What Purpose does Section one serve in a Reading of
'To Kill a Mockingbird'?
Section 1 of the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird', by Harper Lee establishes the main style and themes of the narrative. It begins by giving a brief summary of the history of the Finch family before setting the scene for the main action of the novel. It introduces the reader to the main characters who will, Scout, Jem, Atticus and Miss Maudie and some of the families who are relevant to the story, the Radleys and the Ewells. Some of the themes of the book become apparent in the first section and are then continued and elaborated on in the second half. Questions are also raised that arouse the reader's interest and encourage them to read on.
From the first page it becomes apparent to the reader the book is written in first person tense, but it is several pages before the reader is informed that the story is to be related by a six year-old girl. The protagonist of the novel is Scout, a proud, headstrong girl who claims that she 'Never loved to read. One does not love breathing'. The story begins by her commenting on events that do not become clear until the end of the novel. She says 'I maintain that the Ewells started it all' but she does not explain what they started and the reader only discovers what she means as more of the story is revealed. This catches the attention of the reader, as their curiosity is aroused and they want to know what she is talking about.
'To Kill a Mockingbird'?
Section 1 of the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird', by Harper Lee establishes the main style and themes of the narrative. It begins by giving a brief summary of the history of the Finch family before setting the scene for the main action of the novel. It introduces the reader to the main characters who will, Scout, Jem, Atticus and Miss Maudie and some of the families who are relevant to the story, the Radleys and the Ewells. Some of the themes of the book become apparent in the first section and are then continued and elaborated on in the second half. Questions are also raised that arouse the reader's interest and encourage them to read on.
From the first page it becomes apparent to the reader the book is written in first person tense, but it is several pages before the reader is informed that the story is to be related by a six year-old girl. The protagonist of the novel is Scout, a proud, headstrong girl who claims that she 'Never loved to read. One does not love breathing'. The story begins by her commenting on events that do not become clear until the end of the novel. She says 'I maintain that the Ewells started it all' but she does not explain what they started and the reader only discovers what she means as more of the story is revealed. This catches the attention of the reader, as their curiosity is aroused and they want to know what she is talking about.
