To Kill A Mockingbird

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Themes
Social Inequalities
The starking difference in treatment of of the white and black community of Maycomb suggests not only a separation of class, but also, race. Justice fails to see light of day when the social inequalities are put into the play of a society.
The Difference between Right
and Wrong
At first, Jem and Scout's innocence leads them to believe that all people are made good. Scout ends up questioning her faith in human nature while Jem loses his faith in all justice and humanity.
Symbols
Mockingbirds
In the book, it is a sin to kill a mockingbird that in turn denoted death of innocence in a person. The resemblance to the theme of right and wrong is by killing a mockingbird.
Examples: Boo Radley, Tom
Robinson, Dill, etc.
Boo Radley
Boo is known to be a scary individual but due to story development like fixing Jem's pants, everyone sees the symbolism - a representative of the fact that everyone has a touch of good in them no matter what.
Plot Points
Dill, Jem and Scout become friends and wonderment about about the Radley House begins
the next summer, when Dill returns and they go to the Radley home, Jem loses his pants; he gets them back - all randomly sewn; kids start finding little gifts mysteriously
Atticus defends a black man Tom Robinson, who was accused of rape against Mayella in a trial
Atticus had found out that the whole accusation was a scam; Bob set
Tom because he and Mayella were having an affair; Bob wanted Tom out of the way and bring shame to Mayella
despite all evidence, Tom still gets convicted
and while trying to escape, he is caught and killed
Bob plans to hurt Atticus by attacking Jem and Scout on Halloween; Boo saves the kids by stabbing Bob
The cops cover up the stabbing by saying that Bob fell on his own
knife accidently; Scout sees that Boo is a good person and wonders about good and bad within us
Main Characters
Scout Finch - protagonist; young tomboy
girl; adventurous; daughter of Atticus;
sister of Jem; friend of Dill and
Calpurnia;
Jem Finch - older brother to Scout;
son to Atticus; friends with Dill
and Calpurnia
Atticus Finch - father of Jem and
Scout; widow; known lawyer in
Maycomb; cares about equality
and justice
Dill - summertime pal to Jem
and Scout; daring enough to
go near the Radley house;
Calpurnia - cook for the Finch family; takes
care of Jem and Scout during the trial;
Boo Radley - known as the
neighborhood creep;
Other Important Characters
Bob Ewell - father to Mayella;
racist; insensitive; accuses innocent Tom for rape against
his own daughter
Mayella Ewell - daughter of Bob Ewell;
unhappy; abused; mistreated by her father;
never raises a finger against the conviction of innocent Tom
Tom Robinson - young black worker; accused
of raping Mayella
Miss Maudie - neighbor of the Finch family; agrees with the justice of
Tom; supports Atticus throughout the trial
Other Literary Elements
Tone
speaker: Scout; very
innocent and naive at times;
intense throughout the trial
Foreshadowing
the sad town and segregation
respresented Tom's conviction and
death
Bob's son's attitude at school
demonstrated Bob's insensitivity and
hostile ways
the presents and gestures of
Boo Radley show his inner
kindness
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