You are on page 1of 2

To Kill a Mockingbird

Joe Estrin Blue Group

A theme of the book To Kill a Mockingbird is that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird for a mockingbird sings its heart out and never causes any harm. This theme is shown through Harper Lees characterization of Jem Finch. This book is written from the point of view of Scout Finch, Jems sister. Their dad, Atticus, is a lawyer defending an African American named Tom Robinson who was accused of rape. At the beginning of the book, Jem is shown as a lively, happy-go-lucky kid who is always doing irresponsible things. One example of this behavior is when Scout says, I told Jem if he set fire to the Radley house, I was going to tell Atticus on him. (17) But as the book progresses, Jem seems to mature and become more serious and responsible. For example, at a time when Aunt Alexandra is coming over to their house Jem says, Now I mean it Scout, you antagonize Aunty and Ill- Ill spank you.. Jem would not have said that early in the book and seems to have matured over time.

Harper Lee characterizes Jem to be an irresponsible and mischievous person. Jem always plays along with Scout and Dills games like when they decide to play Boo Radley. (Jem) I know what we are going to play Something new, something different. (51) Later on, he becomes more serious and responsible. His interests

seem to mature and become more like Atticus in the sense that they both are interested in the Tom Robinson case, and they both like to read the newspaper. Oh go on and leave me alone. Im readin the paper. (155)

Jem is tied to the theme that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson represent mockingbirds. Boo Radley represents a mockingbird because neither Jem nor Scout really knows who he is, yet they always seem to dismiss him. Tom Robinson is considered to be a mockingbird in the sense that even though he is innocent he accused of rape; he is just a hard working African American. He never did any harm yet he goes to jail, then later dies. Jem realizes that it is very unfair to be dismissive of African Americans.

Jem Finch changes over the course of the book To Kill a Mockingbird. This relates to the theme it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because he learns about Boo Radley and Tom Robinson and how they represent mockingbirds.

You might also like