To Kill A Mockingbird Assignment

Jean Louise Finch also know as Scout portrays the main character in the novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird''. She is a intelligent, thoughtful tomboy, who enjoys fighting. ''My fists were clenched and I was ready to fly.''. Scout is thinking this right before she is about to fight. Right form the beginning Scout was already smarter then her peers. ''...she discovered that I was literate and looked at me with more than faint distaste.''. Miss Caroline, Scout's teacher was astonished and confused to here that one of her students was so far ahead of the class. Thus showing us how smart Scout is. You can tell that Scout is a tomboy because she prefers to wear overalls rather then dresses, as well as hanging out with Dill and Jem during the summer. Through out the novel Scout get in a series of fights with her peers. Proving shes loyal to her father's word, she gives up fighting. Scout remains thoughtful to everyone and her promises while developing in the novel. At the beginning of the book Scout is 6 years old but by the end of the book she is 9. Between these years Scout's character will increasingly mature. Scout will learn the world's evils and how to treat people fairly though out the novel. Ultimately she becomes wiser and tolerant.

Intolerance At It's Worst

To Kill a Mockingbird Photo Essay

By Eleanor Holloway

Strong beliefs (Theme)

With Age Comes Wisdom (Theme)

Journey of Morals (Plot)

Biography of Harper Lee

The fight for equality is a continuous theme in this novel. "To Kill A Mockingbird" takes place around the 1930's, this is a rough time period for racism and intolerance. Through out the novel Scout or Jean Louise Finch, the main character will constantly be taught the importance of treating everyone the same. Scout's father, Atticus shows a different moral background then his community. He judges no one by their bank account or skin color. Atticus will pass his ways down to his children, Scout and Jem.

When Walter Cunningham embarrassingly refuses to take his teachers quarter Scout kindly helps to explain his situation. ''The Cunningham's never took anything they can't pay back...''. This event helps to foreshadow the theme fight for equality because Scout decides to defend someone less fortunate then her, instead of treating him differently or letting him be treated differently.

The novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' by Harper Lee takes place in Alabama, Maycomb County during the great depression. Jean Louise Finch also know as Scout, the narrator and main character will encounter life changing events through out the novel. She will have to decide whats morally right and what she stands for. Atticus Finch, Scout's father is defending a young black handicapped male, named Tom Robinson in a rape case. Defending a black man is highly frowned upon in the community at this time period. Both Scout and Jem, Scout's brother will lose part of their childhood innocents when witnessing the town's actions under these circumstances.

This theme is seen in Scout, the main character. Since the book starts out with Scout being so young we as the readers get to see her personality and opinions develop. As Scout gets older she becomes wise in many different ways. One way that she is wise is to let somethings go unnoticed. When Scout and Jem are attacked by Bob Ewell Arthur comes to their defense. In doing so he stabs Bob, resulting in Bob's death . The Sheriff knows this but does not report it due to the circumstances. Arthur is a very socially anxious man who hates having any attention. Scout then learns its better to ignore somethings then bring them up. This is shown when she says ''well it'd sorta be like shootin a mockingbird.''. The mockingbird is used a symbol for Arthur because they are both innocent and just trying help. So to tell everyone what Arthur did would be a sin. When Scout recognizes this it is a sign that she has become wiser.

Harper Lee, best known for her award winning novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", was born in April 28, 1926, in small town, Monroeville, Alabama and died at the age of 89 on February 19, 2016. She was a tomboy and the youngest of 4 children. Her father was a lawyer. Her mother stayed home most the time due to mental illness. Harper Lee received her education at 3 different institutions; Huntington College, University of Alabama and Oxford University. Some say the historical fiction novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" was influenced by her own experiences and home life.The novel is aimed at a mature audience. Harper Lee has written only one other book, in 2015 entitled "Go To Set a Watchmen". This book is a sequel of "To Kill A Mockingbird". "To Kill A Mockingbird" has won various awards over the years. For example the 'Pulitzer Prize Award' in 1961.

Atticus Finch will also push for equality while representing Tom Robinson, a young black male on trail for a rape case. ''Tom Robinson's a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world's going to say, 'We think you're guilty, but not very,' on a charge like that. It was either a straight acquittal or nothing.''. Even though Atticus knows this will be a hard battle he is determined to win, just like in the fight for equality.

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8124655_book-awards-kill-mockingbird.html

A set of aged eyes can symbolize wisdom with maturing age. Having seen more with your eyes, you gather knowledge from experiences to make good decisions. Thus conveying with age comes wisdom.

http://www.biography.com/people/harper-lee-9377021

This is an image of Martian Luther King Jr giving his famous speech ,'' I Have a Dream''. In the speech he talked about the fight for equality, which also happens to be the theme of the novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird". Thus symbolizing one of the main themes.

Character: Atticus Finch

Character: Jean Louise Finch or Scout

Tom Robinson Trial (Interpersonal Conflict)

Attack of Hatred (Interpersonal Conflict)

Standing Against the Storm (Symbolism)

A stormy ocean can symbolize the hard, treacherous events that the Finch family will go though during and after the Tom Robinson trail. When Tom is convicted the Finch's are dragged down by the oceans under toe. However they will swell back up and try to fight against the oceans force when they discus getting an appeal. ''We're not trough yet. There'll be an appeal, you can count on that.'' this is said by Atticus while he is talking to Jem but just like the ocean what happened next was unpredictable. Tom panicked and tried to escape in doing so he died. The Finch's will have many ups and downs through out there life while living in a place like Maycomb county but can they weather the storm?

Bob Ewell has a strong hatred for Atticus Finch and seeks revenge. Atticus had defended a young black male in a rape case against Bob Ewell's daughter. Though Tom Robinson, the suspect was found guilty by the court Atticus had found the truth. Bob Ewell was the one who hurt his own daughter. With this, hatred grow even further but Bob didn't intimidate Atticus. So in order to get his revenge he would sink as low as to attack Attcius's children, Jem and Scout.The attack happens in the dark of night fall when Jem and Scout are walking home from the school play. Scout's ham costume helped save her from getting major injurys but Jem was not in a costume. ''He's got a bump on the head just like yours, and a broken arm.'' this is said by Dr. Reynolds to Scout when describing Jem's physical condition. However Bob Ewell got beat up the worst. Arthur had stabbed Bob while defending the children, resulting in Bob's death. '' He's good and dead. He wont hurt these children again.'', Mr. Tate says tells Atticus this after he comes back from looking at the crime scene.

A major conflict in the novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is Tom Robinson's rape trial. Tom Robinson is a disabled young black male, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom was highly discriminated against for being black. ''He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch's daddy defended Niggers.''. This statement was meant to hurt Scout's feelings. The children of Maycomb County were also awear and spiteful of Tom's trail due to racism. Even though there was no evidence, Tom was found guilty. Bruises on Mayella Ewell were consistent on her right side however Tom could have only used his right hand because his left hand was damaged from a childhood accident. Thus making the opposing sides evidence inconstant. This raised many questions in the community on whether or not he was actually guilty. While going to prison Tom tries to escape but before hecan get away he is shot to his death.

Atticus Finch is father to Scout and Jem Finch. He is an older wise man in his fifty's. The character is clam, caring and empathic. Atticus is clam in tough situations like when Miss Maudie's house caught fire in the middle of the night. ''Atticus shook his head to tell us she did not want to talk. He led us home,'' this quote reveals Atticus's lack of panic or fear during the fire. Allowing readers to see how clam the character really is. Atticus is empathic and caring even to animals, he is the best hunter in all of Maycomb County. However he will not hunt if he doesn't have to. ''If your father's anything, he's civilized in his heart''...'' I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that god had given him an unfair advantage over most living things.'' this is said by Miss Maudie when she is talking to Scout about Atticus. Atticus is highly respected around the County by many people including Miss Maudie. More examples such as Atticus's decision to defend Tom Robinson and he reaction to the protesters covey just how caring and empathic Atticus really is.

The waves from the stormy ocean can represent the ups and downs that the Finch family will go throw.

This image symbolizes the bad karma that Bob Ewell got for sinking so low. The block will fall on the sitting man who pushed it, just like how Bob will die because he tried to hurt the children.

The trail of Tom Robinson's case is symbolized here because the balance is off on the pans, showing an injustice just like Tom's trail. He never had a fair trail due to the fact that he was discriminated against.

A cape and gown symbolizes Atticus Finch because he is a very intelligent man and to receive a cap and gown you need to be intelligent.

A road map represents Scout because like a map she is rough, with many different decisions and paths to choose.

Recommend Book Audience

Verdict of Tom Robinson (Climax)

Sad Reality (Favorite Passage)

The Innocent (Symbolism)

A Grim Ending (Conclusion)

Passage:

I'd say that this book is intended for a mature audience, ages 10 and up. The novel ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' deals with heavy topics such as racism and rape, that may not be appropriate for very young children. However the topics and themes discussed are very important to acknowledge because they are still present in today's society. The book maybe at a higher reading level then most children under 10 years old. This is not a gender specific novel, there is an even balance of feminine and masculine events and feelings.

'' 'Tom's dead.' Aunt Alexandra put her hands to her mouth. 'They shot him,' said Attcius. 'He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them-' 'Didn't they try to stop him? Didn't they give him any warning?' Aunt Alexandra's voice shook. 'Oh yes, the guards called to him just has he went over the fence They said if he'd had two good arms he'd made it, he was moving that fast. Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn't have to shoot him that much.''

The mockingbird is used as a symbol for Tom Robinson and Arthur Radley in this novel. ''...remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird... Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.''. This quote relates Tom because he is innocent, just like a mockingbird. However in Tom's case he will be declared guilty. Arthur as known as Boo does nothing but keep to himself and help others in need. The mockingbirds gift of song can indicate Arthur's presence and help in a desperate situation.

Harper Lee ended her award winning novel with deep cuts of realistic events. Both Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell die and the Finch family is left with the tragic memorizes. These events make Jem and Scout rethink all their morals, thoughts and opinions on the people of Maycomb County.

Receiving the finial verdict of Tom's trial is the most intense part of the novel. Anything before this point in the book leads up to this finial decision. Tom Robinson will be found guilty by the court. '' Judge Taylor was polling the jury : 'Guilty... guilty ... guilty... guilty...'I peeked at Jem: this hands were white from grasping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each 'guilty' was a separate stab between them.''.

Expatiation:

This is my favorite passage because it's realistic. Most novels finish or sugar coat details. Instead Haper Lee deiced to stick to an unfortunate truth no way would a black man have justice in that time period under those circumstances.

Tom Robinson was convicted even though he wasn't guilty. This image shows a mockingbird harmlessly singing. Just like the mockingbird Tom is innocent. Arthur's innocents can also be resembled by a mockingbird because he too has done nothing to harm others.

A butterfly can represent a mature audience because it has grown from a young caterpillar and is now ready to experience and see new things like the books content.

War casualties represent Tom and Bob because their life's were used to bolden or show a problem. However they showed the community racism instead of 2 country's fighting.

Ambulances can represent the climax of this novel because you have to wait to see if you loved one is hurt just like how the people in the court room need to wait for the verdict. In both cases the finial news can change the rest or your life or someone elses life.

Arthur Radley

This image conveys the message that in reality everything dies just like the tree in the picture and Tom Robinson in the novel.

Tom Robinson