| The novel To Kill A Mockingbird revolves around a | | | | because he did anything wrong but because of |
| young girl named Jean Louise Finch who goes by the | | | | prejudice. He is then later shot for trying to escape this |
| nicknamed “Scout”. Scout experiences | | | | unjust ruling. Mr. Robinson just like a mockingbird is shot |
| different events in her life that dramatically change her | | | | for no reason at all.The second theme which I will |
| life. Scout and her brother Jem are being raised by | | | | discuss is “coming of age”. The |
| their father, a lawyer named Atticus and a | | | | “Coming of age” theme basically entails a |
| housekeeper named Calpumia in a small town in the | | | | character who evolves to a new level of self |
| south. At this point in time in the South racism and | | | | awareness through his or her experiences in life. This |
| discriminations towards black was a big issue . The | | | | is clearly the case with Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. |
| story begins when Scout is 6 years old, and her | | | | An example of Scout’s “coming of |
| brother is about to enter the 5th grade. That summer | | | | age” can be seen when she meets her friend |
| Scout and her brother meet a young boy named Dill | | | | Dill. Dill comes from a broken home and lives |
| who comes from Mississippi to spend the summers | | | | somewhere beyond Alabama. Scout who comes |
| there. They become fascinated with a man named | | | | from a good home is awaken to the different quality |
| "Boo" Radley, a man in his thirties who has | | | | of life that exist and is able to come to a conclusion |
| not been seen outside of his home in years, mainly | | | | that life exist beyond the world she knows. Through |
| because of his suppressed upbringing. They have an | | | | these experiences she grows more tolerant of others, |
| impression of Mr. Radley as being this large ugly and | | | | learning how to "climb into another person's skin |
| evil man. Then comes the trial. Scout’s father | | | | and walk around in it." On her first day of school |
| becomes a defense attorney for a black man, Tom | | | | she finds that just like with Dill there are both social and |
| Robinson, who is falsely accused of raping a white | | | | poor classes in society, some are respectable and |
| women. This has a big affect on Scout. During this trial | | | | others not. She also learns that her father is an |
| she gets teased by friends because her father was | | | | extra-ordinary man, fighting for a Negro's rights in court. |
| helping this black man. Scout starts to see the racism | | | | During the trial of Tom Robinson Scout learns about |
| that exist. During the trial Scout and her brother and | | | | equality and inequality and finally about racial prejudice. |
| close friend Dill witness the trial. Even though they are | | | | By the final chapters of the novel, Scout goes to |
| young they can see that Mr. Robinson is innocent. | | | | another “coming of age experience.” She |
| Even though Mr. Robinson’s innocence was | | | | learns that good people can still suffer injustice. She |
| clear even in the eyes of kids, Mr. Robinson was still | | | | realizes this when she see’s Tom Robinson |
| found guilty. Later in an attempt to escape, Mr. | | | | suffer injustice even though they did nothing to |
| Robinson is shot dead. Scout is extremely disappointed | | | | deserve it. She discover that the courts does not |
| at the verdict and even more at the death of Mr. | | | | always result in justice. In the end after all of |
| Robinson and realizes the injustice that exist. Later in a | | | | Scout’s experiences and discoveries we get |
| cowardly attempt by the alleged rape victims father, | | | | the sense that she will not follow the prejudice views |
| tries to kill Scout and her brother in order to get even | | | | which her society upholds. In the end Scout had |
| with her father for making him look back in court. This | | | | matured and grown more as a kid, than many adults |
| is when Mr.Radley makes an appearance again an | | | | will do in there lifetime.The third and final theme which I |
| stabs their attacker. Even though Mr. Radley kills a | | | | will discuss is “Justice”. In the story To Kill |
| man he is not tried for murder because he was | | | | a Mockingbird I feel,the author, Ms. Lee portrays true |
| defending the Scout and her brother. Finally some | | | | justice as being best seen through the eyes of the |
| justice. This gives Scout some hope that is a chance | | | | innocent. In the story Scout and her brother, being the |
| for improvement in this unjust world.(Discussion of main | | | | innocent,can clearly see the injustice being done to Mr. |
| themes in To Kill A Mockingbird)There are many | | | | Robinson. In contrary to Scout and her brother other |
| different themes present in To Kill a Mockingbird by | | | | people in society more specifically the older people in |
| Harper Lee. The first theme which I will discuss is | | | | the town, the people who have lived through different |
| “Prejudice”. The whole story revolved | | | | experiences, become blinded when it comes to true |
| around the prejudice views of this Southern | | | | justice. Or maybe they are not blinded but just choose |
| community. The whole reason why the trial was going | | | | to ignore it. This is clearly seen when they sentence an |
| on was because of people views towards blacks in | | | | innocent man to death. This ignorance of justice can |
| the south. Since the alleged rape victim’s father | | | | be blamed on the prejudice views which are present |
| has such a prejudice view towards black, he is | | | | and eventually instilled in society in the south. So I feel |
| embarrassed that his daughter was actually flirting with | | | | that Harper Lee is connecting justice with innocence to |
| a black man. To combat this he falsely accuses the | | | | a certain extent. In my opinion Harper Lee portrays |
| innocent Mr. Robinson of rape. If it wasn’t for | | | | justice as being easily detected. The reason I say this |
| the prejudice view which existed in the south the | | | | is even the young justice. The problem is society can |
| accusation would had never been brought against Mr. | | | | instill beliefs that can act as a veil and blind the people |
| Robinson. These prejudice views in the south created | | | | from justice. The only way to uncover this veil is |
| a double standard of justice. With all the negative | | | | through people like Atticus who can pass his morality |
| points that can be found in the story in respect to | | | | and nobility to the young and the |
| prejudice, there was a bright spot when it came to the | | | | “blinded”(Would I recommend this book?)I |
| prejudice issue. This “ray of light” came in | | | | would definitely recommend people to read the book |
| the form of Scout’s father Atticus. Atticus | | | | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I found it to be an |
| represented hope. Hope that good people still exist. | | | | interesting and powerful book. I feel the book does a |
| Even in a society filled with hate. Atticus represented | | | | great job in portraying the extreme prejudice that |
| the hope that one day things can changeThe | | | | existed in the south at that time. I feel this book makes |
| “Prejudice” theme also ties in well with the | | | | a powerful statement on how justice can be altered |
| title of the book “To Kill A Mocking Bird.” In | | | | through racism. I also think that the themes found in the |
| Chapter 10, Scout and Jem Finch get air rifles for | | | | book are themes which can still be found in our current |
| Christmas. Scouts father tells her and her brother that | | | | society and that makes it the more interesting. You |
| it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because mockingbirds | | | | can even make a case that prejudice still has an |
| are harmless creatures who do nothing but sing for | | | | effect in our legal system today. So if you are looking |
| our enjoyment. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird Mr. | | | | for a powerful book of “coming of age” |
| Robinson is clearly the “Mocking Bird”. He | | | | and the battle for justice I would highly recommend To |
| is a good man who has never harmed anyone and is | | | | Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.You may visit and for |
| figuratively and literally shot by society because of | | | | instant access to over 45,000 plus term papers and |
| prejudice. The jurors sentence him to death not | | | | essays. Thousands of FREE papers are also available. |