Term paper on To Kill A Mocking Bird

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Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was born a slave named Isabella Baumfree sometime in 1797 in Ulster county, New York. The exact date of her birth is to this day unknown, but it is believed to have been sometime during the fall. She developed her characteristics of courage and dependability from her mother, Mau Ma

Scarlet Letter
Through out the Scarlet Letter I believe that Hester and Dimmesdale do redeem themselves. I am led to think this for Three major reasons. The first being that the sin is between man and God. In my beliefs they do not have to repent to the people for they have not sinned against them. My second reaso

Harper Lee uses a motif, mocking birds, in most of the main characters to explore the theme of prejudice. She also uses characterisation to show the contrast of how it affects all of the characters in the novel to “To Kill A Mocking Bird”.

The Finches- Atticus, Jem and Scout- are all mocking birds. The name Finch suggests this.

Atticus was Harper Lee’s ideal man his only fault was that he was too idealistic. Atticus didn’t see any place for prejudice of any kind. He defended a blackman Tom Robinson in a case that he knew would be very difficult to win and could totally change his life. Atticus was brave in doing this. He was “nigger lover” by several people but just took it in his stride. He even replied to Scout “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody.”

He also tried to act the same around everyone. He was always polite to black people, undesirable people and the rest of Maycomb. He always called Mayella Miss Mayella. Mayella didn’t see this as him being polite and got annoyed “Long hew keeps on callin’ me ma’am an’ sayin’ Miss Mayella I don’t hefta take his sass.” Miss Maudie comments on this and says “he’s consistently polite”.

Atticus was clever and carefully planed out how he asked the questions during the court case. He asks Mayella about her family background before he questions her about the alleged rape. Similarly, he asks Tom about his previous convictions before he asks him about the situation with Mayella. He does this because he knows it will have a particular effect on the jury listening “Jem said Atticus was showing the jury that Tom had nothing to hide.”

Scout is also a mocking bird and was affected by prejudice. She, like Atticus, was called a “nigger lover” and was nearly killed because Atticus defended Tom Robinson.

Scout started off quite prejudiced and would make fun or Boo Radley in the games she played with Jem and Dill. “Scout you can be Mrs Radley”. They didn’t understand about prejudice but Atticus taught her later to be nice to everybody like he was “I do my best to love everybody” and “You shouldn’t call them niggers you should call them Negros”

Calpurnia also influenced Scout. She was taught that politeness should be shown to all people even if their manner differ from yours “Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house yo’ comp’ny, and don’t let me catch you remarkin’ on other ways like you so high and mighty!”

Scout was a tomboy. She got into a few fights because she was defending what she thought was right. She fought her cousin because he said Atticus as a nigger lover” I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger lover, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family.” To this Scout responded by jumping on him and fighting him “It was easy to collar Francis” Aunt Alexandra was sexist and constantly criticised...