To Kill a Mockingbird

Novel by Harper Lee, published in 1960.

It is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. The
protagonist is Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an intelligent and unconventional girl who ages from six to
nine years old during the novel. She and her brother, Jem, are raised by their widowed father, Atticus
Finch, a prominent lawyer who encourages his children to be empathetic and just. When Tom Robinson,
a Black man, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him
despite threats from the community. Although Atticus’s defense is strong, Tom is convicted, and he is
later killed while trying to escape custody. A character compares his death to “the senseless slaughter of
songbirds,” which echoes Atticus’s comment to his children that it is “a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Themes

Race : The race of the characters of the novel shows the bias present in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Robinson's trial in the court room shows the kind of mistreatment people go through even
from those who have no saying in legal proceedings. When Jen and Scout escort Calpurnia to
an African American church, they face racial discrimination from some of the members of the
church. Aunt Alexandra also shows racism when she tells Atticus to mind his words when he is
in front of African Americans. She states, "Don't talk like that in front of them, it encourages
them". When the children, especially Jem, are exposed to the adults' racial issues, they think it is
very petty and unethical.

Class: Harper Lee's ideas of class are based on money, wealth, and power. In the novel, Aunt
Alexandra is loyal to the positions in Maycomb. She believes that everyone belongs somewhere
in the community. She makes it clear that Scout cannot invite a classmate, Walter Cunningham
to their home because of his low class. She states that she does not want Scout to pick the boy's
behaviors and refers to Walter as trash. Aunt Alexandra also believes that the Finches are in a
higher social class compared to the Ewell family. From the time when Aunt Alexandra moves
into the Finch house, Jem and Scout crowded their minds with the issues of background and
family. However, they are trying their best to relate the issues to their beliefs and live in
Maycomb without worries.
Equality versus Inequality : The issue of equality and inequality is determined in Maycomb when Mr.
Gilmer, the solicitor, pretends to be a decent person but the way he speaks to Bob Ewell is
different from the way he talks to Tom Robinson; their racial differences being the main reason
for this. This reveals how blinded the community is when it comes to racism. Inequality is also
seen when the community divides itself into two groups; the wealthy and the poor; the families
whose roots run deep and the newcomers. There is a sense of inequality between sexes; where
women are not allowed to serve on the jury. Jem teases Scout about her gender, telling her that
she is getting more like a girl as time passes.

Morality : Morality is the main issue in the novel. The town is full of good people who want nothing
but the best for every citizen. For instance, Atticus does everything possible to instill morality in
his children's life. He reminds them that everyone is the same and should be treated equally.
However, the children's belief is shattered when they come into contact with the discrimination
of Maycomb during the court trial of Tom. He is sentenced regardless of the fake evidence
presented against him.

Symbols

Symbols are objects or figures that artists use to represent an idea.

The Mockingbird : The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and vulnerability. Numerous

characters lose their innocence in the novel, for instance, Tom Robinson loses his innocence
when he is killed, and the newspapers compare his death to the meaningless killing of a
songbird; which refers to Atticus' warning to his children about killing a Mockingbird as a sin
because a mockingbird does nothing but bring joy to people. In addition to that, the sheriff
dodges a situation of having to arrest Boo Radley because it would be like "shooting a
Mockingbird." Boo is very vulnerable and subjecting him to more hardship would not be fair.
Scout's last name Finch, another songbird, suggests that her innocence is very important to the
plot of the story.

Physical Challenges : The characters with physical challenges in the story include Tom Robinson
whose left hand is mangled; Jem breaks his hand badly that the damage remains permanent; Boo
Radley has very low self-esteem, and Atticus has poor eyesight. These physical challenges are a
symbol that everyone has a weakness which represents the damages brought about by situations
in life.
The Knothole : As a way to connect to the outside world as he has always wished, Boo leaves
mysterious gifts to Jem and Scout in the knothole. This is his way of connecting to people
without exposing himself to any danger. When Nathan Radley learns of Boo's tactic, he fills
the knothole with cement to keep Boo away from the outside world.

The Rabid Dog : Tim Johnson, a popular dog in Maycomb, falls sick and becomes a danger to the
community. The dog's illness is used to symbolize racism in the town. The same way sheriff
refused to bring justice in Tom Robinson's case, he refuses to shoot the dog and encourages
Atticus to fight it just the same way he fought for justice in the courtroom. Miss Maudie tells
Scout that she believes that Atticus “decided he wouldn't shoot till he had to, and he had to
today.”

Chapter 15

Summary

The following week, things seem better for Scout. Dill is staying for the summer, Jem agrees to assist
them in repairing the tree house, she is in good terms with her aunt, and Dill has set another plan to lure
out Boo. Sheriff Tate and a group of men, including Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Avery, come one day to
inform Atticus that Robinson was being transferred to the county jail because it was dangerous for him
to stay in the town jail a night before his trial. The reality of the case dawns on the family as Jem begins
to worry about his father. The following evening Atticus leaves for the town after supper, and the three
kids follow him sneakily. He camps out in front of the Maycomb jail as the kids watch from a distance.
Cars arrive, and men empty out, looking for Robinson. Scout runs to Atticus and Jem, and Dill is forced
to follow. A small struggle ensues, but Atticus refuses to let them through. When Scout identifies
Walter Cunningham's father, he tells him to say hello to his son; and her innocent request eases the
tension as the men drive away.

Analysis

The Tom Robinson trial is increasingly becoming a reality in Jem and Scout’s lives. To this point, the
issues with the trial have resulted into a few comments by classmates or neighbors, but the situation gets
more serious with the trial nearing. The genuine concern that Atticus shows when he learns that Tom is
being taken to Maycomb County jail makes Scout and Jem to see him in a new light. They begin to
appreciate him for his kindness and humility, and not just for being their father. The incident at the jail
shows the real strength of the Finch family. Jem, Scout, and Atticus stand up and defend each other
while relying on their personalities. Unlike the Finches, the members of the angry mob’s feelings are
indistinguishable from one another. When Scout singles out Walter Cunningham Sr. and asks after his
son, the mob feels mentally broken since one of them has been identified as an individual. The men who
once felt strong as a group now feel vulnerable and ashamed as individuals.

Chapter 16

Summary

After the incident with the mob the previous night, the Finch home is very tense. Alexandra is upset the
kids snuck out, while Atticus is glad, they showed up. As the jury selection for the case begins, Atticus
asks the kids to stay away from the courthouse that day. They are very curious because of the people
passing their house to the courthouse. During the afternoon session, they stop to pick up Dill and head to
the courthouse, where they find seats in ‘the Colored balcony.

Analysis

The family bond of the Finches is revealed to be even stronger in chapter 16 when Atticus reveals that
he protects his children, but they also protect him in a way. Even Dill feels the bond strongly, as
indicated by his comment about deterring “a hundred folks with our bare hands” which illustrates his
enthusiasm and loyalty to the Finches and that he does not yet possess the ability to examine and
observe one’s own mental and emotional processes that Jem has. As the trial begins, Maycomb is
revealed as a complex society full of prejudice, a symbol of the world at large.