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To kill a mockingbird - Essay study - Coggle Diagram
To kill a mockingbird - Essay study
Characterisation
Atticus
Reader Response: admiration, positive response,
Characteristics: empathetic, understanding, courageous
he doesn't change much through the story. he represents morality and reason
recognises good and bad, is honest and treats his children as adults
unable to aide the towns ingrained prejudice, which causes him to be scorned at but people still hold him in a high regard
Scout (Jean louise)
Reader Response: relate to her (novel in first perspective)
Characteristics: intelligent, good, confident, thoughtful, unusual
adult scout can understand the impact of various events more than the child living them
child character is a questioner who experiences the story
adult narrator is the observer who tells the story
she recognises that her father was exceptional but complained that he never did anything with them
scout is not a southern bell as her father prioritised teaching her morals. She does not always grasp social niceties, human behaviour baffles her
Scout incorporates the teaching of walking in someone else's shoes into her worldview as Atticus taught her
Jem
Reader Response
Characteristics
Tom Robinson
Reader Response: sympathy
Characteristics: speaks colloquially but does not use the same obscenities as Bob Ewell, showing his lack of formal education but innate manners, empathetic as he felt 'sorry' for Mayella
Boo (Arthur) Radley
Reader Response: dislike at first (hidden in a house, lots of stories), admiration
Characteristics: kind, gentle, protective of the children
the most important mockingbird
Bob Ewell
Reader response: dislike, viewed as evil/antagonist
Characteristics: uses obscenities in court to show lack of respect and manners, implied to hit his children, cocky and confident (strutted like a bantam cock)
Representations
How? (factors)
motifs
gothic motifs that feature supernatural occurrences, creates tensions and foreshadows troublesome events
unnatural snowfall, the house fire, the mad dog, Boo Radley superstitions, the night of the Halloween party
small town life motif that emphasises the slow paced, good natured feel of Maycomb
counterbalances gothic
miss Maudie's fire/people of Maycomb banding together to help out
Bob Ewell's attack on Scout/ Scout dressed as a giant ham
symbols - represent abstract ideas or concepts through objects, characters, figures and colours
mockingbird represents the idea of innocence. Jem, Tom, Dill and Boo can all be mockingbirds that had their innocence destroyed through contact with evil
'Finch' indicates vulnerability
Boo Radley and the children's changing attitude toward him is a measure of their development of morality
begins as a superstition, becomes increasingly real as he mends Jem's pants until he becomes human to Scout
Jem's mind changes first, as he is older and therefore more understanding
Scout's mind only really changes when Boo saves them, because she is younger and yet to develope as much as her older brother
social historical context - racism, discrimination and inequality still exists in society can influence the reader to understand and relate to the story more
Why? (purpose)
Harper Lee presents moral truths to the reader
prominence given to life and the need to safeguard it
human value depicted is need for love and affection
mayella, Arthur, dill
representations of innocence, and the destruction of it, racial prejudice, and different classes of the social hierarchy is small southern towns
Context/Themes
Themes
The existence of Social Inequality
difference in social status explored through Maycomb's social hierarchy - the Finches, the townspeople, the Cunninghams, the Ewells. These social divisions are irrational and destructive, and the children's perplexity criticises the role of social classes and prejudice
The importance of Moral education
Jem and Scout's development is impacted by how they learn at school as well as Atticus' devoting himself to instilling a social conscience in Jem and Scout by putting himself in his children's shoes
Loss of innocence
The coexistence of good (Good vs evil)
approaches the question of are people good or evil? through Scout's transition from a perspective of childhood innocence to a mature one after confronting evil
3 main themes
Prejudice and Racism
Evidence:
Fear of the Unknown
Innocence
Tolerance and patience
Atticus tells Jem and Scout to tolerate Mrs Dubose bad tongue, as well as tolerate other's beliefs
Context
social context
small Southern country town
Southern side for slavery in Civil War
historical context
1930s America
Jim Crow Laws
"Jim Crow" comes from a song that is used to mock African Americans
Great Depression
example of families in the book that are affected by the Great Depression are: The Ewells and the Cunninghams
Southern town
South side wanted slavery in Civil War
1931 Scottsboro boys trial
American black boys were accused of raping white women and was put on trial with 2 volunteer lawyers. There were little evidence and little proof that they were raped, but the jury and judge were biased against black men. This inspired the author to write a similar trial in her book that revolves around White people being biased against African American people
textual context
Southern Gothic - takes place in the South that often contains both dark and comedic elements, southern ascent, features exaggerated characters and references to the supernatural
Evidences:
Boo Radley functions as a living ghost in terms of his physical appearance and his name
The characters are more sympathetic than many Southern Gothic novels, exaggerating the characters' defects for comedic purposes
The novel centres on act of violence and the town's deep-seated racism
Bildungsroman - means "novel of education". often means that a character faces a significant life challenge that brings them closer to an adult understanding of the world
Evidence:
Throughout the novel Scout begins to understand the adult world
As a result, Scout is more wiser and more prepared to enter society
Courtroom Drama / Crime Genre
authorial context
Harper lee was born in Southern Alabama, which inspired her to set her novel in the same environment she used to live in
Her father was a lawyer, which inspired her to create a character similar to her father. She would've been aware of several cases that demonstrated the inequalities and her father would've talked about the Scottsboro Trial.
Lee was similar to Scout (the main character) - the writing reflects a bit of her childhood perspective towards the inequalities of racial discrimination and segregation in society at that time
politcal context
likely inspired by the famous case of the Scottsboro Boys, Lee's dad was also a lawyer
lynchings: when a group publicly kills an individual without due process, typically by hanging them
cultural context
Jim Crow Laws - segregation
community
Southern American communities were deeply racist
wide community of Maycombe is racist
setting
1930 Southern country town
small town= ideas less likely to change
beliefs
town's main belief is that Tom Robinson is guilty, Boo Radley is evil and strange, racist beliefs
towns beliefs reflect 1930s Southern Americas beliefs
Atticus goes against the towns beliefs
also goes against 1930s Southern Americas beliefs
lynchings: when a group of people publicly execute someone, typically by hanging, without due process
voice
genre
coming of age
from youth to mature
scout develops from innocence into understanding the good and evil of the world and learns about racism in community and legal system through witnessing Tom Robinson's trial
southern gothic
dark, comedic, southern vernacular, supernatural elements
themes of racism, slavery and violence
superstitions of the Radleys, the house fire, unnatural snowfall, the mad dog
the main characters speak and act comedically
courtroom drama
much of the action takes place during the criminal trial, with themes of justice, morality, society
narrative voice of Scout's older self, character voice of Scout's experiences as a child, in order to show both the innocence of children but also being more observant and insightful
use of past tense, sophisticated adult vocabulary, wise, reflective, rational, insightful
innocent, blunt, defensive, naive
Style + Structure
Part 1 introduces reader to Maycomb using background info so that the reader will be able to appreciate the impact of the trial o the people of Matcomb
Part 2 emphasises he importance of the trial and shows how characters cope. Scout and Jim realise their father has been trying to teach them life lessons
Realistic Childhood language
even though Scout is young, the language used isn't restricted to her young self as it is written as a recollection by an older Scout
difference in language of white and black people
Calpurnia talks like a white person at Atticus' house, but switches to a more colloquial dialect at the black Church
Bob Ewell speaks obscenely to show his poor class
children use slang to show their young age and create a realistic feel
"Shoot, no wonder then"
used to give authenticity and realism to the novel and emphasises that issues such as racism are evident in the world
Structure help develop the reader's understand of the characters, themes and issues
To kill a mockingbird is separated into 2 parts to address how the Jem and Scout are maturing
Part 1 - introduces the reader to the community and slightly exposes the prejudices of the people of Maycomb as well as conveying Scout's innocence. Jem begins to become more mature
Part 2 - Jem and Scout becomes more mature towards the end of the novel, as they are clearly exposed to the harsh realities of the world through the trial. They are now more prepared for society
QUOTES
Representation
“...Mr. Nathan put cement in that tree, Atticus, an‘ he did it to stop us findin’ things—... that pants instead... he ain’t ever hurt us, Atticus—” (Jem, 7-8)
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us.
That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (9-11)*
Chapter 1 - 3 : The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back—no church baskets and no scrip stamps. They never took anything off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don’t have much, but they get along on it.
Characterisation & Audience response
Calpurnia
Chapter 1 : "Calpurnia …. Always ordering me out of the kitchen… Our battles were epic and one-sided Calpurnia always won … been with us ever since Jem was born … her tyrannical presence … " - Scout
Chapter 1 - 3: “Hush your mouth. Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny.” (PG 26)
Atticus
Chapter 9 - 11 “Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Chapter 23 "…Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.” - Scout
Chapter 23 - "...see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at the trial..."
“Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (5)
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (3)*
Chapter 1 - 3 : Miss Caroline apparently thought I was lying. “Let’s not let our imaginations run away with us, dear,” she said. “Now you tell your father not to teach you any more. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage-”
Dill
Chapter 12- 14: "He could add and subtract faster than
lighting, but he preferred his own twilight world"
'Beautiful things floated in his dreamy head. He could read two books to my one, but he preferred the magic of his own inventions
'things haven't caught with this ones instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won't get sick and cry. Maybe things'll strike him as being- not right, say, but he won't cry, not when he gets a few years on him" Mr. Raymond, Chapter 20, page 219
shows how Dill is a mockingbird
Jem
Chapter 17 : “We’ve got him.”
I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time... it’s because he wants to stay inside.*
Mr Cunningham
Chapter 15 “I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady,” he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. “Let’s clear out,” he called. “Let’s get going, boys.”
Boo (Author Radley)
Chapter 1 (P11) - Boo Radley stabbing his father in his leg with scissors that he used to cut newspaper
Chapter 1 - Boo is "six and a half feet tall" with "bloodstained hands" from eating "bloody raw animals" and a "pale face, yellow and rotten teeth, eyes popped, always drooling" with a "Long jagged scar across face." according to Jem
Scout (Jean Louise)
Chapter 2:
Scout respects how the Cunninghams can survive with what little they have: “They (Cunninghams) don’t have much, but they get along on it” - P21
Scout is sympathetic, erging Miss Caroline to stop ruining his families’ reputation and consider that he has no quarter to spare: “Your shamin’ him (Walter Cunningham), Miss Caroline” - P22
Chapter 7: '―I tried to climb in Jem‘s skin and walk around in it....' *
"How can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right here at home?"*
"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks"
"What's rape?"
Style + Structure
Chapter 23: Perhaps Atticus was right, but the events of that summer hung over us like smoke in a closed room?"
Chapter 20: Atticus - "this case is as simple as black and white" -
“The misery of that house began many years before Jem and I were born.” (PG 9)
Chapter 28: "...the solitary mocker...in blissful unawareness of whose tree he sat in...?"
Voice
But I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said. (9)*
He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out. (1)
Themes
“There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible." (22-23) *
“Atticus says "cheatin' a colored man is ten
times worse than cheatin' a white man." (22-23)
Chapter 2 Miss Caroline: “It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind” - Importance of Moral education
Chapter 22: "There are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs...?" - Miss Maudie
Chapter 22: "They've done it before and they did it again tonight and they'll do it again and when they do - it seems only children weep?"
Context
cultural
social
historical
"The Cunninghams are country folk, farmers, and the crash hit them the hardest," Atticus, Chapter 2, page 22
link to classroom.google.com
"simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not too try to win," Atticus... "This time we aren't fighting the Yankees, we're fighting our friends." Chapter 9, page 82,83
'There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with' Chapter 1, page 5