to kill a mockingbird is a interesting novel to read today
TRANSCRIPT
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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/