To Kill a Mockingbird Theme Analysis/Essay
Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a realistic story that deeply discusses issues involved with the 1930’s that still resonate today. The struggles of life are evident within the believable characters of Maycomb County which is a microcosm, reflective of universal issues. Along with the authentic characters, setting and style also helps to convey Lee’s controversial notions of racial and gender prejudice, and persecution of the innocent, discussing many other ideas within.
Lee comments on the issues of racial and gender prejudice by following the struggles of authentic characters such as Scout, Tom Robinson and the persecutors Aunt Alexandra and Ewell. Scouts character does not value the social expectations of women and their regimented ways. “You must behave like the little lady you are.” The soft alliteration of ‘little lady’ emphasises the demeaning effect it has on Scout and the feminine world she is resisting. The demanding statement made by Aunt Alexandra “…who fit into Maycomb like a hand into a glove,” also shows Scouts initial rebellion and portrays her characters struggle against gender prejudice. The simile of Aunt Alexandra fitting into Maycomb like a hand in a glove provides the reader with a perfectly conjured image of the whole of Maycomb being gender prejudiced, hence the reason Aunt Alexandra and her views fit in. This stylistic technique also describes Maycomb as a glove, where there is only room for a hand or in To Kill A Mocking Bird’s case, one type of view. This portrays Scout’s determined, influential character, protesting against what seemed an impenetrable crowd, whilst illustrating Lee’s idea of breaking free from the ‘ideal woman’ stereotype through character and style. Narration from Scout’s point of view is an example of style as we see the pure detestation she has for the feminine dresses she is made to wear instead of her overalls. “I felt the starched walls of a pink penitentiary closing in on me…” Scout refers to her
Lee comments on the issues of racial and gender prejudice by following the struggles of authentic characters such as Scout, Tom Robinson and the persecutors Aunt Alexandra and Ewell. Scouts character does not value the social expectations of women and their regimented ways. “You must behave like the little lady you are.” The soft alliteration of ‘little lady’ emphasises the demeaning effect it has on Scout and the feminine world she is resisting. The demanding statement made by Aunt Alexandra “…who fit into Maycomb like a hand into a glove,” also shows Scouts initial rebellion and portrays her characters struggle against gender prejudice. The simile of Aunt Alexandra fitting into Maycomb like a hand in a glove provides the reader with a perfectly conjured image of the whole of Maycomb being gender prejudiced, hence the reason Aunt Alexandra and her views fit in. This stylistic technique also describes Maycomb as a glove, where there is only room for a hand or in To Kill A Mocking Bird’s case, one type of view. This portrays Scout’s determined, influential character, protesting against what seemed an impenetrable crowd, whilst illustrating Lee’s idea of breaking free from the ‘ideal woman’ stereotype through character and style. Narration from Scout’s point of view is an example of style as we see the pure detestation she has for the feminine dresses she is made to wear instead of her overalls. “I felt the starched walls of a pink penitentiary closing in on me…” Scout refers to her