Dina2

"To Kill a Mockingbird"
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lee discusses the themes of prejudice, striving to reach adulthood, and mans inhumainty to man. These are the three main themes in the novel. they are weaved into the novel very well and all throughout it. She makes use of them very well.

In this novel there are lots of examples of racial prejudice. To begin with, Tom Robinson is found guilty of raping Mayella Ewell. If he would have been a white man he might receive a fairer sentence, or he might have even been found not guilty. Then, Lula doesn't want Jem and Scout at the black church. Since black people want to go into white people's places she shouldn't feel that way. All races should be allowed in any place. Finally, Tom Robinson is shot seventeen time when he tries to escape from prison. The prison guards have no right to shoot a crippled man that mant times. They proplably shoot him that many times just because he is black. Lots of prejudice people are in this book.

There are some social prejudice examples. First of all, because Miss Maudie is not married and is outspoken, people think she has something wrong with her. Maybe she feels that she doesn't need a man in her life. And she probably is better off without one. Next, Mr. Dolphus Raymond says "...some folks don't like the way I live... I try to give 'em a reason, it helps folks if they can latch onto a reason"( Lee 200), which he uses as the reason as to why he is married to a black woman and has mixed children. He makes everybody think he's an alcholic. Most people would think he's crazy if they knew he really wants to be with a black woman. He shouldn't have to make the town think that way about him, because you love who you love. Then, the Ewell children are only required to go to school on the first day of the school year because of their homelife. This is not fair that they only have to go one day. These children should be made to go all of the school year like every other kid. There are lots of people who looked down on people from the other social classes.

There are even fewer examples of sexual prejudice. To start off with, women in Alabama can not serve on the jury. Men probably feel that most women would not be able to handle it. This is very sexist. Next, women only have jobs as cooks, maids, teachers, and other occupations of this sort. Women can do any job a man can do only better. Women can do all things. Also, Alexandria thinks Scout should always wear dresses and act like a lady. She doesn't realize girls need to be somewhat of a tomboy. Girls have to be tough. Prejudice of all types is a major theme in the novel.

Jem and Scout are the two main people striving to reach adulthood in the novel. First, Jem tries out for the football team. He feels that he will be more maucho if he is on the team. He wants to be a cool jock. Then, he starts reading more and spending less time with Scout. He thinks that she is childish. He also feels that books are more important. Last of all, he starts being more authoritative over Scout. he seems to feel he has to tell her what to do because of their age difference. He also feels more mature than her. But, Jem does become a better, maturer person through the entire novel.

Scout doesn't suceed quite as well as Jem does at maturing, but she does okay. To begin with, she is very eager to go to schol so she can be more like her big brother Jem. She feels like will be more exciting when she starts attending school. Then her father says"...you might hear some ugly talk... but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head up high and keep those fists down"(Lee 76) and so she quits fighting. She loves her dad very much and would do anything for him. This is probably hard for her to do. Last of all, she stops believing in superstitions. She realizes they are silly, and that they aren't real, but she does mature some through the book.

Bob Ewell is very inhumane to his peers and family. First of all, he takes the relief check and spends it on alchol. He is a very bad father. His children should be taken away from him and put in a better household. Next, he beats Mayella when he catches her with Tom Robinson. He feels he has to punish somebody for what is taking place. He can't seem to believe she would allow something like this to happen. Last, he threatens Atticus when they are at the post office. He feels he has to try to save what little bit of dignity he has left. He is angry despit the fact that Tom is put into jail. Bob mistreated lots of people and has little if any control of his life.

Scout is mean but it isn't always intentional. To start off with, she rubs Walter Cunningham's nose in the ground because he makes her start off on the wrong foot at school. She feels she has to punish someone for wht happens with the teacher, and she needs someone to balme for it. Then, she says,"he ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham"(Lee 24) in reference to Walter doing something something odd to his food. She doesn't think very highly of him. She also doesn't realize how easily people's feelings get hurt by rude comments like that. Last of all, Scout beats up Francis when he makes a remark about Atticus. This time she has a good reaon to fight. I back her up one-hundred percent. Scout can be cruel, but sometime she has a right to be.

In the novel, all of the characters have to deal with at least one of the different themes. Harper Lee uses all of the themes I have discussed and more. I feel that these three: prejudice, striving to reach adulthood, and man's inhumanity to man, are the most important. The novel makes very good use of them.