The author of this essay read To Kill A Mockingbird in 8th grade. He loved it. Later, when he tried teaching the book to his students, the kids didn’t connect to it. This isn’t unusual. Why? Cashmere states that it’s because too many white teachers neglect to discuss how racial justice has changed over the years. This gap in understanding also hurts students of color. Cashmere explores five ideas on how to teach this book today, including decentering whiteness and including Go Set A Watchman, the sequel that shook white readers’ view of Atticus Finch.

DJ Cashmere is a print and audio journalist in New York. He covers urban policy, culture, and education.

“We Shouldn’t Always Feel Comfortable: Why ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Matters – Christina Torres

Similar in theme to the first essay, “We Shouldn’t Always Feel Comfortable” addresses a recent reason schools aren’t reading Mockingbird : its racial themes cause discomfort. Torres, a middle-school English teacher, believes that discomfort is a sign the novel should still be read. The use of the N-word in the novel should make both students and teachers uncomfortable. Torres writes that it’s important for teachers and students to wrestle with the word. Good education includes facing uncomfortable things. It’s the only way to change. Note : In the comments section, Torres does say she understands that in majority-Black classrooms, the novel may be too problematic. The “good discomfort” she’s describing applies to classrooms where non-Black students wrestle with their own biases and history.

Christina Torres is a teacher and writer. Her work has appeared in Honolulu Civil Beat, Teaching Tolerance, and EdWeek Teacher. She writes about culture, education, race relations, and fitness.

“To Kill a Mockingbird: a story for white people” (2019) – E.R. Shipp

Aaron Sorkin adapted To Kill A Mockingbird for Broadway, where it opened in 2018. It was a huge success. Jeff Daniels played Atticus Finch, who is centered as the main character instead of Scout, the novel’s narrator. E.R. Shipp saw the play, describing Daniels as “magnificent.” There were updates she appreciated, such as Calpurnia having a bigger role. Still, as Shipp watches the stage, she realizes how clear it is that Mockingbird is for white people. They like to imagine themselves as friends of Atticus and fighters for justice. Even adjusted for the times, Mockingbird still centers whiteness.

E.R. Shipp is a journalist. In 1996, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. She’s the journalist in residence at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communication.

“The Courthouse Ring” (2009) – Malcolm Gladwell

Drawing on the history of Southern politics, this essay compares Atticus Finch to Jim Folsom, the populist Alabama governor in the 1940s and 50s. On the surface, Folsom and Atticus are both progressives. However, even though Atticus stands up to racists, he doesn’t address the racist system. When Tom Robinson is found guilty, Atticus just hangs his head. He isn’t angry with the town’s blatant disregard for justice. While many readers adore Atticus, seeing him compared to a real person – Jim Folsom – reveals the problematic aspects of his character.

Since 1996, Malcolm Gladwell has been a staff writer for The New Yorker. He’s also a best-selling author, podcaster, and public speaker.

“Go Set A Watchman: Why Harper Lee’s New Book is so Controversial” (2015) – Dara Lind

We shouldn’t ignore Lee’s controversial sequel in an article about To Kill A Mockingbird . Announced in 2015, many questioned Lee’s involvement in Go Set a Watchman . Did she give informed consent? Was this just about money? Then the book came out. Many readers were horrified to learn that Atticus Finch is racist. This essay digs into that revelation and asks what this means for To Kill A Mockingbird.

Dara Lind has worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014. She’s one of the US’ leading immigration reporters and also covers stories on federal data, police shootings, and more.

You may also like

13 Facts about Child Labor

Environmental Racism 101: Definition, Examples, Ways to Take Action

11 Examples of Systemic Injustices in the US

Women’s Rights 101: History, Examples, Activists

What is Social Activism?

15 Inspiring Movies about Activism

15 Examples of Civil Disobedience

Academia in Times of Genocide: Why are Students Across the World Protesting?

Pinkwashing 101: Definition, History, Examples

15 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month

10 Inspiring Ways Women Are Fighting for Equality

15 Trusted Charities Fighting for Clean Water

About the author, human rights careers.

Human Rights Careers (HRC) provides information about online courses, jobs, paid internships, masters degrees, scholarships and other opportunities in the human rights sector and related areas.

Empathy and Racism in Stockett’s The Help and Li’s To Kill a Mockingbird 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

Racial discrimination is an acute issue in the modern world, and while the situation starts to change, with people witnessing justice being administered and racists being punished, this is not always the case. As a matter of fact, many predecessors of people of color had to endure much harassment, violence, and disrespect before their rights were acknowledged, and discrimination became an abhorrent phenomenon.

Among the sources that illuminate the topic of racial discrimination are literature and films, which shed light on both sides, the oppressed and oppressors. Such works as The Help , written by Kathryn Stockett with its further film adaptation, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee illustrate the necessity of empathy in relation to racism. The solutions that were covertly offered by the authors are the confrontation of racism, raising awareness, and increasing societal conscience.

To start with, the first approach to racism and promoting empathy is to confront prevalent discrimination and racism, which was often shown in The Help . Celia, a recent newcomer to Jackson, Mississippi, longs to join the Junior League but discovers that she is not allowed since she wedded Hilly’s former partner, Johnny Foote. To keep Johnny from learning about Celia’s lack of feminine prowess, she employs Minny to cook and keep the house clean in secrecy.

From the personal recollection of Minny, the readers and the audience learn that Missis Foot was always “grinning and “good morning” and “glad to see”-ing” her, and it was not a problem for her when she “sat down and eaten lunch” with Minny (Stockett 215). Celia is considered “white trash,” and she knows what it is like to be mistreated, which is why she is respectful to Minny (Stockett 31). By being kind to Minny, she breaks the societal rules established in Jackson, which is important to break the vicious circle of discrimination.

Another solution to racism and the possibility of promoting empathy is to raise awareness through the voice of the discriminated. The majority of works of literature serve as verbalizations of social truths, and the novel The Help is among such works. This book focuses on how different origins, ethnicities, and skin tones lead to racial disparities. To demonstrate how life in Jackson centers around The Help, the book chronicles the intertwining experiences of the three women.

Complex relationships of power, wealth, compassion, and connection bind Jackson’s white and black communities together. The one character who decided to shed light on such issues and raise awareness is Skeeter Phelan. Having been raised by a black servant and learning about the reason for her resignation, Skeeter felt uncomfortable with such injustice ( The Help) . The young woman interviewed the servants who were women of color, and in her collection, she desired to revolutionize societal norms ( The Help) . Such an approach allows people to lose a one-sided perspective and learn about the unfairness toward the oppressed.

The last solution revolves around increasing societal conscience by educating people about the negative effects of prejudice, showing how it erodes the conscience of the community. The author of To Kill a Mockingbird employs character development throughout the book to show how a lack of compassion prevents cultural transformation in Maycomb and fosters societal unrest. Lee demonstrates how racial discrimination and the unwillingness to see through it may result in the deaths of innocent people. In one of the scenes, Lee used the line “Mr. Finch, if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared, too,” to emphasize how crucial it was for the white people to understand Tom so that he could obtain the proper trial (Lee 228).

As seen from the trial process, almost every person in the room was prejudiced against the man of color, including the judge, whose reaction to a man defending Tom was a reply, “Shut your mouth, sir!” (Lee 228). This situation illustrates that with discrimination present in the world, one would not even be able to be treated with fairness in legal or other aspects, which kills the core notion of democracy.

In sum, the writers subtly proposed three solutions, including confronting racism, boosting awareness, and sharpening social conscience. Probably the most effective solution is to boost awareness. Without spreading the information about discrimination and injustice, communities will continue to live in a bubble where they will not be exposed to the atrocities and disrespect that people of color experience.

As shown in the movie and the novel The Help , interviews can be conducted to bring awareness and illuminate the effects of racism. Skeeter was a woman who was not ready to observe the inequality and decided to spread the information in a collection of stories of black female servants who had to face disrespect and humiliation while working in white households. Therefore, such methods of using various platforms as conduits for acute issues in societies can serve as a solution to racism and encourage people to have more empathy for others and not discriminate against minorities.

Works Cited

Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird . United Kingdom, Random House, 2014.

Stockett, Kathryn. The Help . United States, Penguin Publishing Group, 2009.

The Help . Directed by Tate Taylor, performance by Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain, DreamWorks Pictures, 2011.

• Vertical Lines of Power or Authority
• Racial Discrimination and Justice in Education
• Segregation in "The Help" Film by Tate Taylor
• Music Industry: Celia Cruz
• Themes in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Racism in the Healthcare Sector
• Unraveling the Science of Human Races
• Racism in Healthcare and Education
• Portrayal of Races: Content Analysis and Literature Review
• Racist and Discriminatory Impact on Children
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 24). Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird. https://ivypanda.com/essays/empathy-and-racism-in-stocketts-the-help-and-lis-to-kill-a-mockingbird/

"Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird." IvyPanda , 24 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/empathy-and-racism-in-stocketts-the-help-and-lis-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird'. 24 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird." November 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/empathy-and-racism-in-stocketts-the-help-and-lis-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

1. IvyPanda . "Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird." November 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/empathy-and-racism-in-stocketts-the-help-and-lis-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Empathy and Racism in Stockett's The Help and Li's To Kill a Mockingbird." November 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/empathy-and-racism-in-stocketts-the-help-and-lis-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Sample Essay Outlines

The following paper topics are designed to test your understanding of the novel as a whole and to analyze important themes and literary devices. Following each question is a sample outline to help get you started.

The theme of the mockingbird is an important one in To Kill a Mockingbird . Write a paper on the mockingbird theme in Harper Lee’s only book. Be sure to tell what a mockingbird is and tell exactly why both Boo and Tom are mockingbirds. Are fears and superstitions associated with the mockingbird theme, with Boo, and/or with Tom? Explain your answer.

I. Thesis Statement: Harper Lee uses the mockingbird theme with both Boo and Tom as examples and with fears and superstitions attached to the mockingbird and both characters.

II. Definition of a mockingbird

A. Songbird

B. Gives its music

C. Expects nothing in return

D. Does no harm

E. Sin to kill mockingbird

A. Like the songbird

B. Gives gifts in tree and in end protects children

C. Expects no gifts or favors in return

E. Sin to harm or kill Boo

B. Gives gifts of labor

E. Sin to harm or kill Tom

V. Superstitions attached to each

A. Mockingbird

1. Sin to kill

2. Spends life giving

1. Rumors spread about him

2. Fear attached to him and the Radley Place

2. Fears associated with him and his race

a. “No lady safe in her bed” (Mrs. Farrow)

b. “Sin to kill a cripple” (Underwood)

Both Atticus and Bob Ewell are important characters in the novel. Compare and contrast these important characters.

I. Thesis Statement: In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird there are similarities and differences between Atticus and Bob Ewell, but the differences outweigh the similarities.

II. Similarities

B. Single parents

C. Set examples for their children

III. Differences

A. Atticus Finch

1. Same in public as private

2. Set example of honesty and concern for others to children

3. Did not use corporal punishment

4. Works as lawyer

B. Bob Ewell

1. Does evil works in secrecy

a. Scares Helen Robinson when she is alone

b. Cuts judge’s screen

c. Attacks children at night when they are alone

2. Sets contentious example for children

3. Beats children

4. Does not hold job

Atticus teaches many lessons to his children. What are some of the lessons that Atticus taught? How does he teach his lessons? Cite examples from the novel.

I. Thesis Statement: Atticus teaches many lessons to his children through his examples and through his patient lessons.

II. Lessons

A. Answer children when they ask you something

B. Do not hurt the defenseless

C. Be the same in public as in private

D. Use compromise when possible

E. Try to crawl into someone else’s skin

III. Means of instruction

A. Tells brother to do so and does himself

D. Shows Scout how to do so by doing with her

E. Mentions many, many times to children

Lee chooses Scout as narrator for the novel. In what way does it accomplish Lee’s purpose to have a young, innocent narrator? Can she make a profound statement about the hypocrisy of society? Explain your answer.

I.Thesis Statement: Through Scout’s innocent point-of-view, the reader sees Maycomb society with its barriers of class, race, and sex.

II. “Different kinds of folks”

1. Ordinary folks like the Finches and neighbors

2. The Ewells

3. The Cunninghams

4. The Negroes

B. Aunt Alexandra

1. Heredity

2. Shortcomings in other tribal groups

1. Says that “Folks is folks”

2. Less prejudiced than most other characters

III. Sees evidence of racial differentiation

A. Said Calpurnia was “supposed to use back door”

B. Jury was White men from outside town

C. Is told by Reverend Sykes that he “ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man. . . .”

IV. Sex lines in Maycomb

A. Women not on a jury

B. Expect girls to act and dress in a certain way

C. Southern womanhood

Cite this page as follows:

"To Kill a Mockingbird - Sample Essay Outlines." 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/critical-essays/sample-essay-outlines>

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Already a member? Log in here.

Critical Evaluation

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — To Kill a Mockingbird — Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Courage in to Kill a Mockingbird

• Categories: Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird

About this sample

Words: 519 |

Published: Mar 5, 2024

Words: 519 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1232 words

2 pages / 713 words

2 pages / 1120 words

2 pages / 1022 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on To Kill a Mockingbird

In Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," allusions play a vital role in enriching the narrative and deepening the reader's understanding of the themes and characters. From references to historical events to nods [...]

Prejudice is a prevalent theme in Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," set in the racially divided American South during the 1930s. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Scout Finch, the novel explores various forms [...]

In the literary world, few characters have left as lasting an impression as Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird." A paragon of moral integrity, Atticus embodies a rare blend of courage, [...]

Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has captivated readers for decades with its powerful portrayal of racial injustice in the deep South. One of the most memorable scenes in the book is Atticus Finch’s closing [...]

To some people, the importance of family is them being by your side whether it’s for support on something you are passionate about or just thinking that family is what makes you who you are. Family is important to everyone and [...]

In the novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, she conveys the idea that characters are a product of their environment. Throughout the book, it is continuously portrayed that the African Americans are part of the lowest [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

To Kill A Mockingbird Social Issues Essay

Comfortability is the pursuit of any human’s activities. One gets a job to pay for necessities that provide satisfaction. One pays for entertainment so that one may be happy and enjoy the time. Comfortable means to be eased and relaxed. Therefore, it would be reasonable to say no one desires to be uncomfortable. Education systems across the nation have been banning the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee due to the idea that it could make the reader “uncomfortable.” The novel accomplishes multiple themes that tackle social issues that include racism, classism, and the prevalence of deceit. Racism could indeed make the reader uncomfortable by surfacing unwanted, realistic social issues. Many find the idea of racism unsettling due to its …show more content…

The author utilizes Scout’s point of view to take a look at all of the common lies people have incorporated into their culture through an innocent, questioning lens. Scout sees the world as a bunch of adult lies and strongly disagrees with stereotyping that forces a false perception that people need to “behave accordingly”(Lee). The exposition of how frequently lies are used in society causes the reader to examine the daily life that they live which could provide an unsettling feeling. To even ignore the idea that humanity deceives itself and others becomes threatening to society because a “dismissal is a dangerous tool, because it’s nothing less than a lie”(Ericsson). However, the prevalence of deceit is not the main reason for the discomfort of the readers in To Kill A Mockingbird since deceit is encompassed by the more rattling idea of classism. The reason people will force their children to act a certain way is directly related to which social class they identify with. Lying has become a necessity for those left on the bottom of the economic and social ladder. The class system forces one to climb that ladder by any means possible since “unearned social advantages or disadvantages shape the life chances of most people”(Cohen). The prevalence of deceit strikes the reader with an uncomfortable feeling but classism forces the reader to take a look at themselves, their friends, family, and the history of the human race for how guilty they are of living an idea that they claim to

How To Kill A Mockingbird Dbq Essay

In society, people would usually associate with others who are the most similar to them since they tend to feel more comfortable around them. For instance, in the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”, is a story of Mayella Ewell who is a poor, white woman living in a racist environment during the 1930s. Some people will say that Mayella isn’t sincerely powerful and others might disagree. On the contrary, Mayella doesn’t have much capability when it comes down to her low financial status and her gender; however, her race is what makes her highly powerful. Mayella lives in a tremendously poor neighborhood since she “lived behind the town garbage dump”.

Dbq Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird

People can control many aspects of their life, but that kind of power can be challenged because of physical and social and social attributes like race, gender, and class. Traits can be limiting factors on how much flexibility someone has over their own life. Typically, rich, white males have the most power in relation to these three characteristics. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Mayella Ewell is a poor, white, nineteen year old girl who lives in the slums of the fictional town Maycomb, Alabama.

Tkm Rough Draft

TKM Research paper Chloe McClure Schreiber TKM research rough draft. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an american classic and favorite. People love the book most for the teachings and morals that can apply to anybody’s life. Despite this, all over the country “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee has been banned from schools. Reasons such as the book seemingly being “racist,” “Offensive,” “uncomfortable,” “Inappropriate,” and finally TKM “normalizes racism”.

To Kill A Mockingbird Ethos Pathos Logos

Rosa Parks once said, “Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome”. Many instances within the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” relate to the topic of racism and how it is introduced to children. During the Great Depression, there was an excess amount of stigma that people of color were inferior to white people. This racism in the time period seems to have inspired Harper Lee to write a novel which encompasses this topic.

To Kill A Mockingbird Theme Essay

The main theme of “ To Kill a Mockingbird” The main theme of the novel is about how people learn and grow to understand the world and how complicated it is, including issues such as prejudice, discrimination, and unfairness. Harper Lee uses the novel to show that these issues are everywhere in society and can have serious consequences. But also shows that empathy, kindness, and doing what’s right can make a major difference.

Censorship In Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury

Various books have been censored within the American education system due to their controversial subjects or the use of profane language, examples of this could include “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee being banned in certain school districts [Pen America]. Many people see this book as being a significant portrayal of how growing up and understanding other points of view can benefit one and make them into a better person later in life, which is an important life lesson this book teaches despite its language and controversy. To Kill a Mockingbird not only considers racial issues, but also gender norms and the importance of getting to know someone, so why ban the book? Lisa Fink who authored an article for the National Council of Teachers of English argues that we should stop acting as though To Kill a Mockingbird is progressive regarding racial indifferences, she states “...the messages about race and the status quo are so very outdated.” (Fink) when that could not be further from the truth.

Examples Of Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird

The negative impacts of a lack of integrity are woven through the storyline of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ with many different examples in every character of the story. In this society, when we think of inequality, we automatically go to the divide between whites and blacks. However, there were other social divides caused by immorality and sympathy that were in place even within these two distinct groups. For example, Atticus’ statement of, “when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains. I don’t know of any landowner around here who begrudges those children any game their father can hit,” sheds light on another huge problem of the poverty line in this society and the immorality of some adult figures.

Thesis Statement For To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Final Essay Outline: Thesis Statement/opening paragraph: In the story To Kill A Mockingbird, discrimination and the act of being prejudice is common among the main characters, on both the receiving and serving end. Certain characters, like Scout and Jeremy Finch, Bob Ewell, and the town folk truly create the main problem and set the theme of the story. For example, when Bob Ewell accuses Atticus Finch of being an african-american lover, because he is defending Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, according to Bob. Boo Radley is accused of being dead by Scout, Jem and Dill.

Should To Kill A Mockingbird Be Taught In Schools

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a well-known work of American literature. For more than 50 years, the novel has been regularly taught in classrooms all over America. Despite the fact that the book covers a wide range of topics, including racism, socioeconomic inequality, and prejudice, some people contend that it should not be taught in schools. This essay investigates whether or not it is appropriate for "To Kill a Mockingbird" to be taught in schools. Notwithstanding its somber subject matter, Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is excellent for classroom instruction since it imparts to readers important knowledge about social justice and empathy.

To Kill A Mockingbird Thematic Essay

Life isn’t always fair and you have to deal with it To Kill a Mockingbird- Thematic Essay To Kill Mockingbird is a story with a theme about how life won’t always go your way and how you learn to adapt. The theme of all events in the story (including the underlying one involving racism) is that life isn’t always fair and you have to deal with it. In the day to day events of characters Jem and Scout Finch, the story builds around racial conflicts surrounding the case that their father defends. The theme surrounds the story, turning the tone of the story deeper as it goes along through Lee’s use of words of the wiser, descriptive language, and contrasts and contradictions.

To Kill A Mockingbird Values Essay

Values in To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird shows that you should not judge a book by its cover, that actions speak louder than words, and that seemingly good people can be filled with exuberant flaws. There are several examples of characters in To Kill a Mockingbird that are portrayed as bad people in the beginning of the book that turn out to be heroes. Other characters such as Mrs. Merriweather and Aunt Alexandra criticise others and are generally hypocritical, even though they come across as pinnacles of politeness and wholesome values. Because characters such as Boo Radley and Mrs. Dubose are originally shown as bad people and then are shown as heroic and other supposedly good people like Mrs. Merriweather are shown to be hypocritical and callous, this book shows that it is of the utmost importance to thoroughly examine a person before you judge them, and that hypocrisy or other faults of character can be present in people with pious reputations.

Gender Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Life is overfilled with messages, like weeds in a sea in unmaintained grass. Whether it’s warning a person, or pointing out a flaw; these little lessons are there to further grow the positive parts of that person’s personality. A simple demonstration of this is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An old, children’s book serving no meaningingful purpose is what it may seem, nevertheless, it actually is a novel that offers a unique outtake on all aspects of human life. In the book, two children Jem and Scout, who learn about equality, racism, and social class through court cases, tea parties and more.

To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

In society, there are very few people who have the unwavering dedication to stand up for what they believe. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a black man was convicted and accused of a crime he didn 't commit, raping a white women, which is not in anyway tolerable in society. In Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird, the author used point of view and symbolism to acknowledge how the the several social divisions which make up much of the adult world are shown to be both irrational and extremely destructive. To begin with, the short story To Kill A Mockingbird, used point of view to show how the many social divisions in the world are irrational and destructive. Scout; a first grade student at the time, was telling the story from her point of view and what had occurred from her childhood perspective.

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the narrator and main character, Scout, along with her brother, Jem are two children living during the times of the great depression who encounter many obstacles through their life. One of the many obstacles the children faced was changes in their mindset, specifically, maturity. Scout and Jem's maturity caused a change of opinion about an infamous character, Boo Radley. The children went from fearing Boo Radley to appreciating and creating a close bond with him. Their opinion changes can be found first in the beginning when Jem describes Boo Radley negatively.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book mainly about the coexistence of good and evil. The book stresses and emphasizes on the exploration of moral nature in humans. There are many themes in this novel including courage, innocence, racism, femininity, etc. However the most prevalent theme in the book is innocence. Not just innocence in itself but the danger and harm evil poses to the innocent.

More about To Kill A Mockingbird Social Issues Essay

Related topics.

• Comfort women
• English-language films
• High school