Themes

Themes in To Kill a Mockingbird

---

Good and Evil

• Atticus Finch believes both good and evil exist in people but that good usually triumphs.
• At the beginning: Jem and Scout think like their father, believing good always wins. However, during Tom Robinson's trial, they learn this is not always true.
• At the end: Bob Ewell attacks the children, but Boo Radley, a good person, saves them, showing good can prevail.

---

Innocence and Loss of Innocence

• Innocence can mean:
• Not guilty – e.g., Tom Robinson is innocent of raping Mayella.
• Unawareness of evil – e.g., Scout, Jem, and Dill lose their childhood innocence by the end of the novel.

---

Racism

• Racism: Prejudice based on race.
  • In Maycomb, physical traits determine status, dividing white and black communities.
  • The theme of racism is central to Tom Robinson's trial.
• Example: Scout learns about racism when visiting Calpurnia's church but is discouraged by Aunt Alexandra from associating with black residents.

---

Social Inequality

• The Finch family is wealthy, with professional jobs (e.g., Atticus is a lawyer).
• Poor families like the Ewells are looked down upon in Maycomb.
• Many townspeople believe even "white trash" like the Ewells are higher on the social ladder than black citizens, such as Tom Robinson and Reverend Sykes.

---

Courage and Bravery

• Bravery is shown in various ways:
  • Atticus: Faces physical danger (e.g., confronting a rabid dog and protecting Tom Robinson outside the jail).
  • Scout: Learns non-violence from Atticus, who believes true courage is fighting battles without resorting to violence.
  • Bob Ewell: Represents cowardice, attacking children to settle his grudge.

---

Education

• Scout experiences conflict in education:
  • Her teacher, Miss Fisher, disapproves of her advanced reading skills.
  • Despite this, Atticus teaches Scout and Jem important values like non-racism and non-violence.

---

The Law

• Atticus values equality in law and defends Tom Robinson to promote justice.
• However, he understands that sometimes law and morality conflict:
  • He agrees Boo Radley should not be forced into court, as justice for Bob Ewell's death has already been served.

---

Empathy

• Empathy: Understanding others' feelings and actions.
  • Atticus teaches: "Step into another person's shoes" to understand their perspective.

---

Revenge

• Revenge is a destructive force:
  • Bob Ewell attacks the Finch children out of anger and humiliation from the trial.

---

Love and Caring

• Examples of love:
  • Atticus's care for Scout and Jem.
  • Jem's protection of Scout.
  • Acts of kindness from the community (e.g., Boo Radley saving the children).

---