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To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay

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To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay
To Kill a Mockingbird: Literary Analysis Essay
To Kill a Mockingbird has multiple major themes that are outcomes of significant scenes throughout the book. One of the most well-known scene is the trial scene where Tom Robinson is found guilty for a crime he did not commit. Because Scout and Jem were at the trial, the verdict deeply affected their view on the goodness of the people of Maycomb. Lee throughout the novel explores the concept of human morality, the inherent goodness or malevolence of people and how it can have a positive or negative affect on people. Lee achieves this through the coming of age and development of Jem and Scout, and through the effect that human morality has on the characterization of the mockingbirds, Boo Radley
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However, after Tom Robinson is convicted for a crime that he clearly did not commit, Atticus’ mercy for humanity begins to waver. Even though he knows that this case was inherently against Robinson, he still feels distraught that the jury was prejudiced enough to declare a man guilty, only because of the color of his skin. After the verdict, Atticus “... left the courtroom, but not by his usual exit. He must have wanted to go home the short way, because he walked quickly down the middle aisle toward the south exit… He did not look up.” (Lee, 215). Throughout the novel, Lee has created Atticus as the wise figure who seeks the goodness in everything.. He teaches Jem and Scout to walk in one’s shoes before judging them and that the surface of one's life does not accurately portray what is within. This scene shows that human malevolence can change Atticus’ attitude, despite how strongly he feels that every human has a part of them that is pure. Lee’s juxtaposition of Atticus’ character gives the reader insight on how an incident that involves the abuse of human virtue can change one’s attitude and

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