Chapter 30-31: What are the important themes/ideas you will take from this book? Boesch-Powers
One of the most critical themes in TKAM is fake versus real. This is highlighted many times throughout the book, mainly towards the end. The obvious example was when Boo, whom most people in Maycomb described as an evil man, saved Jem and Scout from the real evil. The fake, or made-up version of Boo was from people who did not know him, which made him seem like a terrible monster that should be locked up. The real version, which came at the very end of the book, finally showed Boo as the warm, empathetic hero who saved the protagonist. Unfortunately, this realization came after too much fear had been instilled in most of the Maycomb community, so this possibly amazing person was not accepted. In the second to last paragraph, Atticus says, "Most people are Scout, when you finally see them" (323). He is talking about how most people are good when you get to know them and step into their shoes like Scout tried to with Boo. Through the precious moment when Scout was empathizing, the reader finally gets to step into Boo's shoes with Scout to see the pleasure both Scout and Boo feel. In this tiny moment, Scout grew so much. She not only got over her childhood fear and lived through her childhood fantasy, but she finally learned to show empathy to everyone, even if it is not the popular decision, which is what Atticus has been teaching her throughout the whole novel. A less clear example of a mask coming off is Atticus but differently. For Boo, he was thought of as evil but then is seen as a hero. Atticus first comes across to the reader as a kind, empathetic man and father to Scout and Jem; almost not human. Throughout the entire book, Atticus keeps his mask on, but little bits start to peel off slowly. The reader starts to learn that even though he seems like he has kind traits and gives the most perfect advice, these do not always help Scout grow as a person. Because Atticus is always optimistic about problems outside of Maycomb, Scout never learns about real problems/difficulties besides those of Maycomb, which will work against her once she moves away. Harper Lee starts to show the reader starts his faults as Scout is showing growth and starts to not need Atticus as much.
This is an important theme because it happens to everyone in the book. Whether it is Mr. Ewell turning into the real evil or Aunt Alexandra starting to go against the Maycomb Way, these changes all affect Scout's growth in the long run. At the moment when she notices them, she learns more about stepping into the person's shoes to understand who they are and to see both sides of a story. Later on, all of these character changes help Scout to learn that people are not always whom they say they are. This novel does not only help Scout figure out who she is, but the reader. Harper Lee makes every lesson that Scout learns relevant to everyday situations and teaches the reader to become a better (more empathetic) person like Atticus or more of a hard-worker like Tom Robinson. Every character in TKAM is specifically formed not only for Scout's growth but for the readers.
What is so important about the last page of TKAM? How does this wrap up the book perfectly? Does it?
How did you feel about Boo's short entrance and exit? Why did Harper Lee do this?
Who's change throughout the novel (not Scout) impacted Scout the most? Why?
What is so important about the last page of TKAM? How does this wrap up the book perfectly? Does it?
How did you feel about Boo's short entrance and exit? Why did Harper Lee do this?
Who's change throughout the novel (not Scout) impacted Scout the most? Why?
The whole book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is about people being innocent but seen as guilty. The two main people affected by this theme is Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Boo Radley is seen as a monster who eats squirrels in the first few chapters. By the end, he's a town hero, who saves Atticus' children. He's similar to a mockingbird - completely innocent. So is Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was proven guilty all because of his skin color. It's like the jury did not pay attention to the evidence of the trial, but rather noted his skin color and declared Tom at fault. Harper Lee names the book about a mockingbird to destroy innocence. Jem, Dolphus Raymond, and Dill are also mockingbirds. They are completely innocent, but due to society or evil people, were hurt or injured throughout the novel. Racial inequality is a common idea in this novel.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Atticus’s mask has slowly peeled off throughout the novel. During this reading, his stubbornness shows. When Heck Tate, the town sheriff, tells Atticus that Jem didn’t stab Bob Ewell, Atticus insists on this still going to court. Atticus only believes that Jem could have been the person that killed Bob Ewell. He doesn't take into account that Mr. Ewell could have fallen onto his knife. This is one of the few ways that Atticus is human. He let his stubbornness get in the way of what Heck Tate was trying to tell him. Harper Lee wants to show that Atticus has flaws and that he is not the perfect person that Scout sees. This is one of the few times in the novel that Scout has realized that her father isn’t perfect. Overall, Scout has grown throughout the novel and sees that Atticus has flaws.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kevin when he says that throughout the book are seen as guilty when they are truly innocent. Tom Robinson was the one to be unfairly convicted when the jury knew he had done nothing wrong. The jury knew that Bob was the one that beat his own daughter but Tom was convicted purely on the fact that he was a Black man in the 30's. Boo Radley is also seen as a monster throughout the book, Jem described Boo in a way to make him look like a monster so he could explain why he never came outside. Well the truth is he was just a good man who did not want to be part of something like the "Maycomb Way", that is why he sacrificed his ability to go out. When he finally went outside he saved the two children who pictured him as a monster who would hurt anything in its way. That is why Tom and Boo are both mockingbirds, because their name was tarnished by the people in Maycomb and one of them ends up a hero.
ReplyDeleteI think that Atticus putting Scout to bed was a really well thought out ending on Lee’s part. What he’s doing is putting her in her bed after reading her a horror story, but it’s also a symbol for the book. There has been lots of very sad and scary things that have happened throughout the book, from getting shot at to almost being killed, but in the end, she is safe and sound in her bed. The horror story book is kind of like TKAM, and now that the story is over, Scout can finally be put to rest.
ReplyDeleteI think Harper Lee gave Boo a short entrance and exit to show some final thoughts Scout has that demonstrate her growth. After meeting Boo Radley, she was finally able to understand why Atticus said "you can better understand people by walking in their shoes". Scout is finally starting to understand Atticus' drops of wisdom that lead her into her teenage years. The last page with Atticus tucking Scout in is a perfect ending to both the book and maybe Scout's final moments of childhood now that that things are finally back to normal.
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