To+Kill+a+Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

The novel centers around the Finch family, with father Atticus and two children: Jeremy (Jem) and Jean Louise (Scout). Set in a small Southern town in Alabama during the Great Depression, the novel unfolds through the eyes of an adult Scout reflecting on a series of events from her childhood that not only led to a broken arm for her brother but also changed everyone in the family's lives.

The heart of the conflict focuses on the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Given the historical context of the Jim Crow South, the word of a white woman invariably would have been believed over that of a black man. However, as the impassioned defender of Tom, Atticus reveals that the accusation lay not in the fact she was attacked but rather that Mayella had sought the only source of affection she knew or understood, sex, sadly learned at the hands of her father, from the only human being who had shown her any compassion in her life. When caught in her attempt to forge a connection, she cried rape so as to dispel the stigma of inter-racial relations. While the verdict is predictable for Maycomb, Alabama, circa 1936, it is in the time it takes to deliberate where progress is made.

The subplot of the novel involves the neighborhood bogeyman, Boo Radley, and the kids' determination in provoking an encounter. From their macabre fascination in his rumored history, illustrated in live re-enactments on the front lawn, to their repeatedly failed antics in approaching the house, Scout fails to see Boo's affection for them. He gives her a blanket when she needs it, sends them gifts anonymously, and ultimately gives them the greatest gift: their lives.

**Main Characters:** __**Jean Louise Finch (Scout)**__ is the adult speaker of the novel who is reflecting back on significant events from her childhood. She is a tomboy by nature and precocious for at a young age, having already mastered the ability to read and write before entering school at age 6. Motherless, she relates more with the men-folk as that is who inhabits her world, and she trusts the straightforwardness they seem to exude. She is honest, fiercely loyal to her father and brother, and begrudgingly obedient to rules, even when she doesn't like them. Lee develops her as a dynamic, round character. __**Jeremy Finch (Jem)**__ is Scout's brother, and as such is protective and a bit of a bully at times, mocking her for being a girl. He is often patient in explaining the ways of the world to her but impatient with how the world works. The story takes place during his teen years, and the angst that comes with that tumultuous times is a bit softened by the reason and logic instilled in him through his father. He likes to rough house but at the same time wants to be a gentleman to emulate his father, a clear sign of respect. His gradual and resistant acceptance of the sometimes-awful way the world works classifies him as dynamic and round. __**Atticus Finch**__ is the father of Scout and Jem and an attorney in Maycomb. Stoic and matter-of-fact, he embodies integrity in everything he does, from raising his children, to practicing law, to hunting animals. He loves his children despite a seemingly aloof demeanor, and struggles to raise them with dignity. His beliefs remain intact, classifying him as static and round. __**Dill**__ is the childhood friend who comes to stay in Maycomb every summer. A male companion for Jem and a crush for Scout, Dill provides comic relief and an oustider's perspective on the workings of Maycomb. While we only see him occasionally throughout the novel, he is flat, but we do witness his growth in understanding how the world works during the trial. Dynamic. __**Calpurnia**__ is the Finches' maid but truly functions as a mother to Jem and Scout. Disciplined, respectful, educated, affectionate, stern: these are all words to encapsulate her. She is well aware of how the world works, so she is unsurprised by the outcome of the trial. Round and static. __**Aunt Alexandra**__ is Atticus's foil, focused on the superficial. However, she does care for her brother, sacrificing her time to come stay when he takes the case and expressing concern for her brother when Tom is killed. Flat, Static. __**Tom Robinson**__ is the man accused of rape. He is compassionate, offering to help Mayella at times, physically disabled, and reputed to be a man of good character by those who testify on his behalf. Static, Flat. __**Robert E. Lee Ewell**__ is indignant to think anyone would dare take a black man's word over his, arrogant in his display in court, a drunk who spends the welfare money and hunts out of season, and an abuser of his children. He threatens Atticus, ultimately attacking him as a coward by going after his children. Static, Flat.
 * __Mayella Ewell__** accuses Tom of rape. Atticus's questions paint her as overwhelmed by the responsibility of taking care of a brood of children and lonely for affection. Static, Flat.
 * __Boo Radley__** is the neighborhood ghost, an enigma who turns out to be the hero of the story. Secluded and perhaps disabled, either physically or mentally, he is protective of the children to the point of risking his own life. Given we do not know much about him at the beginning, it is difficult to discern if he undergoes any change. Static, Flat.

**Motifs and Themes** Lee develops a series of motifs throughout the novel, including innocence, prejudice (racism and sexism), tolerance, integrity, socio-economic status, hypocrisy, etc. While they all are included, innocence and integrity are the most prevalent. Developed into a theme: //integrity is often the catalyst for personal and cultural growth.//


 * Literary Elements and Rhetorical Devices **
 * Symbols** of the Mockingbird, the gifts in the knothole
 * Irony**: Dolphus Raymond, the ladies' conversation, the teacher's condemnation of Hitler
 * Bildungsroman**: point-of-view as 1st person, limited, flashback
 * Foil**: Atticus and Alexandra
 * Imagery**: description of town to create historical and cultural contexts
 * Juxtaposition**: the two groups of men who visit Atticus, the Negro quarters with the Ewell house