To Kill a Mocking Bird Essay. In the book, To kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee highlights the meaning of the narrative using novel standpoint, structure and irony. Harper Lee investigates the absurd attitudes of adults towards race and status
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Introduction
EN3UO Mr. Miller June 16, 2009 To Kill a Mockingbird An innocent child is unaware of the realities of the world until they witness through experiences and teachings, ethics and morals. A book, in the same way, consists of characters, whose experiences, feelings and thoughts convey a subtle theme or message that is usually ethically accurate. The theme represents the controlling idea of the book and the central purpose for which the author decided to write the novel. The theme of the book is usually what the author wants the reader to take away from the book. As a crucial element of a novel, the way in which the author generates the meaning of the book is significant. The author can express the theme effectively not only through the characters present in the novel but also through specific writing styles, the focus being form and text. In the book, "To kill a Mockingbird", Harper Lee highlights the meaning of the narrative using novel standpoint, structure and irony. Harper Lee investigates the absurd attitudes of adults towards race and status in the Deep South in the 1930s through the eyes of Scout Finch. ...read more.
Middle
One of the character focus in part one is Boo Radley. The children, Scout, Jem and Dill, are exceptionally afraid of Boo because of his bad reputation in town, due to the rumours spreading around town about Boo. "According to neighborhood legend, when the younger Radley boy was in his teens he became acquainted with some of the Cunninghams...and they formed the nearest thing to a gang ever seen in Maycomb. They did little, but enough to be discussed by the town" (Lee 12). It can be observed that the town is very judgemental towards different families and misconceptions are present based on rumours. It turns out toward the end of the story that Boo Radley is not as frightening as the town had made him out to be. Harper Lee, in part one of the book, using introduction of the characters show that judgements shouldn't be made based on a person's past because each person deserves a second chance and everyone has a potential to change. The second part of the book is solely surrounding the fact that Atticus, Scout's father, is asked to defend a black man in court for raping a white girl. ...read more.
Conclusion
"'That's the difference between America and Germany. We are democracy and Germany is a dictatorship'" (Lee 329). It is ironic that the teacher would emphasize the idea that their country is democratic. However in reality, Maycomb County gives no importance to equality, since they discriminate against black people just like Hitler discriminated against the Jews. It is not just the town, even Miss Gates, the teacher herself, later on in the chapter is overheard to be in favour of persecuting Tom Robinson, just like Hitler persecuted the Jews. Harper Lee once again uses irony to stress the absurdity of discrimination. The theme of a novel is essential in that the book serves as a purpose for the reader, who is reading the book and the author, who is writing the book. Each element, including the form and text of the book acts as a building block that work together to communicate the theme to the reader. The purpose of the form and text used in the novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird", is used to generate meaning through, narrative standpoint, structure and irony. An author can use many techniques to express the theme. However, it is often unnoticed that the form and text of a novel also has a purpose, to reveal the theme of a book. ?? ?? ?? ?? ...read more.
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Here's what a teacher thought of this essay
5 star(s)
This is a very strong essay; on the whole it is very well written and demonstrates a high level of analytical skill. At times further links between different points in the text could be made to illustrate an in depth knowledge of the whole narrative.
5 Stars
Marked by teacher Laura Gater 18/07/2013
