Hamburger menu

  • Free Essays
  • Citation Generator

Preview

To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

To kill a mockingbird empathy essay.

You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around them. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the characters see people in different ways then they usually see them. In this book the story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama. Scout Finch the main character is a young girl who’s dad, Atticus is a lawyer who defends a black man Tom Robinson. Scout’s brother Jem and her friend Dill soon find out the real side of their town. In this book the characters Scout, Atticus, and Aunt Alexandre showed empathy.…

Grade 9 Essay - to Kill a Mockingbird

Morals generally make up a good person. To know all morals will make you great and wise. If what I say is true, then To Kill a Mockingbird could make you a much better person. In the book, the one who learns how to become mature, wise, have faith and learn life lessons and morals is Scout. She learns not to hurt the innocent, not to judge, and treat everyone as equals.…

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” –Atticus Finch. Atticus, his daughter Scout, one of his neighbours Mrs. Dubose, an innocent man accused wrongfully of rape Tom Robinson, and his children’s guardian angel Boo Radley, are all characters in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird who demonstrate the quality of courage. They also make it clear that courage is not necessarily risking physical danger, but a dedication to principles first and acceptance of consequences second.…

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Learning lessons is a very important part of growing up. Children learn new things every day of their life. Even adults learn something every once in a while. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the character Scout is very adventurous and loves to learn; she has many experiences that lead to her being taught many different things about life. On page 12 of Cliff Notes for this novel, John Sova writes “each experience is designed to give Scout a further understanding about certain things in life and about people. In one way or another, every episode leads to some type of learning experience for Scout”. Scout learns a lot of different things about her town’s views, the people who she’s heard about but never really knew, and how to treat others the proper way.…

To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird has multiple major themes that are outcomes of significant scenes throughout the book. One of the most well-known scene is the trial scene where Tom Robinson is found guilty for a crime he did not commit. Because Scout and Jem were at the trial, the verdict deeply affected their view on the goodness of the people of Maycomb. Lee throughout the novel explores the concept of human morality, the inherent goodness or malevolence of people and how it can have a positive or negative affect on people. Lee achieves this through the coming of age and development of Jem and Scout, and through the effect that human morality has on the characterization of the mockingbirds, Boo Radley…

To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay

How does an eight year old learn about the unknowns of life? In the book To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee the main character Scout is shown growing up. Scout's personality changes in many ways throughout the book.…

Essay Final To Kill A Mockingbird

Discuss the ideas developed by Lee Harper in To Kill a Mockingbird about the significance of idealism and truth in an individual’s life.…

Dolphus Raymond Quotes

To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical fiction written by Harper Lee. Scout, the protagonist and narrator grows into the ability to see events and ideals from the perspective of others as the book goes on. Atticus says and tries to teach Scout that one cannot understand someone unless one considers things from their point of view. Atticus shows this by living a thoughtful and not biased life. For example, the way he treats Tom Robinson during his conviction and also the entire black community of Maycomb, Alabama. Scout is able to see the true personalities of Dolphus Raymond and Boo Radley by seeing things from their perspectives, instead of seeing them by the stereotypes placed upon them. This book is told from the point of view of Scout,…

To Kill A Mockingbird Perspective Essay

Imagine reading an engrossing book, then the reader is told that there is one thing they can change from the book. They have so many options, the plot, title, main character, well...maybe the perspective? They would want to change the perspective! To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is told by a young girl, Scout. Although Scout gave an interesting perspective, she should not be the one to tell the story because it would have been more significant if it was written by another character and to understand their feelings on events throughout the book.…

To Kill a Mockingbird Lessons Essay Rough Draft

As children grow up, they often learn many lessons about life. Life lessons may be positive or negative, but all children are exposed to those as they mature to adulthood. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, reveals those lessons through Hem and Scout finch, children of Atticus Finch, a lawyer. Set in the 1930’s, Depression in Maycomb, Alabama, Scout and Jem gain many insights about life as they interact with the town’s various citizens. The life lessons they learn include showing courage in the face of difficulties, not judging others, and fighting against racial prejudice.…

To Kill a Mockingbird,ANALYTICAL ESSAY

Task: The novel teaches readers about the importance of maintaining personal integrity despite dominant social attitudes such as racial prejudice and discrimination?…

In the words of Anthony J. D’Angelo, “If you believe that discrimination exists, it will.” The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is set in the early thirties in the deep south of Alabama. Various characters are subjected to the old-fashioned ways of discrimination and inequity often found in such a setting. The main protagonist Scout attempts to grasp the concept and learns to live with prejudice in her life. Meanwhile, other characters struggle on a daily basis to find acceptance and, more prominently, justice. This novel contains various situations in which several personalities are persecuted as a result of their race, age and socio-economic standing. Undoubtedly, the unjust and dehumanizing effect of prejudice is one theme in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.…

To Kill a Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay

Essay Prompt: In a 1-2 page character analysis, explain what makes Atticus such a good parent, using quotes and evidence from the text to back up your claims.…

The valuable lessons that Atticus teaches and demonstrates to his children (Jem and Scout) in the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird are very crucial. Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to put themselves into other people’s skin before they pre-judge a person. Atticus also teaches the two children compassion and forgiveness. The children learn an important lesson not to kill a mocking bird during the novel from Atticus. Throughout the novel several incidents happen where Atticus teaches Scout and Jem these very valuable lessons.…

My Fear of Darkness (Creative Writing)

A cool wind began to blow, causing the leaves to rustle and the curtains to flap madly. I waved goodbye as my parents entered their car to go to their friend’s wedding. Shivering, I quickly entered the house and carried on watching my program until the lights flickered and went off. The television went crazy and went off too. Telling myself that it was just a blackout, I started to think where candles or torchlights could be found at and remembered my mother telling me there was some candles and matches in the kitchen at second cabinet.…

Importance Of Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

Show More The Branches of Perspective “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” Author Harper Lee clearly demonstrates the importance of perspective in this quote. She reminds us throughout her best-selling novel that a changed perspective and a loss of innocence fly side by side. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird , Harper Lee explores the idea of changing perspective through the staggering differences between the innocent views of a child, and the more cynical, realistic views of those close to adulthood. One way Lee explores the idea of changing and contrasting perspectives is through Jem’s loss of innocence. An initial author choice that clearly expresses a shift in Jem’s character is his reaction …show more content… It’s important to note that Lee’s use of the oak tree and cement is metaphorical for the cruelty that outsiders receive. Another incident that highlights how children’s perspectives change as they grow is Jem’s unexpected reaction to Mrs. Dubose’s torments. Her constant racism had ruffled his feathers considerably. As stated on page 104, Atticus “never thought Jem would be the one to lose his head over this.” This statement further proves the drastic differences between naive children and informed adolescents. An important author choice regarding this incident is that the flowers Jem tried to destroyed were white camellias. This floral piece is symbolic of Maycomb’s deep rooted racism. The fact that despite Jem, whose character represents goodness; his name itself means “to uplift”, tearing off all the tops of the flowers, they still flourish. Much like racism, they must be removed from the roots, as stated by Mrs. Dubose on page 110. A final example of Jem’s perspective evolution is his fall from faith at the trial. Lee’s choice to have such a build up in belief regarding Atticus’s abilities, such as Jem’s assurance in victory, page 202, and his optimistic attitude regarding the jury 's decision, page 210, …show more content… This is shown through another example of perspective change, this time regarding the children’s interaction with Boo Radley. It’s important to note that Harper Lee’s line of events involving the children and Boo mimics the story of Adam and Eve . A detail that supports this idea is Scout’s tom-boy appearance, as it makes her more Adam-like. Also, her unflinching ability to follow Jem parallels the way Adam caves into temptation after Eve does. Other details that hint at a biblical allusion are the use of chinaberries on the night the children go to the Radley place (page 57); these berries represent the fruit of knowledge. As well, the constant image painted by Harper Lee of Atticus being surrounded by light, such as on page 151, makes us picture him as god-like, and therefore represents God in the Adam and Eve parallel. Much like Adam and Eve and their worldview revelations, the children’s perspective of Boo changes drastically with added knowledge. For example, when the children are young, they view Boo Radley as a “malevolent phantom” (page 8). This author choice indicates that the children don’t see Boo clearly. Instead they see him with a perspective blurred by prejudice, much like the foggy image associated with ghosts. As the children grow, their perspective on Boo changes. This is shown through the comfortability the children have when

Related Documents

To kill a mockingbird loss of innocence analysis.

Everyone goes through life growing up and maturing. Even though Harper Lee emphasizes the effects of hardships in one's childhood leading to the loss of innocence and purity. (In Lee’s book we are introduced to children who are going through something not every kid goes through. They witness the effects of the trial first hand. The stress of the trial on their father, the brutality towards Atticus and Tom, and the unfairness of it all.…

Empathy And Compassion In To Kill A Mockingbird

Being empathetic to others is not easy, but once it is learned, getting along with people will become easier. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about Jean “Scout” Louise Finch growing up in the town of Maycomb and learning about the world through her father, Atticus’s lessons. Atticus teaches Scout and her brother, Jem, how to react in situations involving Boo Radley, an unseen neighbor, Tom Robinson, a black man going through a trial, and other social groups of Maycomb. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee uses Atticus and his children to show that a person putting himself in a different perspective can open up understandings of others.…

Boo Radley Maturity

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is about a young girl, Scout, her brother, Jem, and their friend, Dill living in Maycomb County during the early 1930s. The three children hear stories about their neighbor, Arthur “Boo” Radley, and decide they want to try to get him out of his house. A few unsuccessful summers later, Scout’s father, Atticus, is a lawyer that has been assigned a colored man’s case. The man, Tom Robinson, was accused of raping a white woman. As the children know this isn’t true, they don’t understand why he was found guilty.…

How Does Jem Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

Jem ’s conflict with Mrs. Dubose results in a falling out, which causes him to be a better person. Mrs. Dubose makes Jem angry by insulting him and his family, so he snaps and “cut[s] off the tops of every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose own[s]” (Lee, 118). He soon realizes that he had reacted harshly, leading him to clean “it up for her” (Lee, 120) and “sa[y] [he] was sorry”…

To Kill A Mockingbird Perspective Analysis

“A child educated only through school is an uneducated child,” as said by George Santayana, an Italian philosopher and novelist. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters clearly show how important it is to understand morals and perspectives. Through many conflicts and misunderstandings, the adults in the novel educate the children about the basis of accepting and understanding one another and how important it is. The most significant theme shown through the narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is the education of children in morals and perspectives is important, this theme is shown through three events, being taught morals, demonstrating them, and how learning them has affected them. One piece of morals that…

Boo Radley Coming Of Age Essay

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, Lee puts the spotlight on 2 young children named Jem and Scout Finch who were, out of the few children, growing up in Maycomb County, Alabama. Throughout the plot, the pair with goes many coming of age experiences. Scout, being the protagonist, tells us her point of view about the external conflicts that she encounters such as conversing with Jem about how she labels people in the world of racial unjust that the book takes place in. Thus the conversation leads to the children's realization of why Boo Radley won’t leave his home due to the way society is labeling people and how society mistreats people with colored skin. This chapter is key to Scouts coming of age experience that was developed by external conflicts, point of view, and the growth of the plot.…

How Does Atticus Finch Show Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

When Scout approaches her brother and her friend, she recalls, “Jem said placidly, ‘We are going to give a note to Boo Radley,’ ‘Just how?’ I was trying to fight down the automatic terror rising in me” (62). Scout feels the terror because she believes the the gossip and superstition she has heard, but fails to question it and attempt to look at the situation from his perspective. This renders her to unable to practice empathy. When Atticus catches them, he attempts to make them see Boo Radley’s perspective by “climbing into his skin and walking around in it.”…

Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Empathy is challenging to give or have when one has not taken the time to think about the different situations each person has experienced in their lifetime. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, she demonstrates how fully knowing a person can be difficult to do, especially when untruthful statements block the real facts about that person. Through the use of the characters Scout Finch and Dolphus Raymond, Lee portrays that empathy and understanding who someone is, is not easy to do until one puts themselves into another point of view. Harper Lee uses Scout’s thoughts to display that Scout had to actually stand on Boo Radley’s porch to see what the world seemed like in his eyes. At the beginning of the story, all Scout knew about Boo…

Influences In To Kill A Mockingbird

The second instance was when he took the Tom Robinson case just to make his kids respect him and for them to know not to back down and quit on something and a quote for this is “ you might hear some ugly talk about me at school, but do one thing for me if you will; you just hold your head high and keep the fists down”(lee 101). and it shows that he knows that he is gonna get crap about the case but he has to do it for himself and his kids to respect him. And one more thing is at the end of the story when Bob Ewell died he thought it was Jem and he wanted Jem to go through the court system so the town wouldn’t think he got out of it cuse atticus is a lawyer and he want the kids to face up to things but a quote to kinda show what is being said is “ Jem's not quite thirteen, no, he’s already thirteen, i can’t remember, anyway it’ll come before the county court”(lee 365).…

How Does Lee Use Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

Using Empathy in Everyday Life In Harper Lee’s book “To Kill a Mockingbird”, two children and their father (a lawyer) in a small town defending an innocent black man in court. The narrator's perspective of the town and the people changed throughout the story by the experiences she had. People will understand how you feel after something has happened in your life once it happens in theirs. The kids go to Mrs. Dubose’s house when their dad tells them to go read to her.…

What Is The Importance Of Understanding In To Kill A Mockingbird

Albert Einstein once stated, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Though somewhat ambiguous, Harper Lee truly represents the notion of understanding in her masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee’s novel illustrates the importance of attempting to understand someone and thereby valuing them as a human being. Everyday there exists one or more opportunities to show empathy and compassion, though only are brave few are willing to rise to the occasion.…

Theme Of Perception In To Kill A Mockingbird

Her perspective had seen to change of the children after this time. This can be seen when she leaves Jem a perfect flower and a book.…

Essay On Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Loss of Innocence All children are born with innocence and as they grow, that innocence turns into respect. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, readers are introduced to a variety of characters whose innocence is lost. This novel demonstrates that as one experiences cruel reality, they lose innocence and gain a greater respect for others. As one experiences racism firsthand, they lose innocence and realize how everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Exposure to fear, and learning to overcome that fear, allows one to both lose innocence and to have a greater respect for things they have taken for granted.…

Importance Of Point Of View In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

How can one individual person's point of view change how someone looks at another person? In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee so many people step into others shoes to understand them. If they would not have done that then so many things could have went wrong in the book, but because they took the time and seen it from another character's perspective then they stopped a lot of violence. An important theme in this novel is to see from someone else's point of view. This example is important because it proves how family members can see from other siblings perspective.…

Jem Finch Character Development In To Kill A Mockingbird

They suddenly get into a debacle. Jem retaliates to her comments by saying, “...I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that 's what they seemed like.” (288). Jem’s negative comment of the town the whole ‘Finch’ name evolved from shows his displeasure in the recents events. He sees how corrupt small, family-tied communities can be.…

Related Topics

  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Truman Capote
  • Adam and Eve
  • Monroeville

Ready To Get Started?

  • Create Flashcards
  • Mobile apps
  •   Facebook
  •   Twitter
  • Cookie Settings

preview

To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

To kill a mockingbird perspective essay.

Understanding perspective is essential to understanding people. Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird presents this idea in multiple passages of her writing. It can be seen in the rough, unknown troubles that people face despite their wrongful actions. As well as the rumours that are untrue and give complete false impressions of people. Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird uses these topics to illustrate the dangers of judging others before getting to know them.

Examples Of Bildungsroman In To Kill A Mockingbird

Some people never change – you just get to know them better. To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is a complex novel about a young girl, Scout, learning about the world of Maycomb with her brother Jem and friend Dill. Harper Lee uses To Kill a Mockingbird to show how the perception of the unknown changes with age and knowledge through Bildungsroman and Othering aspects throughout the novel. This is mainly displayed in Scout’s constantly changing idea of, and attitude towards, Boo Radley.

To Kill A Mockingbird 5 Paragraph Essay

Throughout most novels, characters encounter obstacles or events that once faced change their lives for the better or worse. In this book, that obstacle is racism. This is evident in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird when ... ____________________. Due to... ____________________. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell each encounter racism in different ways; however, they all suffer as a result.

Immature In To Kill A Mockingbird

Introduction: “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” Scout doesn't understand that yet. Until the ending of the book she learns that speech Atticus gave her.

To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird is the story of the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson for the raping of a white woman, Mayella Ewell, in racist Alabama in the 1990’s.

Essay about To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

From this, one can see that Scout is still in a juvenile state of mind. Furthermore, one can see how the beliefs of the townspeople have been transferred to Scout, who had taken them as they are considered the social norm. She unknowingly accepts their racism when she thinks of Dolphus Raymond as a “sinful man” because he associates himself with black people and “…had mixed children and didn’t care who knowed it.” (201) She does not understand why he freely displays his transgression to the town when it is acknowledged as a wrong thing to do in Maycomb. However, Scout slowly starts to develop her own sense of right and wrong and create her own judgments of others. Boo was once the monster of her childhood, but after witnessing his cordial and courageous actions, she realizes that “he hadn’t done any of those things…he was real nice.” (281) In the end, Scout matures and sheds her childhood nickname to become the young lady called “Jean Louise” by family and friends. (211, 224, 229) This change in Scout is a result of her loss of innocence and is a focal point in the novel to give a thought-provoking perspective on the events of the book.

To Kill A Mockingbird Perspectives Essay

Perspectives can change beliefs in many ways. In Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, Bob Ewell hears and sees Atticus defending Tom Robinson who is black, therefore, he believes Atticus ‘loves niggers’. Jem, Scout, and Dill have never seen Boo Radley come out at day and they hear rumors that Boo only comes out at night. People believe rumors and their perspectives until they get the truth and change their beliefs.

To Kill A Mockingbird Response Essay

The novel To Kill A Mockingbird is successful in delivering the story in a manner that captivates the audience. The story began by setting the scene, mood and also by introducing each character, which familiarized the reader with the environment. The author wrote the story in a manner that flowed with real life events of a time relative to the story, such as the segregation, racism and any financial struggles. It also did well to give each character a realistic mindset and reactions based on each person’s respective characterization. In a similar way, the story was written from the perspective of Scout, and the story was effectively narrated with the innocence and a lesser knowledge coming from someone of her age. Additionally, the story did a particularly good job at introducing details that were important to the story as it progressed so there were no surprises based on a sudden law change, for example. This aided in building the story to its climax, and other peaks of action. Each element to the story worked in sync to maneuver easily through the plot in a well thought out and executed story.

How To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

I grew up in a home where my parents taught us to serve our country, community and those around us. They taught me through example, my father was a scout leader when I was a child. He often took me camping and to merit badge Pow Wow’s. As a boy I began to dream about becoming a boy scout. When I became old enough I joined the cub scouts. While in Cub scouts I learned about being part of the pack, about working together to accomplish large projects, to work together to accomplish a larger goal. Then when I was older I was able to join the boy scouts they taught me about being a citizen in the community, about being a good neighbor. They taught me about doing a good turn daily, and being prepared. When I was 13, I became a life scout. Being a life scout is not anything special, other than I was able to start working on my eagle project.

To Kill A Mockingbird Dbq Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird was a very influential book in the eyes of a growing young woman in America in the 1930’s from the eyes of Jean Louise as a child and Jean reminiscing or reflecting as an adult about the past. Mayella Ewell was a white woman who was looked down upon by her own race and the African Americans were too scared to talk to her. Mayella was looked at to be powerless over her own life and others. If she is, then why does she win the case against Tom Robinson? In the town of Maycomb race, class, and gender played larger roles than some may think let's determine how.

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

“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”. Discuss this quote from Atticus in relation to 3 characters from the novel.

Scout's Innocent Nature in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

First of all, Lee’s critical tone of prejudice is demonstrated by Scout’s innocent curiosity and perception of her surrounding society. Specifically, Lee’s critical tone is illustrated by Scout’s curiosity and the numerous questions she asks her family members throughout the duration of the novel. For example, when Scout raises questions to her Aunt Alexandra concerning her prejudice towards the Cunningham family, her innocence is exhibited by her desire to understand the world, but also to question it. A specific example of Scout’s curiosity is when Aunt Alexandra informs Scout not to invite Walter over for dinner, which leads Scout to ask “Why not, Aunty? They’re good folks” (223). Aunt Alexandra responds with: “The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (224). Aunt Alexandra’s response exemplifies her prejudice towards the structure of the social classes in Maycomb County. However, Scout’s innocent nature enables her to remain uncorrupted by prejudice and to question the unquestionable. Lee’s use of a child as a narrator allows her to ask the tough questions regarding Maycomb County’s way of life and question why it is prejudiced towards a certain individual or group of individuals. Moreover, Harper Lee’s choice of narration

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird a major theme is the loss of innocence. Whether from emotional abuse, racial prejudice or learning, Boo, Tom, and Scout all lose their innocence in one sense or another. The prejudice that each character endures leads to their loss. Through the responses of Boo, Tom, and Scout, Harper Lee shows how each character responded differently to their loss of innocence.

To Kill A Mockingbird Flashback Analysis

In short, Harper Lee eloquently utilizes flashbacks for the effects of setting the tone, giving context and providing a solution. In the beginning they help emphasize Scout’s buried feelings, in the middle they contribute

Character Analysis Of Scout In To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is one of the main characters and the narrator. During the time the book begins, she is a little 6 year-old girl who is mature for her age, and she continues to mature as the book progresses. Over the course of the novel, Scout develops an exceptional character which is constantly changing from the effects of different events and characters. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee uses the minor characters Boo Radley, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra to help develop Scout into a strong and compassionate human being from the innocent child she used to be.

Related Topics

  • Unreliable narrator
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Perspective
  • Truman Capote
  • One Thousand and One Nights

Study Guide: Where the Crawdads Sing

Suggestions

  • Don Quixote
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
  • Much Ado About Nothing
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
  • The Odyssey

Please wait while we process your payment

Reset Password

Your password reset email should arrive shortly..

If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.

Something went wrong

Log in or create account.

  •   Be between 8-15 characters.
  •   Contain at least one capital letter.
  •   Contain at least one number.
  •   Be different from your email address.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

Don’t have an account? Subscribe now

Create Your Account

Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial

  • Ad-free experience
  • Note-taking
  • Flashcards & Quizzes
  • AP® English Test Prep
  • Plus much more

Already have an account? Log in

Choose Your Plan

Group Discount

$4.99 /month + tax

$24.99 /year + tax

Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!

Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?

Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!

$24.99 $18.74   / subscription + tax

Subtotal $37.48 + tax

Save 25% on 2-49 accounts

Save 30% on 50-99 accounts

Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.

Payment Details

Payment Summary

SparkNotes Plus

 Change

You'll be billed after your free trial ends.

7-Day Free Trial

Not Applicable

Renews December 13, 2023 December 6, 2023

Discounts (applied to next billing)

SNPLUSROCKS20  |  20% Discount

This is not a valid promo code.

Discount Code (one code per order)

SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan - Group Discount

SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected] . Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.

For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!

You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.

Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.

Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.

Your PLUS subscription has expired

  • We’d love to have you back! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
  • Go ad-free AND get instant access to grade-boosting study tools!
  • Start the school year strong with SparkNotes PLUS!
  • Start the school year strong with PLUS!

To Kill a Mockingbird

  • Study Guide
  • Mastery Quizzes
  • Infographic

Unlock your FREE SparkNotes PLUS trial!

Unlock your free trial.

  • Ad-Free experience
  • Easy-to-access study notes
  • AP® English test prep

Point of View

To Kill a Mockingbird is written in the first person, with Jean “Scout” Finch acting as both the narrator and the protagonist of the novel. Because Scout is only six years old when the novel begins, and eight years old when it ends, she has an unusual perspective that plays an important role in the work’s meaning. In some ways, because she is so young, Scout is an unreliable narrator. Her innocence causes her to misunderstand and misinterpret things. She considers her father “feeble” because he is “nearly fifty,” which to a child seems ancient but to an adult is middle-aged. When Dill tells her he wants to “get us a baby,” Scout is unclear on how babies are made, thinking possibly God drops them down the chimney.

  Read more about utilizing the perspective of a child narrator in Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street .

The reader often has to do the work of interpretation to understand what characters are actually talking about, or judge the severity of a situation. At the same time, Scout’s innocence makes her more trustworthy as a narrator than an adult might be, in that she lacks the sophistication to shape her story or withhold information for her own benefit.

While Scout remains the narrator throughout the book, her involvement in the events she describes changes once Tom Robinson’s trial becomes the focus. At this point, Scout becomes more of an observer. Although there are some moments when she plays an active role in the events, such as the scene where she and Jem stop the mob from storming the jailhouse before the trial, for the most part the protagonist of these scenes is her father, Atticus.

During the trial, lengthy passages are related directly as dialogue. Unlike the earlier summaries that Scout uses to describe events, here the story slows to follow the trial sentence-by-sentence. We have no reason to believe Scout is misinterpreting events, because her descriptions of the action are straightforward and largely visual. “Mr. Tate blinked and ran his hands through his hair,” “his legs were crossed and one arm was resting on the back of his chair.” The only indication of Scout’s inability to understand events is her faith that her father will win the trial. At the end of the novel, when the trial is over and Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem on Halloween, Scout is once more at the center of events.

The use of a child narrator enables the reader to see the action through fresh eyes, but Scout’s age also limits the narrative, especially in its treatment of race. While she understands Tom’s conviction is unfair, Scout accepts much of the institutionalized racism of the town. She sentimentalizes Calpurnia without considering how Calpurnia herself feels about devoting her entire life to the Finch family, at times sleeping on a cot in their kitchen and raising Scout and Jem as her own children. Atticus challenges some of Scout’s overtly racist statements, and corrects her in her use of the n-word.

But Lee presents other stereotypes without commentary, such as Scout’s statement “the sheriff hadn’t the heart to put him in jail alongside the Negroes,” or her observation “the warm, bittersweet smell of clean Negro welcomed us,” or Jem’s suggestion that “colored folks” don’t show their age “because they can’t read.” Because there is no separation from the narrator and the protagonist, it is difficult to determine if Lee is critiquing or supporting Scout’s limited perspective on events. When reading the novel, it is important to remember it was written in 1960 and realize that while many aspects of Lee’s representation of racism remain relevant today, other aspects are dated and require further examination.

To Kill a Mockingbird SparkNotes Literature Guide

Ace your assignments with our guide to To Kill a Mockingbird ! 

Popular pages: To Kill a Mockingbird

Part one, chapter 1 summary, full book analysis summary, character list characters, scout finch characters, themes literary devices, prejudice quotes, full book quick quizzes, take a study break.

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

Search

What Is The Point Of View Of To Kill A Mockingbird

Point of view The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is in 1st person perspective, because Scout is telling the story. It starts off Scout at a young age of six and as the story progresses she matures as a young lady to the age of 8. It is told in present tense from Scouts perspective. The protagonist is Scout, Jem, and Atticus. The case of Tom Robinson, the Radley’s, and Mr. Ewell are the antagonists. Scout and Jem have to overcome the obstacles of the Radley’s and Mr.Ewells, while Atticus has to overcome the obstacles of the Tom Robinson’s case with threats for defending a black man. For perspective it has no alterations the story always remains with scout telling the story. For this novel being in first person it limits on all the extra thoughts …show more content…

He did nothing wrong, but he was black and crippled so they sought an opportunity to shoot him when he was jumping the fence. “Seventeen bullet holes in him” (Lee 315) they shouldn’t have shot him so many times for him with two bad arms they could’ve easily caught him. Atticus was another mockingbird, for the reason that he defended a black man, which was uncommon for a white man to do such a thing. Atticus had the greatest intentions for helping someone and this makes him symbolic to a mockingbird. Boo Radley in the later years was respectable and can be considered to be a mockingbird. He would give scout things such as carvings, gum, pocket watch, and a blanket when the neighbor’s house burnt down. Boo Radley was one the most symbolic of a mockingbird because he never wanted harm; he protected anyone that was near Bob Ewell when he tried to kill the young kids Jem and Scout. They tried to say it was Boo who killed Mr. Ewell, but “it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird.” This novel has a lot of symbolism to a mockingbird with Scout, Jem, Atticus, and Boo is representing the cover of the book for “ To Kill a Mockingbird .” The title lets us know that it is a sin “To Kill a Mockingbird” and even though Boo killed Mr. Ewell he gets away with it because it’ll be a sin to kill …show more content…

Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39). This gives us the prospective of another person. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. “Your father does not know how to teach.” The teacher is basically saying that Scouts father is stupid and doesn’t know anything. “As Dill explained, I found myself wondering what life would be if Jem were different, even from what he was now; what I would do if Atticus did not feel the necessity of my presence, help and advice. Why, he couldn’t get along a day without me. Even Calpurnia couldn’t get along unless I was there. They needed me.” This is a memorable quote because it shows that they depend on who you are. “First of all,” he said, “If you can learn a simple trick, scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view---“Sir?” “---until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”(Lee 39). This memorable quote shows that you don’t judge a person right away unless you know the specific reason why they are doing it to completely understand them. “Tom’s dead.”(Lee 315) “They shot him”(Lee 315) this memorable quote was very sad they shot Tom for jumping a fence during exercise “seventeen bullet holes in him”(Lee 315) this was unfair they didn’t have to shoot him so many times this was the whole case thrown away.

In this essay, the author

  • Analyzes how the novel to kill a mockingbird is told in 1st person perspective, because scout is telling the story. the protagonists are scout, jem, and atticus.
  • Analyzes how harper lee wanted the viewers of the book to fit into scouts shoes to experience the same obstacles that she had.
  • Analyzes how the title "to kill a mockingbird" makes you think that you are going to try and kill something peaceful and harmless.
  • Compares tom robinson's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds. atticus was symbolic of a mockingbird and boo radley was respectable.
  • Analyzes how scout, jem, atticus, and boo represent the cover of the novel "to kill a mockingbird." the title tells us that it's sin to kill mr. ewell.
  • Analyzes how the quote shows that you don't judge a person right away unless you know the specific reason why they are doing it to completely understand them.
  • Analyzes how harper lee gives vivid detail to make it seem as if we are in the position of scout and jem.
  • Analyzes how social segregation was a key factor for setting in the small town of maycomb, alabama in 1933.
  • Analyzes how harper lee has a spiteful tone against racism and social segregation. jem, scout, and atticus fought the case of tom robinson because the jury was racist, but tom was black and stood no chance.
  • Analyzes how harper lee uses informal grammar and slang to describe maycomb, exemplifying the hot summer day and the humidity of the rainy weather. scout is influenced by friends, and atticus doesn't spend much time with her.
  • Analyzes how the theme for the novel is about a mockingbird, and the moral of the story.

Click here to unlock this and over one million essays

Scouts Journey in Harper Lee´s To Kill a Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout Finch tries to please her father, but living with no mother it’s hard to know how to act. It’s natural to follow Jem, her brother, when that is her only friend through out the years. Imagine hearing gossip about your father from friends, neighbors, and even your own cousin. Scout had to push through all of the gossip and believe in her father. Throughout the novel Scout shows how social she can be. To Kill a Mockingbird is a great novel that keeps you reading. Scout has a positive effect on events such as at the jail, she was the reason that the mob left. She also always curious so she is more mature than most kids her age. Through the journey of the trial she shows how hot-tempered, tomboyish, and mature she can be.

Atticus Finch Conflicts

Point of view: 1st person limited point of view. We read the story through “Scout” Finch’s eyes.

Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee introduces Scout as an insensible tomboy caught in the midst of contrite prejudicial conception. She has not yet discovered what is right and wrong due to various misconceptions that the people of Maycomb influence her with. ?Don?t say nigger, Scout. That?s common? (75). This particular quote is said by Atticus, Scout?s father, while referring to Scout?s racial ignorance towards African Americans. This quote portrays her social standing at the beginning of the novel as she tends to act ignorant by speaking with rude racial terms. ?Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand? I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough?? (92). This quote expressed by Atticus describes Scout?s mental and emotional state near the dawning of the novel. Scout is given influential lessons through the form of words on what to think therefore she is misguided by false pretenses. These ?pretenses? may be misleading, consequently Scout is basing her beliefs about prejudice on the conceptions of others instead of what Scout truly believes. Although Scout?s ...

walking in someone else's skin

If one considers the points of view of others, they can understand situations and others more effectively. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are characters who strive to walk in other people’s shoes. Atticus demonstrates his philosophy of life by thinking about situations from other people’s perspectives, which later influences Jem and Scout to do the same.

To Kill A Mocking Bird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Twelve Angry men by Reginald Rose and The Scottsboro Trial are all about unfair trials containing discrimination towards different people and people being prejudice .The peoples action towards the defendants affected them for the rest of their life. Many of the people that came into the court brought in their own social problems and that influenced the verdict.

To Kill A Mockingbird Perspective Essay

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee includes many contrasting perspectives that provide an understanding into each character’s attitude as well as what was anticipated of people at the time. The book is the story of a young girl, Jean Louise, her father, Atticus and brother, Jem, in a small town called Maycomb, which is racially segregated during the time of the great depression. As Jean Louise, otherwise known by her nickname Scout, reflects on her childhood with her brother, Jem, the reader is able to see and hear the story as she relives the events in her memory. Scout tells the story around the time she was almost six years old, and she is living with her ten year old brother, Jem, and her father Atticus, “the lawyer who defends Tom Robinson” (Saney). The quarrels between characters regarding racial oppression and gender roles throughout the novel cause tension and uproar in the town, as each person has their own perspective on a situation. The novel opens with Jean Louise reflecting on past events with her brother Jem, and it leads into the first perspective of a child against the adult perspective.

Hypocrisy In To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows the reality of the world in the 1930s through the point of view of a little girl named Scout. She starts as a carefree tomboy, but learns to be more ladylike as the story continues. Her life really starts to change during a trial where her father is defending a black man. Also, she learns that killing a mockingbird is a sin.Overall, she grows up throughout the book, and starts to realize all the issues of Maycomb.

To Kill A Mockingbird: A Timeless Classic

Harper Lee’s only book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is the stereotypical tale of childhood and innocence, yet it successfully incorporates mature themes, like the racism in the South at the time, to create a masterpiece of a work that has enraptured people’s minds and hearts for generations. According to esteemed novelist Wally Lamb, “It was the first time in my life that a book had sort of captured me. That was exciting; I didn’t realize that literature could do that” (111). Scout’s witty narration and brash actions make her the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for, and the events that take place in Maycomb County are small-scale versions of the dilemmas that face our world today. Mockingbird is a fantastically written novel that belongs on the shelves for classic literature that everyone should take the time to read and appreciate for their execution of style and the importance of their content.

To Kill a Mocking Bird is narrated retrospectively from the view of Scout, the daughter of Atticus Finch a lawyer of Maycomb, and younger sister of Jem. The informal vocabulary of the narration is still good enough to suggest it is spoken from the view of an adult Scout, (looking back at her childhood) but is casual enough to be understood by most readers.

  • To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a fictional story in which a black man is accused of a crime against the daughter of one of the most hateful, racist men in all of Maycomb, Alabama. Though the book is considered fictional, it couldn’t be any more real. Nine black men were “hoboing” a train and ended up being accused of a crime against two white women and known as vial criminals throughout the south. This incident became known as the Scottsboro trial. Although the book To Kill a Mockingbird and the Scottsboro trial are very similar, they are also quite different.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Miss Harper Lee has chosen Scout as a first person narrator in this story. This narrative technique has many strengths and some weaknesses. Scout is a bright, sensitive and intelligent little girl. For all her intelligence, she is still a child and does not always fully understand the implications of the events she reports. This is sometimes amusing, as the time she thinks Miss Maudie's loud voice scares Miss Stephanie. Scout does her best to inform us of the happenings at the Tom Robinson trial. Yet, she is not certain what rape is, and is neither aware of the prejudice state surrounding her. Ultimately she represents the innocence within society.

so that he once dared Jem to go to the door of the Radley place and

In the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, an ongoing theme throughout the book is it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This theme comes from Atticus instructing Jem not to shoot mockingbirds with his air rifle, because it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie tells Scout that Atticus is correct; mockingbirds don’t do anything to disturb people, all they do is sing beautifully for everyone to hear. Author Harper Lee shows this theme using characterization.

to kill a mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.

To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...

More about What Is The Point Of View Of To Kill A Mockingbird

Related topics.

  • Atticus Finch
  • Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
  • Truman Capote

ipl-logo

Point Of View In To Kill A Mockingbird

How does lee use empathy in to kill a mockingbird.

“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.” (Lee 39). Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout Finch’s childhood as she grows up in a rural Alabama county during the 1930’s. She and her brother Jem have many adventures in their youth and are raised by their single father Atticus. As they grow up they start to learn the importance of empathy especially when dealing with the racial prejudice that many people around them have.

Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses point of view to show that empathy is developed from maturity and experience. The main protagonist Scout sees her neighbor Boo Radley as a malicious apparition. In the town of Maycomb where Scout and her family live there is rumor of a dangerous beast-like man called Boo Radley who lives near Scout and never leaves his home. Scout, Jem, and Dill are equally terrified of the Radley house and there are several rumors going around that the pecans from the Radley's tree are poisonous and that Boo watches people through their windows at night.

Who Is Miss Maudie's Coming Of Age In To Kill A Mockingbird

Many children have adults in their lives who influence the way they turn out in the future. These people can affect the children in negative or positive ways. Scout learns the importance of respect from Calpurnia, the ways of the world, how to live life to the fullest, and walking in someone else’s shoes to understand them throughout the entirety of To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee truly portrays Scout ’s coming of age by using the character’s Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Atticus as very important role models in Scout’s life.

How Do People Shape Children In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee uses Characterization to show the reader of her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, how different people and events impact children as they grow up and shape the kind of adults they will turn out to be. She shows how the people of Maycomb influenced Jem and how Scout’s view was changed by a single person. Lee also makes it evident that one event can change children’s entire perception of the

Scout Finch Coming Of Age Analysis

(Need a hook). The author uses of view of a child, Scout Finch, along with two other children, Jem Finch and Dill, to show the innocence of children is taken away from the coming of age. She uses a trial against a black man raping a white girl to show how children are innocent. Harper Lee uses life lessons to show that Scouts coming of age. Scout says, “Atticus had said it was the polite thing to talk to people about what they were interested in, not about what you were interested in” (Lee 129).

Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

When one grows up, it is inevitable they will lose their innocence. Seeing the world through rose colored glasses can only take one so far, and eventually they will have to open their eyes to real issues in their lives. While this happens at different ages for everyone, Atticus in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee believes that his kids should not be sheltered from the real world. As Scout and Jem, Atticus’ children, grow up, especially in a time where Maycomb is so segregated, Atticus teaches his kids real life lessons and to not become like the rest of their town; racist and judgemental. This comes with a cost, however, as the kids “grow up” at an expedited rate.

To Kill A Mockingbird Critical Lens Analysis

Literature can be analyzed with many different critical lenses. While analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird, one may use a critical lens to recognize the different ideas throughout the novel. Harper Lee’s novel demonstrates her perspective on intolerance and discrimination within the early twentieth century. Firstly, intolerance of people who are different is very prevalent within the novel.

Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird

Perspective and beliefs have a huge effect in the world and especially back in the 1930s. This is about the perspective on Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird and how it affects his beliefs. He has three quotes that really explain how perspective and beliefs that affect their everyday lives. The first quote is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

To Kill A Mockingbird Coming Of Age

In the beginning of the book in chapter 3 Scout is shouted on her first day of school for knowing how to read, and for trying to help Miss Caroline by explaining who Walter Cunning is and that she has shamed him. Atticus tells Scout that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around it. In the early chapters the kids are

Thesis Statement For To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Final Essay Outline: Thesis Statement/opening paragraph: In the story To Kill A Mockingbird, discrimination and the act of being prejudice is common among the main characters, on both the receiving and serving end. Certain characters, like Scout and Jeremy Finch, Bob Ewell, and the town folk truly create the main problem and set the theme of the story. For example, when Bob Ewell accuses Atticus Finch of being an african-american lover, because he is defending Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, according to Bob. Boo Radley is accused of being dead by Scout, Jem and Dill.

To Kill A Mockingbird Thematic Statement

The theme of this novel is "Not everything is the way you predict it is". I believe this thematic statement suits the story because throughout the book there are lots of surprises, and most situations don't go the way people predict they will. For example, Aunt Alexandra was first seen as mean, according to her attitude towards Scout. At the end of the book Aunt Alexandra hands Scout her overalls, as mentioned in the story, "the garments she most despised." Because she always wanted Scout to be a lady and wear dresses.

To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

In society, there are very few people who have the unwavering dedication to stand up for what they believe. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a black man was convicted and accused of a crime he didn 't commit, raping a white women, which is not in anyway tolerable in society. In Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird, the author used point of view and symbolism to acknowledge how the the several social divisions which make up much of the adult world are shown to be both irrational and extremely destructive. To begin with, the short story To Kill A Mockingbird, used point of view to show how the many social divisions in the world are irrational and destructive. Scout; a first grade student at the time, was telling the story from her point of view and what had occurred from her childhood perspective.

Examples Of Personal Values In To Kill A Mockingbird

Atticus has molded his children by exposing them to people in the town of Maycomb who have questionable morals in order to teach his children acceptance. Jem and Scout live in a primarily racist society and learn quickly that the children's

Scout Finch Character Analysis Essay

Atticus is also very cautious about how he explains certain delicate topics to her, such as when she brings up the issue of rape he says that “Rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.” (Page 149) explaining it in such a manner that she is still a bit curious as to the nature of rape yet does not inquire further and lets it go. " 'I asked him if I was a problem and he said not much of one, at most one he could always figure out, and not to worry my head a second about botherin ' him.” (Page 249)These lines show how skilled Atticus is not only in comforting his children but also in showing them how much they mean to him. The relationship between Jem and Scout is much like any other sibling relationship, full of love, support and trust.

The Literary Context Of To Kill A Mockingbird

This essay aims to investigate the literary context of Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird (1960) from four different perspectives. The scope of this essay does not only include the context from historical, cultural and social points of views, but also the significance of Lee 's early life is considered. The essay explores deeply the novel 's events, characters and main themes, which can all be related to the literary context. This is why the research question of this essay is “A Study of Literary Context in Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird”. To Kill A Mockingbird never fails to amaze a reader because of its audacity, as it brings out many controversial issues from 1930s America.

More about Point Of View In To Kill A Mockingbird

Related topics.

  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Truman Capote

Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Forbearance for neighbors, show of audacity and empathy to others, cross-gender perspectives of roles, summary of the major points.

In her To Kill a Mockingbird book published in 1960, Harper Lee seeks to present the literary richness of a poor Alabama setting. The novel became successful almost immediately, winning over many admirers and trophies. This is manifest in the conventional and contemporary qualities of American culture. The characters and the setting benignly expose the understanding of the life lived by the novelist’s fellow residents. The novel also touches on the experience that the writer witnessed in her native home almost two and a half decades before the book was launched. Back then, she was still in her late childhood years. The novel presents tender and humorous literature that the author employed in tackling issues experienced by the neighbors. Such issues include sexual violence and discrimination of the racial minorities in the United States. It is also notable that the author explores issues that affect different sets of social standing, audacity, gender roles, other than hers.

Philpot (51) believes the release of the novel in the wake of intensive efforts to correct racial intolerance in American society, explains how she felt for the minority groups who suffered huge injustice. The book effectively explores the breath-taking disgrace of how civilized whites living in the southern American region treated their Negro neighbors. The 1960s, through the sunset years of the twentieth century, saw the majority of analysts concur that the novel majorly highlighted racial prejudice meted out on hapless minority groups. Precisely, the book may have been influenced by two major developments that revolved around the topic of race in Alabama; the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and the protests that rocked the University of Alabama a year later.

This novel provides lifeline lessons of forbearance for neighbors. For instance, Mayella is perplexed while responding to Atticus’ prodding. The character intends to know in case she did not live in isolation. Scout suggests that her level of loneliness is likely to be worse than Boo Radley’s (Philpot 52-53). These are clear lessons of care and tolerance that fellow society members feel for one another, and which a just society should not discard. The literature portrays the actual happenings in the society in an educative and corrective manner that is acceptable to both sides of the victim and perpetrator of injustices. The story offers an effective understanding of situations experienced by other characters in a joyous, metaphoric, or melancholy manner (Philpot 52-53).

Another scene that illustrates the reason behind the understanding of others’ perspectives can be witnessed when Scout humiliates her classmate from a less privileged background. Calpurnia, their cook, who hails from the black race chides and disciplines her for that kind of intolerance because she understands her feelings. Atticus gives in to Calpurnia’s reasoning, and eventually supports his sibling, Aunt Alexandra, the feared character when she gives all the valid reasons for the sacking of Calpurnia. This explanation is meant to lessen the feeling of disgust at the action. This episode presents the author’s approach to the issues of social standing and ethnicity as being more intricate than attributing racial prejudice mainly to the underprivileged white populations.

Lee presents a vivid description of various episodes in which courage and sympathy for others transpire. This is evident as Scout seeks to correct students who show Atticus rudeness. It is notable that Atticus forms the fundamental moral position of the literary work. Scout also offers some lessons of bravery to Jem. In an account that presents what is to appear toward the end of the novel, Atticus’ inspiration for protecting Tom Robinson offers accounts of courage care and understanding for others’ situations. Moreover, Mrs. Dubose musters courage in her effort to defeat drug addiction. Jem’s perspective comes into view when Atticus advises him that valor is depicted when all doubts are cast on an individual’s chances of success but he or she begins and strives to achieve the intended goals regardless of the challenges.

As the author looks into the capacity of Jem to present the understanding of the environment where racism is rife, the perspectives of both genders are scrutinized by either sex. Scout comes to terms with the reality that women and men have a distinct place in society. The character has her activities shaped by the perspectives that had been adopted by other females. The main preference of the character for her dad and older sibling of the opposite gender enables her to explore the multiplicity and influence of female individuals, in two ways; as an insider and a starter who attempts to take the same road of individuals, she views as successful. Throughout the book, Scout’s main female characters whom she enjoys observing their perspectives are Calpurnia and Miss Maudie.

The perspective of others is also illustrated in the manner in which Scout observes her defile the innocence of a male rrelativeif only to conceal her own love for him. It is notable that the females at the frontline, who express their minds about Scout’s reluctance to stick more to the roles of the female gender also entail those that foster the most xenophobic and conventional perceptions against others. This is apparent as Mrs. Dubose disapproves of Scout’s refusal to put on a female outfit, and suggests that by so doing, she could be hurting the reputation of the household by her actions. The habit is also linked to a show of rudeness that the character targets at Atticus. This comes in the wake of the latter’s resolution to offer Tom Robinson formidable protection and contentment (Philpot 52-55).

Philpot (54) indicates that throughout the novel, the author illustrates how gender and social standing trigger chauvinism, repress the voices of reason and destroy the thinking of many Americans regarding bigotry and segregation. The author intelligently brings in the middle-class accounts of the story, a development that turns out to be a literary tool meant to attract every reader from all segments of society. This strategy augurs well with readers from all ethnicities and promotes the logic of eagerness to get informed. The ideology presented by Sharing Scout and Jem enables the reader to take part in issues pertaining to Mrs. Dubose, the archaic figure. The poorer Ewells and Cunninghams are also included into the mix, characters that, in spite of the prevailing class condition, the manner in which they understand the other characters is largely just. The opulent but highly disliked Mr. Dolphus Raymond, and Calpurnia are also caught in the business of observing others’ perspectives of survival and justice in society.

Generally, the novel offers remarkable understanding of human self-respect. Throughout the novel, the literature content shows the reasons why neighbors must respect, regardless of their social status or ethnicity. This is evident in how Atticus and Scout relate. The former offers advise that an individual may not have a clear insight of the behavior of another individual unless he or she understands his perception; not before one gets the inner feeling of the individual who is in question. This lesson is rich in sympathy, a key phenomenon of coexistence and neighborliness that the author has managed to present.

Philpot, Chelsey. The Long Life of a Mockingbird. Horn Book Magazine , 87.3 (2011): 51-55.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, April 24). Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird. https://ivypanda.com/essays/understanding-other-perspective-to-kill-a-mockingbird/

"Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird." IvyPanda , 24 Apr. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/understanding-other-perspective-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird'. 24 April.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird." April 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/understanding-other-perspective-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

1. IvyPanda . "Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird." April 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/understanding-other-perspective-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird." April 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/understanding-other-perspective-to-kill-a-mockingbird/.

  • Jem's Character in the "To Kill a Mocking Bird" by Harper Lee
  • Analysis of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird
  • What It Takes to Kill a Mockingbird: In Search for the Differences between the Novel and a Movie
  • “To Kill a Mockingbird” Drama Film
  • Social Issues in the "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
  • "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962) by Robert Mulligan
  • "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
  • Moral Principles in Harper Lee’s Novel To Kill a Mockingbird
  • “To Kill a Mockingbird”: Book and Movie Differences
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Solzhenitsyn
  • "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz
  • “To Kill a Mockingbird”: The Novel by Harper Lee
  • Hemingway’s Santiago as an Everyman
  • “Death in Venice” by Thomas Mann and “Therese Raquin” by Emile Zola

Hamburger menu icon

Request another

Follow class ace :.

IMAGES

  1. Essay: Issues Explored within to Kill a Mockingbird

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

  2. To Kill A MockingBird Essay

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

  3. Atticus Finch Kill Mockingbird Brilliant!!!! Old Quotes, Quotes For Him, Movie Quotes, Wisdom

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

  4. ᐅ Essays On To Kill a Mockingbird 📝 Free Argumentative, Persuasive, Descriptive and Narrative

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

  5. Essays on to kill a mockingbird symbolism in 2021

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

  6. Essay on To Kill a Mockingbird: Writing Guide for Every Student

    to kill a mockingbird point of view essay

VIDEO

  1. To Kill A Mockingbird The Movie Part 1

  2. To Kill a Mockingbird

  3. "To Kill a Mockingbird" Book Summary: Chapter 10

  4. To Kill A Mockingbird (by Harper Lee)- Animated Short Film

  5. "To Kill a Mockingbird" Turns 50

  6. Summary of To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 1-10

COMMENTS

  1. Who Is the Narrator of “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

    The narrator of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is Scout Finch. Scout is also one of the main characters of the book, and, as the narrator, she recalls memories from her childhood.

  2. What Does “To Kill a Mockingbird” Mean?

    “To Kill a Mockingbird,” from Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, is a metaphor that means “to hurt someone who has done no wrong.” It references a comment in the novel by character Atticus Finch to his daughter Scout.

  3. What Are Some Quotes Attributed to Calpurnia in “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

    One of the most notable quotes in “To Kill a Mockingbird” attributed to Calpurnia is “You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right. Many quotes from the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” are attributed to the character of Calpurnia.

  4. To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

    In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses conflict and plot to illustrate that judging someone without knowing them can eliminate the opportunity to understand

  5. To Kill A Mockingbird Perspective Essay

    Free Essay: Understanding perspective is essential to understanding people. Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird presents this idea in multiple passages of

  6. To Kill A Mockingbird Perspective Essay

    The Importance of Perspective in To Kill A Mockingbird In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee includes many contrasting perspectives that provide an

  7. To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

    To Kill a Mockingbird is told from the first-person point-of-view of Scout. Choose a scene that you have read that has at least three characters. Re-write the

  8. Importance Of Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Importance Of Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird. Great Essays. 1363 Words; 6 Pages. Open Document. Essay SampleCheck Writing

  9. To Kill A Mockingbird Point Of View Essay

    Free Essay: Scout's unique point of view, which is an unbiased first person with two perspectives, is developed in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee...

  10. To Kill a Mockingbird: Point of View

    To Kill a Mockingbird is written in the first person, with Jean “Scout” Finch acting as both the narrator and the protagonist of the novel.

  11. What Is The Point Of View Of To Kill A Mockingbird

    In this essay, the author. Analyzes how the novel to kill a mockingbird is told in 1st person perspective, because scout is telling the story. the protagonists

  12. Point Of View In To Kill A Mockingbird

    This essay aims to investigate the literary context of Harper Lee 's To Kill A Mockingbird (1960) from four different perspectives. The scope of this essay does

  13. Understanding Other Perspective: To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

    In her To Kill a Mockingbird book published in 1960, Harper Lee seeks to present the literary richness of a poor Alabama setting.

  14. Write an essay about My reflection of the book to kill a mockingbird

    From my point of view, To Kill a Mockingbird is an exceptional piece of literature that is both poignant and informative. I was particularly impressed by