to kill a mockingbird is a interesting novel to read today

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  • 8/8/2019 To Kill a Mockingbird is a Interesting Novel to Read Today

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    To Kill A Mockingbird is a interesting novel to read today. Although the book had

    been written long time ago but it is still relevant to be read. What is unique about this

    novel is the title of this story, To Kill A Mockingbird. The title can give a general thought

    about what is this novel is all about. Mockingbird is species of bird that are not harmful

    to human and make a beautiful sound. By knowing what is the definition of mockingbird

    we can say that the meaning of this title is to kill something that is innocent and are not

    harmful to anyone. In this novel, the mockingbird is symbolized by Tom Robinson who

    accused of hurting and raping Mayella Ewell. From the plot of the novel, we can know

    directly that Tom Robinson is not guilty based on all the evidence that Atticus gave

    during the trial. Even though the evidence is convincing but the juries still found Tom

    Robinson guilty and be killed afterwards. This is a little synopsis of the story based on

    the title of this novel. This novel shows a microcosm of the American Society in 20th

    century. The definition of microcosm is a small, representative system having analogies

    to a larger system in constitution, configuration, or development. This novel shows the

    small things that symbolize the American society in 20th century. So, from this novel we

    can see the behavior and attitude of the American Society in 20th century.

    Now tell you father not to teach you anymore. Its best to begin reading with a fresh

    mind. This is when Miss Caroline scolded Scout because she can read whereas she

    supposed to be illiterate when she enters school. Miss Caroline also scolded Scout for

    being able to write. This is shown in the novel you wont learn to write until youre in the

    third grade. All this quotation clearly shows that children in American Society in 20th

    century should not be learn reading and writing at home. They should learn all this in

    school. Miss Caroline make such that learning reading and writing are things that Scout

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    should never done. From all this quotation also we can see that American Society

    teacher in the 20th century is not properly trained. We can see this lack of teacher

    training through Miss Caroline. She is not trained to handle different situation that may

    happen in the classroom. We can see this when she becomes panicked when Scout

    knows something that she did not even teach yet. She is only trained in certain situation

    where the student does not know anything and she is the one who gave the knowledge

    in the classroom. She also not trained in controlling her emotions. This can be seen

    when Miss Caroline lost control of her emotions when Scout tried to explain about the

    Cunninghams that cost Scout half a dozen little pats at her hand and to stand in the

    corner.

    Another thing that we can learn about American Society in 20th century through

    this novel is racism. This novel conveys the racism of the white towards the black. The

    white do not want to have any kind of relationship with the black. The white even do not

    want to help the black if they are facing problem. The white also go to the extent of

    killing a black if they have some kind of relationship with their children. This is shows

    when Bob Ewell makes Tom Robinson as a scapegoat of his crime. This is because of

    the little relationship that Tom Robinson had with Bob Ewell daughter, Mayella Ewell.

    Tom Robinson also nearly died when a group of people go to jail and wants to lynch

    him. Fortunately Atticus and his children were there to stop that incident from

    happening. Other than this, we can see that Atticus is called as nigger lover. This is

    because Atticus defends Tom Robinson. This shows that racism was practice by the

    citizen of Maycomb.

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    The other thing that we can see from this novel is the social segregation in

    Maycomb. The social classes in Maycomb are actually divided into four layers. The first

    layer is the white from wealthy and educated families. For example is the Finches

    family. The second layer is the middle class. They are generally poor and received little

    education. The people who belong to this group are usually work as farmers. Although

    they are poor but they never create trouble in the town. For example is the

    Cunninghams. The third layer is the people who is also poor but have bad attitude. The

    people who belong to this group always create trouble and do not take care of their

    cleanliness. We can see this when Miss Caroline says please bathe yourself before

    you come back tomorrow to Burris Ewell. This shows the condition of Burris Ewell at

    that time. He must be very dirty to the extent that Miss Caroline has to tell him to go and

    take a bath. The example of this group is certainly the Ewells family. Lastly, the fourth

    layer of this social class is the black citizens. Although they may have the same level of

    education as the first layer group, they will still stay as the lowest rank in the society. For

    example, Calpurnia, Atticus maid, she has the ability to read but she is still in the lowest

    rank of the society.

    I want to know why you bringin white chillum to nigger church. This is what

    Lula said when she saw Calpurnia bringing Scout and Jem to their church. From this

    incident, we can automatically know that the white and the black do not share the same

    church. Although the white and the black have the same religion that is Christian, but

    they still have separated church. We can know that they are sharing the same religion

    when Calpurnia said Its the same god, aint it?. This separation of church is a clear

    example of discrimination of the white towards the black. We can further see the

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    discrimination in the condition of the both churches. The black church does not have

    enough equipment as there are in the white church. This can be seen in the novel when

    Scout says There was no sign of piano, organ, hymen-books, church programmes

    the familiar ecclesiastical impedimenta we saw every Sunday. The black church also

    was in bad condition. The church that is called First Purchase was unceiled and

    unpainted within. The churchs only decoration is a pink silk banner proclaimed God Is

    Love and the seat was made by a cheap cardboard fan.

    The attitude of prejudice in the American Society in 20th century also can be

    seen clearly in this novel. For example, the attitude of the white towards the black. The

    white always blame all the bad thing that happen to the black. In this novel, the black is

    the one who is blame when something bad happen in Maycomb. The black is being

    stereotype as a race that creates trouble. If something happens the black will be blame

    first. Although, there is no evidence that the black is guilty, but the black still get the

    blame. One example from this novel is Tom Robinson case. Although there was not

    enough evidence, Tom Robinson who is black was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. It

    is simply because he is a black. Another prejudice attitude that we can see in this novel

    is toward Boo Radley. He is describe as a monster. The story that he had driven a

    scissors into his parents leg has make Jem, Scout and Dill afraid to even walk in front

    of his house. Jem describe to Dill that Boo Radley dined of raw squirrels and cats, had

    yellow and rotten teeth, eye popped and drooled most of the time. All this extreme

    description about Boo Radley by Jem is influence by the story from the people in his

    neighborhood. Although they never saw Boo Radley in person but they make many

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    assumption about Boo Radley appearance. At last it was Boo Radley who saves Jem

    and Scout lives in the end of the story.

    In conclusion, To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel that must be read by all

    generation old or young. This is because it is a unique novel as it is written based on

    real experience. It is interesting how Harper Lee put herself into a little girl shoes and

    narrate the story. The attitude of prejudice, discrimination, blaming, killing, religious

    discrimination, and lack of education are all the microcosm in the American Society in

    20th century that can be seen in this novel. The title of this novel that is To Kill A

    Mocking Bird tells that to give punishment to someone that does not bring harm to us is

    not a right act. The novel also delivers the message that discrimination and prejudice

    toward the black must be stop. We cannot judge someone based on his skin colour or

    his family background but we must judge them for who they are because they are also

    human being who breathe the same air, drink the same water and eat the same food as

    us. By reading this novel it can make the reader realize that prejudice and discrimination

    is not the right thing to do and because of it someone can lose their life. Lastly, this

    novel conveys a lot of useful message and because of that, it must be read by everyone

    especially the young generation to ensure discrimination and prejudice will not be

    practice by our future generation.

    (1534 words)

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    Reference lists.

    Lee H. (1960). To Kill A Mockingbird. Oxford: Heinemann.

    Unregistered (n.d.). To Kill A Mockingbird: Irony and Sarcasm. Retrieved September 23,

    2010, from http://www.planetpaper.com/assets/1447.php

    Thematic Discussion. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www.homework-

    online.com

    Farlex (n.d.). The Free Dictionary. Retrived August 27, 2010 from

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/microcosm

    Sparknotes (n.d.). To Kill A Mockingbird. Retrived August 27, 2010 from

    http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/