Literature Analysis #3: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read.

• This story is narrated by the protagonist of the novel Scout Finch. She lives in the small town of Maycomb  with her older brother Jem and her father,a lawyer, Atticus Finch. During this particular summer a boy named Dill comes to stay in the neighborhood for the summer. Together they become fascinated with Bo Radley, and together they try to make him come out of the house he has been in his entire life. They are unsuccessful and never get to see him. Boo Radley , meanwhile, watches them from his house leaving them gifts in a hole on the tree in front of  his house. During this time, most of the people in the city of Maycomb are still racist towards blacks. Alexandra, Jem and Scout's aunt, comes to stay with the kids and tries to impose more womanly ways on Scout. Atticus Finch is then asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is the Ewell's who have raised these charges. The Ewell's are the poorest white family in Maycomb and are frowned upon by the rest of the community. As the trial begins, it becomes more obvious that Tom Robinson was not responsible for raping Mayella Ewell, it was her father. Despite this, Tom Robinson is still found guilt. He later attempts to escape prison but is killed.  Even though Mr. Ewell won the case he still vows to take revenge on Atticus. One day when the kids are walking home from a festival, Mr. Ewell follows Jem and Scout home and attempts to kill them. Boo Radley shows up and saves Jem and Scout. Scout gets to see Boo Radley, Jem doesn't because he's sleeping while Boo is at his home. Scout then walks him home and never sees him again.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

• The major theme in this novel is the inequality in society. This is seen in throughout various characters in the novel: Boo Radley, the Ewell family, Cunninghams, Tom Robinson, etc. Each of them represent a different levels of society. 

3. Describe the author's tone. Include three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

At some points in the novel, the tone can be very humorous. There were times where I found myself laughing in certain scenes. One in particular is when Scout is rolls into the Radley house inside of a wheel.

• " The tire bumped on the gravel, skeetered across the road, crashed into the barrier and popped me like a cork onto pavement. Dizzy, nauseated, I lay on the cement and shook my head still, punded my ears to silence, and heard Jem's voice....I raised my head and stared at the Radley Place steps in front of me. I froze."

There are also many points in the novel than in which the tone can get very dark and serious. The tone is usually serious when Atticus is talking to his children and trying to give them advice. 

• "Atticus crossed his knees and folded his arms. 'I'm trying to tell you the facts of life'.......Atticus suddenly grew serious. In his lawyer's voice, without a shade of inflection of inflecion, he said...."

The scene that I found to have the darkest tone was when the kids are getting attacked by Mr. Ewell. It takes place at night while the kids are alone, this contributes to the dark tone. 

• "Maybe it was the wind rustling the trees. But there wasn't any wind and there weren't any trees...Our company shuffled and dragged his feet, as if wearing heavy shoes...I felt the sand go cold under my feet...We stopped and listened."

4. Describe five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the theme and/or your sense of the tone. Include three excerpts that will help your reader understand each one.

• The author uses a lot symbolism in this novel. The most prominent symbolism in this novel is the one found in the title: the mockingbird. The mockingbird represents those that are innocent and do nothing but to help others. Atticus Finch tells Scout that it is a sin to kill one, Miss Maudie further expands on this.

-"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...That's why it's a sin to kill a                           mockingbird."

• Another literary technique in that I found in the novel is indirect characterization. I found this technique especially used towards characterizing Atticus Finch. We get to see what kind of a person he his through the advice he gives his kids. 

        -" 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."

• The point of view that the novel is told in is also very important. It is told in first person point of view, by Scout. We are able to see her maturity and therefore get different perspectives. Sometimes we get the point of view of a child, sometimes that of an adult. 
• The setting is also very important in developing the theme of the novel. This novel takes place in the 1930's where there is a lot of racial inequality towards blacks. Also, women at this point are still thought of as inferior. They are not even allowed to serve in the jury at the time. 
• The author also uses a but of foreshadowing in the novel. The threats that the Mr. Ewell tells Atticus after the trial is over, foreshadow his attack on Jem and Scout. 

        -"...Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat on his face, and told him he'd get him      
           if it took the rest of his life."