To Kill a Mockingbird Lit Review

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To Kill A Mockingbird

Literature Review

Table of Contents

  1. Main Characters …………………………………………………………….….……… Page 3

  1. Minor Characters ………………………………………….…………………………... Page 6

  1. Setting …………………………………………………….…….………….…………… Page 9

  1. Theme ………………………………………………….….……………………………. Page 9

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  1. Point of View ……………………………………….………………………………..... Page 10

  1. Plot ……………………………………………………...……………..……..………… Page 11

  1. Memorable lines …………………………………………………….…..….….….…... Page 13

  1. Main Characters

Jean Louise (Scout) Finch

a)        "Scout yonder's been readin' ever since she was born, and she ain't even started to school yet.”(7). Not even six years old, Scout was already literate.  This quote showed that Scout was very intelligent compared to other children.  

        “‘Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him.  ‘Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?’”(276). This quote shows that people give Scout less credit than she really deserves.  Atticus once told her that killing a mockingbird is a sin, and in this quote, Scout shows that she understands this concept that most of the people around her do not.  

b)        Jem was Scout’s best friend and older brother that she respected and looked up to.  When went to him with questions and advice when she didn’t think Atticus would understand.  Other than Jem and Dill, Scout did not have other friends; thus, Scout thought of Jem as an equal when he really was four years her elder.  “… I knew he was fighting, he was fighting me back. We were still equals.”(138). Other than being her friend and source of advice, Jem also influenced Scout’s behaviour and character.   Scout despised wearing dresses and “acting like a lady” because she had grown up with Jem who was a boy.  In a way, Scout’s dislike for changing could be tied to her dislike for a change in her relationship with her brother.  Her close relationship with Jem can also be seen when Scout decides to follow Jem to Mrs. Dubose’s house for his punishment when she had the choice of staying at home.  

          Aunt Alexandra’s arrival in Scout’s life had a great impact on her mentally.  When she first appeared, Scout disliked her almost instantly, for Aunt Alexandra tried to force different values on her.  Scout had been raised without the concept of “being a lady” in her daily life.  Suddenly, a woman told her to wear dresses, and to act like a “lady was supposed to”.  Towards the end of the book, Scout slowly realizes that Aunt Alexandra meant no harm and that she deserved much more respect than Scout gave her.  

c)        When the story starts, Scout is less than six years old and already literate.  "Scout yonder's been readin' ever since she was born, and she ain't even started to school yet.”(7). On numerous occasions throughout the book, Scout proves herself to be more intelligent and bright than others her age.  When she is unfairly punished for hitting Francis, she explains to her uncle Jack why his methods of handling children are wrong.

         “‘Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him.  ‘Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?’”(276). Atticus had taught Scout and Jem many values and lessons and in this quote, Scout shows that she understands this particular concept.  In many ways, Scout resembles a combination of an adult and a child.  She grasped sophisticated concepts while acting like a child.

        “‘…she went on today about how bad it was him treatin' the Jews like that. Jem, it's not right to persecute anybody, is it? I mean have mean thoughts about anybody, even, is it?’ … ‘heard her say it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home – ‘"(256). At the age of seven, Scout can see the injustice, hypocrisy, and racism of their corrupt society.  Although her thoughts and ideas might not be organized and well thought out, most of the people of Maycomb aren’t even at that stage at all.

        Scout had a very impulsive nature.  When other children irritated her, Scout often picked fights with them.  For example, on the first day of school, Scout thought that Walter Cunningham had gotten her in trouble with her teacher; thus, she got into a fight with him.  Also, when Francis called Atticus a “nigger-lover”, Scout immediately jumped him, without even knowing the meaning of “nigger-lover”.  "‘Jee crawling hova, Jem! Who do you think you are?’ … ‘Now I mean it, Scout, you antagonize Aunty and I'll- I'll spank you.’ … With that, I was gone. ‘You damn morphodite, I'll kill you!’ …  I knew he was fighting, he was fighting me back. We were still equals.”(138). Scout thought that fighting was the best way to solve her problems; whoever won the fight was automatically right.          

d)         Scout was a young child whose mind and ideas were not yet fully developed.  This naivety and lack of experience stirred many external conflicts for her.  Atticus raised both her and Jem with his own values and ethics, some that were different from those of the society around them.  As Scout grows up, she learns that the world is not as she thought it to be.  She faces racism, ageism, and sexism, ideas that never before did she have to worry about.  Suddenly, her whole world is changing; she is harassed because Atticus is helping a Negro, Aunt Alexandra wants her to act more like a lady, even Jem is changing.  Scout, only a child, tries to understand the problems around her, and from this, she matures and grows up.

        Scout’s internal conflicts are derived from her external conflicts.  Because she is only a child, she does not fully understand the problems of the society and its values.  One of her internal conflicts occurs when Scout tries to understand the events around her and to make sense out of the problems of the society.  She applies the values and lessons Atticus has taught her and tries to find her way through all her confusion.  

        When Aunt Alexandra decided to come and live with Atticus and his family, a new female influence had penetrated into Scout’s life.  Aunt Alexandra who was born in the south, was born and raised in a society where being “lady-like” was a must for all females.  This was the first time that anyone has told Scout that she must act like a lady, as well as dress like one.  This external conflict resulted in Scout’s internal conflict of whether to give in to society’s customs and ethics.  “‘Don’t you want to grow up to be a lawyer?’ … ‘Nome, just a lady.’” (230). At the tea party, Scout showed that she had accepted the society’s customs and rules.  

        

e)        This story was written in Scout’s point of view of her memories and past; therefore, Scout was the protagonist of

To Kill A Mockingbird as well as the narrator.  

        Scout was a dynamic character because undergoes many changes including: her acceptance of being a lady, her outlook on Arthur Radley, and her understanding of the society.  

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        Because Scout is the narrator of the story, we see many sides of her.  Her thoughts and problems are revealed to us, as well as her happiness and joy; thus, she is a realistic and round character.  

Atticus Finch

a)        “’… if Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he wouldn’t be as hard as some men are at their best…’” (45). Atticus was a lawyer whose character and personality contrasted those of many others of Maycomb.  He was the typical hero who stood up for the truth and defeated the villains.  This quote shows Atticus’ righteousness and ...

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