To Kill a Mockingbird Theme Notes

To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes EDUCATION Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) ATTIUCS – teaches his “You just hold your head high Atticus teaches Scout and Jem how behave with children about the ways of and be a gentleman whatever she respect, dignity and modesty. life. says to you, its your job not to Teaching them how to write and read shows how much let her make you mad” he influences their lives. SCHOOLYARD – Formal “I rose graciously on Walter’s Education in the classroom effects Scout’s life. education behalf; ‘Ahh – Miss Caroline.’ She learns bout maturity (fighting with Walter) and ‘What is it, Jean-Louise?’ ‘Miss also learns about the class system and how it Caroline, he’s a Cunningham.’ I differs from other places. sat back down. ‘What, Jean- Louise?’ I thought I had made things sufficiently clear.” MISS MAUDIE – Teaches Scout “Miss Maudie puzzled me. With Miss Maudie teaches Scout about strength of about her father and how most of her possessions gone and character. In the scene where her house burns down, not to judge a book by its her beloved yard a shambles, she Miss Maudie sees the bright side of things. Scout cover. Also teaches Scout still took a lively and cordial follows her example by being able to react well in the importance of breaking interest in Jem’s and my similar situations. free from tradition and affairs.” that it is not always necessary to follow the crowd MISSIONARY CIRCLE SCENE This scene shows Scout about some aspects of the adult world. It teaches Scout that grownups are not infallible and that they can be hypocritical by seeing faults in others, but not themselves. CHURCH SCENE “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You Scout learns about segregation in Maycomb. This is ain’t got no business bringin’ something she has been aware of her whole life, but white chillun here – they got never considered. She sees the physical differences their church we got our’n. It is in the white and black churches, but also the our church ain’t it Miss Cal?’” similarities. She learns that even the downtrodden can be as bad as those who downtread – showing that all people are essentially alike. CALPURNIA “She’s a faithful member of this Calpurnia is a mother-figure to Jem and Scout. family … if anything, she’s been Even though she is black, she is treated equally harder on them in some ways than and as though she were part of the family. Scout a mother would have been.” and Jem learn how their family is different to others. Calpurnia teaches Scout about being a lady. MRS. DUBOSE “I wanted you to see something Mrs. Dubose teaches the children about varieties of about her – I wanted you to see courage – a vital theme in the novel. Although Mrs what real courage is, instead of Dubose herself does not tell the children, she getting the idea that courage is provides an example for them to follow. This a man with a gun in his hand.” affects Jem especially because he is more sensitive and aware of grown-up ‘aspects’ of the world. – he doesn’t see the world in childish shades of black and white anymore. To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes MORALS and TRADITIONS Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) MISS MAUDIE – holds her own “Foot-washing Baptists believe Her character shows the importance of being true to views on tradition in anything that is pleasure is a yourself. You don’t have to follow the crows. It is Maycomb. She doesn’t let sin.” okay to be different. Being different doesn’t religion cloud her morals. necessarily mean that it is bad. ATTICUS – recognises “Scout, I couldn’t go to church Similar to Miss Maudie, though he doesn’t critisise traditions of Maycomb but and worship God if I didn’t try what other people believe in. He remains neutral in doesn’t necessarily base to help that man.” most situations. He acts as a moral compass for the his own morals on those children, but also for anyone around him who has traditions. He does not the strength to reject the steadfast traditions of conform to tradition. the society in which they live. Atticus broke free of the traditions of the Finch family by moving away and becoming a successful lawyer. BOB EWELL – follows the “Atticus said that the Ewell’s Ewell shows how easy it is to follow the path of traditions of his family had been the disgrace of Maycomb those who went before and how they can be and bases his morals on for three generations. None of influenced by their surroundings. He shows how hard that, rather than following them had done an honest day’s it is to change his ways when he is brought up in a anyone else. work.” family environment like that. Mayella is an example of how the circle of despair works. SCOUT FINCH – Scout learns ‘It was the first time I’d ever Atticus’ morals have a positive effect on the about morals through walked away from a fight . . . emerging Scout . . . it forces her to think before Atticus and uses his wisdom If I fought Cecil, I would let she acts, unlike Mayella or Bob Ewell. She savs to inform her own moral Atticus down.’ herself a heap of trouble as well as thinking about compass. She develops her how her actions effect those around her. morals through the text with the help of Atticus and Maudie TOM ROBINSON – even when “Simply because we were licked Tom is a symbol of innocence – he is a much nicer, condemned to jail, Tom years before we started is no morally correct person that either of the Ewell’s retains his position of reason for us not to try to who are white and supposedly of a higher class than innocence. It would have win!’ Tom. Lee is trying to show that we need to look been easier for him to beyond the colour of a man’s skin to find the true admit the wrongdoing and ‘beauty’ of the person. avoid the trial, but Atticus’ guidance gives him hope. MISS CAROLINE / SCHOOL – “Miss Caroline, he’s a This shows how strange Maycomb really is – once a Miss Caroline is foreign to Cunningham” . . . I thought I stranger comes in to town, the idiosyncrasies of Maycomb and therefore has had made things sufficiently people are highlighted. It shows how indoctrinated different morals and clear, it was clear enough to people can become to their own perculiar way of traditions so she doesn’t’ the rest of us.” life. realise what their routine is. The children can’t accept that she doesn’t know what the traditions of Maycomb are. To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes OSTRACISM Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) BOO RADLEY – ostracised by ‘"An' they chased him 'n' never This quote strengthens to the idea that people need the community for an could catch him 'cause they to stop judging by what they see on the surface. alleged violent offence didn't know what he looked like, Scout finally ‘sees’ him for the man he is, not the towards his father. an' Atticus, when they finally monster he is made out to be. A moral lesson for saw him, why he hadn't done any those who heed it. of those things... Atticus, he was real nice...." His hands It also strengthens the idea of Scout learning to were under my chin, pulling up walk in other people’s shoes. the cover, tucking it around me.

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." HELEN ROBINSON – after her “It’s because of what folks say This shows the reader that being branded as a husband is accused of rape, Tom’s done” monster has implications for loved ones, as well as Helen loses her job and is themselves. Helen’s ordeal echoes that of Jem and shunned. “Folks aren’t anxious to – to Scout who are shunned by Maycomb beause of their have anything to do with any of father’s insistence in defending Tom. his family” TOM ROBINSON – ostracised ‘Tom was a dead man the minute Tom’s isolation serves to show us how unjust his and literally alone because Mayella opened her mouth and situation is. He seems more fragile and in a of the false word of a screamed’ precarious position because of this isolation. (The white woman. mob / his death). JEM AND SCOUT – ostracised ‘I drew a bead on him, remembered The children’s reaction to being ostracised serves by other children in the what Atticus had said, then to teach the audience a moral lesson – it is Scout playground and abused by dropped my fists and walked and Jem who appear to have the moral high ground, Mrs. Dubose away. “Scouts a coward!” ringing even though it is them who are being shunned. in my ears. It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight. MISS MAUDIE – is ostracised "The handful of people in this Rather than dislike her separation from the rest of by the community for town who say that fair play is the town, Miss Maudie seems to revel in her supporting Atticus and not not marked White Only; the difference. Her attitude is passed on to Scout going to church. handful of people who say a fair (girl’s clothing) and reinforced by Atticus. Miss trial is for everybody, not just Maudie sees people for who they truly are. us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord's kindness am I."

To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes CONFORMITY Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) SCOUT – struggles to “I was wearing my pink Sunday This shows the pressure on the children of Maycomb conform to society’s dress, shoes and a petticoat” to bend to the rules of adults – to conform to the expectations when Aunt “You’re mighty dressed up, Miss norm. Alexandra makes her wear a Jean-Louise.” This was part of dress. her campaign to teach me to be a lady.” ATTICUS – struggles to “The court appointed Atticus to This shows that standing up for what is right is conform to a society who defend him. Atticus aimed to not always easy. It teaches the children (and would condemn a black man defend him. That’s what they thereby the reader) that conformity has its without even trying him. didn’t like about it. It was pitfalls. confusing.” DOLPHUS RAYMOND – does not Dolphus explains why he pretends Dolphus finds a difficult situation is made easier conform to societal to drink alcohol “I try to give by conforming to Maycomb’s expectation of his expectation by marrying a ‘em a reason, you see. It helps character. It makes it easier for them to ‘allot black women. He is folks if they can latch on to a him’ as a type. Otherwise, he is a confusing oddity comfortable in neither reason.” to them and they wouldn’t believe he wasn’t black nor white society, terrible in some way anyway. and unfortunately, his family is condemned to be the same – even the unwitting children. MISS MAUDIE – goes against "The handful of people in this Shows that Maudie can see past colour, race, sex to conformity by dressing in a town who say that fair play is the person underneath. Is there to teach the reader ‘boyish’ manner when in the not marked White Only; the a lesson that conformity closes your mind off. garden and not attending handful of people who say a fair church in the way she is trial is for everybody, not just expected to. us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord's kindness am I." To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes COURAGE Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) MAD DOG SCENE – Atticus “I haven’t shot a gun in thirty This emphasises Atticus’ bravery. Even though he shows courage by shooting years.” hasn’t held a gun in three decades, he is willing the dog. to risk himself in order to save others (especially his children). Links to the fact that Atticus is the only one who can face the ‘Mad Dog of Racism.’ JEM – follows Atticus to There was a murmur among the Jem shows courage in following Atticus to the jail the jail when he goes to group of men, made more ominous because he had seen the signs of mob mentality from see Tom Robinson. when Atticus moved back to the the visit to the Finch household. Although Jem bottom front step and the men couldn’t exactly put his finger on it, he knew drew nearer to him. Atticus was in danger somehow.

Suddenly Jem screamed, "Atticus, the telephone's ringing!"

The men jumped a little and scattered; they were people we saw every day: merchants, in- town farmers; Dr. Reynolds was there; so was Mr. Avery. MRS DUBOSE – shows courage “I wanted you to see what real Shows the reader that Atticus sees the best in in overcoming her addiction courage is, instead of getting people – introduces Jem and Scout to the ‘grey’ to morphine. the idea that courage is a man world of adulthood – not everything is marked in with a gun in his hand.” black and white. Mrs Dubose is a mean, evil tempered person, but she is still to be admired because of her great courage in facing debilitating pain when overcoming her addiction to morphine. BOO RADLEY – leaves the ‘Atticus grinned slowly, ‘looks Boo Radley faces the children and Bob Ewell in the house in order to protect like all of Maycomb was out final chapters of the novel, overcoming his fear of the children twice (once a tonight in one way or another.’” the outside world. the fire, once when Bob Ewell attacks) ATTICUS – defends Tom “Just because we were licked 100 Atticus’ courage is in facing the entire corrupt Robinson even though it years before we started doesn’t justice system in Maycomb county (in indeed, all turns Maycomb against him mean we can’t try to win.’ across America). His trial wasn’t just about saving and his children. one black man, but making it fair and equitable for ALL black men. CALPURNIA – shows courage “I wants to know why you Shows that Calpurnia faces prejudice even within when bringing the Finch bringin’ white chillun to a her own society and shows courage in ignoring her children to the ‘black’ nigger church” taunts. Lee is trying to show that there are ugly church. people in every society and it has little to do with the colour of skin.

To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE / GROWING UP

Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) DILL – realises the "Things haven't caught up with Dill is becoming accustomed to the ways of the injustice of Tom’s that one's instinct yet. Let him world, particularly as his own childhood has been situation during the trial get a little older and he won't less than ideal. His rejection by his parents have when talking to Dolphus get sick and cry […] about the taught him about the cruelty of life and he feels Raymond. simple hell people give other injustice perhaps more keenly than the other two. people – without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too." JEM – at the beginning of ‘his hands were gripping the This shows that Jem is realising that even in a the novel, Jem is as naive balcony rail and his shoulders courtroom, the one place in the world where men and as Scout. During the trial jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a women are supposedly equal, a black man is inferior he shows his knowledge of separate stab between them’ to a white one. Jem is beginning to realise that the justice system and the world can be an injust, unsafe place. Scout feels separated from him by some instinctual understanding of his ageing. SCOUT – remarking on the ‘There’s some folks who don’t eat Scout is confused by the rules of the adult world – amount of syrup Walter is like us . . . but you ain’t if she put syrup on her food like Walter, she would putting on his dinner. called on to contradict ‘em at have no doubt been in a lot of trouble. She is the table when they don’t’ having trouble detecting the nuances of adult hood. JEM – shows he has joined “He rose and broke the remaining Jem no longer sees things from a childish the adult world when Dill code of our childhood. He went perspective (as Scout and Dill still do). He runs away and is found out of the room and down the realises that Atticus needs to know because other under the bed. hall. ‘Atticus . . . can you people will be worried about where Dill is. To come here a minute, sir?’ Scout, this breaks the code of childhood because she knows Dill will get in trouble. JEM – just after the death ‘Jem was twelve. He was difficult This shows that Jem is undergoing the pre-teen of Mrs. Dubose, infuriates to live with, inconsistent, hormonal phase of passing from childhood to Scout with his behaviour. moody.’ manhood. The moodiness also signifies Jem’s ‘Yeah, he’s just about Mister changing viewpoint of the world. Jem, now.”

To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes JUSTICE / INJUSTICE

Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) JURY RESULT – Tom Robinson ‘I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was The injustice of Tom Robinson’s conviction is convicted as guilty. polling the jury; ‘guilty, resonates with the children and the handful of guilty, guilty’. people in Maycomb who ‘know better’. Lee highlights the race issue through Tom’s Atticus had used every tool conviction. available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.”

In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life. […] DILL – sees injustice “It ain’t right. Somehow, it Dill, as an outsider, can see the injustice of clearly. Particularly when ain’t right to do ‘em that way. Tom’s position, exactly because he isn’t infected speaking with Dolphus hasn’t anybody got any business with the town’s prejudices and traditions. Dill, Raymond during the trial. talkin’ like that – it just because of his own unjust home situation, is more makes me sick” sensitive to injustice than others. TOM ROBINSON – at the trial “as he raised his right hand the Shows that the world of a white person completely with his crippled arm shows useless one slipped off the overrules that of a black person, even though the theme strongly. bible and hit the clerk’s table” what is said by the white person is impossible. Tom represents the powerlessness of the black community. BOO RADLEY – People treat “Boo was about 6 and ½ feet tall Because he lives outside the ‘norm’ of Maycomb, him badly for no reason. judging by his tracks; he dined Boo Radley is transformed in to a monster. He is on raw squirrels and any cats he a scapegoat for the community’s fears and could catch” mistrust. Even his name is stripped from him. His treatment is unfair (unjust) because he did nothing to earn this reputation. BOB EWELL – justice / karma “[Bob Ewell] dead, Mr. Finch.” Justice is served in Ewell’s death. Bob Ewell’s = he died insistance that Tom raped Mayella brought about Tom’s death. It is just that Ewell is now a victim of his own selfish actions. ATTICUS FINCH – is an “Simply because we were licked Atticus knows that the only morally just thing to embodiment of justice, 100 years before we started, is do is to defend Tom, even if he has to face the particularly when he fights no reason for us not to try to entire town and justice system to do it. for Tom Robinson win” To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes THE ROLE OF WOMEN

Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) AUNT ALEXANDRA – behaviour “Aunt Alexandra was one of the Aunt Alexandra is an example of a woman as a ‘proper’ lady last of her kind; she had river- conforming to society: she provides a strong boat, boarding-school manners; contrast to Miss Maudie who does not conform. let any moral come along and she Aunt Alexandra shows how you can make your own would uphold it.” life difficult if you refuse to adapt and change. CALPURNIA – being a strong, “I don’t want anybody sayin’ I Calpurnia’s image as a strong, capable black black woman and a mother don’t look after my children.’ woman goes against Maycomb’s stereotypical image figure for Jem and Scout of what black people are like. Calpurnia’s role in the family serves to show the reader that Atticus is truly unbiased. MRS DUBOSE – is courageous “I wanted you to see what real Mrs. Dubose’s strength in the face of adversity while facing a painful courage is . . . it’s when you shows us that though her behaviour is not death without pain relief. know you’re licked before you respectful, she is a strong person – stronger begin but you begin anyway and than many men in the novel you see it through no matter what … she was the bravest person I knew.’ SCOUT – is forced to “I must soon enter this world, Scout dreads the idea of being forced to be a conform instead of dressing where on its surface, fragrant lady because she doesn’t want to be forced to the way she wants. ladies rocked slowly, fanned conform to what society thinks is proper. As the gently, and drank cool water. novel teaches us, sometimes it is better to fight But I was more at home in my tradition in order to pave a new way of thinking. father’s world” MAYELLA EWELL – is “white people wouldn’t have The ostracism of Mayella, both before and after ostracised from society anything to do with her because the trial, shows that despite Maycomb’s interest because of her family’s she lived among pigs.” in the supposed crime committed against her, they position in the community. do not care enough to interfere. Mayella is a She is a symbol for ‘bad’ lonely woman – cut off from anyone her age, women. wanting to interact with others, but the closest neighbours she has are black folks. ATTICUS’ OPINION ABOUT “I doubt if we’d ever get a Atticus’ somewhat sexist comment highlights the WOMEN ON JURIES complete case tried – the fact that the belief that women are less capable ladies’d be interrupting to ask than men is so deeply ingrained in 1930’s society questions.’ that even Atticus (who is mainly untouched by prejudice) is influenced by this belief. MISS CAROLINE – is shown to “I was on the verge of leaving – Miss Caroline’s naivety and inability to accept be naive about the ways of ‘I done my time for this year.’ the unexpected conforms with Maycomb’s the town. Miss Caroline looked puzzled, stereotypical image of what outsiders – women in ‘what do you mean by that?’ particular – were like. MISS MAUDIE – is a strong “Don’t you worry about me, Jean- Miss Maudie’s behaviour shows us that a woman woman, even though she Louise Finch … why, I’ll build does not have to conform to what society expects doesn’t fit society’s me a little house.” in order to be strong. She provides a powerful norms. role model for Scout.

To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes STEREOTYPES

Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) LULA – at the black church “You ain’t got no business This shows the stereotype of what Maycomb speaks and acts as a bringin’ white chilun here. They assumes all black people to behave like. ‘typical’ black person got their, we got our’n” However, the reader knows this is an ill (uneducated) assumption as they have Calpurnia, Reverend Sykes, Helen Robinson and Tom Robinson to counterbalance this view. Lee is trying to show that prejudice exists in EVERY society. ATTICUS – is subverting the “why are you taking on the case This shows us that Atticus is different from stereotype of lawyers – he if you know you are going to Maycombians because he shows respect for is actually trying to bring lose?” justice justice. “Because if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold my head up …” DOLPHUS RAYMOND – chooses “Why’s he sittin’ with the This shows that even though black and white to live with a black woman coloured folks?” people are very segregated, people can break “Always does. He likes ‘em free and live with ‘the other side’. Although better’n he likes us, I reckon.” in breaking free from the stereotype, Dolphus has condemned himself and his family to an ‘outsiders’ life. BOB EWELL – is a “When a man spends his relief This shows how irresponsible and untrustworthy stereotypical drunk – checks on green whiskey, his Bob is, making his statements unreliable and avoiding all children have a way of crying the conviction of Tom Robinson even more of a responsibilities and from hunger pangs.” shock. spending all his money on alcohol. TOM ROBINSON – is a ‘It occurred to me that in their Shows that Tom, despite the differences in subversion of the own way, Tom Robinson’s manners education and social status, can be as ‘good’ stereotype of black people. were as good as Atticus’” a person as Atticus. Shows that he does not fit the stereotypical figure that Maycomb want him to be, making his conviction even more unjust. To Kill a Mockingbird – Theme notes CLASS SYSTEM

Scenes and Characters that Quotes and language features to Significance to the text as a whole (author’s show the theme support the scenes/characters purpose) BOB EWELL / EWELL FAMILY – “Ewell’s were members of an They represent the disgrace of the town. The because of the Ewell’s exclusive society made up of white trash who should be lower than the black reputation, all Ewell’s are Ewells.” population in the social system but who are not, considered ‘white trash’. only because of the colour of their skin. Hunts out of season which “Its silly to force people like Special rules apply to the family such as goes against societies the Ewells into a new hunting out of season, or the children only rules. environment.” attending day 1 at school. BLACK COMMUNITY – are the “Negroes worshipped in it on Shows the severe divide between white and black. lowest in the social Sundays and white men gambled in Shows the racism within the majority of Maycomb system. They have separate it on weekdays” – white are hypocritical by allowing gambling in facilities and a separate a sacred place. community. WOMEN – considered to be a “I guess it’s to protect our Shows that women had a passive role in society, little below men – unable frail ladies from sordid cases even though they may rule their own homes. None to be on a jury, etc. like Tom’s” have any jobs and therefore, no power. DOLPHUS RAYMOND – shunned “But you see, they never could Dolphus lives outside of either society because from white society because understand that I live like I do he chose to have a family with a woman of a of his black family – has because that’s the way I want to different colour. The children are ‘mixed’ – ‘mixed’ children. live” belonging to neither society. CHILDREN – Maycomb talks “And why do I not understand This shows how underestimated children are in down to them and doesn’t children, Miss Jean-Louise?” the eyes of those ‘above’ them. (Much like black treat them equally (except Uncle Jack says to Scout. people). Attucs / Maudie) OUTSIDERS – people brought “I am from North Alabama, from People of Maycomb have their own traditions and up outside of Maycomb, such Winston County.” The class ways of living that can often look ridiculous as Miss Caroline, who murmured appreciatively. and strange to ‘outsiders.’ aren’t as respected. RICH WHITES – all live in “The Ewells live further out of Shows distinctly, by area, where you fit into the same nice area of town town – closer to the black the social strata. Top white people have better – Mrs. Dubose, the Finches, areas. Respected whites live access to education and amenities. etc. close to town. All respectable white people with background live on one street.

“You and Jean-Louise are not from run-of-the-mill people. You are the product of several generations ‘gentle breeding’