To Kill a Mockingbird Review By Gerard Flores

Why did I choose this book? I chose “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, because I was very familiar with it since I read in Mrs. Fisher’s class in 9th grade. I wanted to see how this class would interact with the book compared to English 9. It was also a test to see how much I’ve changed since 9th grade.

Plot Summary To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the deep south in Maycomb County, Alabama, around 1930. The novel starts off with Scout narrating her early life with her brother, Jem, and her friend, Dill. Primarily, she talks about the fascination of Boo radley, which plays an important role as she grows up. As the story progresses, Scout faces many problems similar to that of a child growing up including the fact that she has to become a woman like her aunt Alexandra and set aside her tomboy ways. Furthermore, her father, Atticus, has to defend an African American by the name of Tom Robinson in a case regarding to a false accusation of rape by Mayella Ewell. As the trial goes on, Scout gets many perspectives from surrounding audience such as Dolphus Raymond who is mixed. Despite Atticus’ strong testimonies, he loses the case due to racism of the white jury. The father of Mayella, Bob Ewell rejoices and foreshadows that he has two more targets. It is later revealed that it was Jem and Scout as he attempted to kill them after a school party at night. However, Bob Ewell fails due to Boo Radley saving the children and killing him. After a talk between the sheriff and Atticus, they tell Boo he is innocent and Atticus sets the unconscious Jem in bed. The novel ends with a mature, and mystified Scout finally finding out the answer to her childhood; who Boo Radley really was.

Character analysis of Scout Finch Scout is the main protagonist and narrator of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Scout is a tomboy from her relationship with her brother, Jem. She has childhood innocence and a lack of peripheral knowledge at the start of the novel. However, she loses her innocence from her exposure to issues in Maycomb such as racism in the Tom Robinson trial. By the end of the novel, she adapts to the world around her and develops a mindset of a mature adult; instead of making assumptions, she looks for reason and learns the appropriate social customs of her community.

Character Analysis of Bob Ewell Bob Ewell is the main antagonist of “To Kill a Mockingbird” Bob Ewell is known as the most disgraceful member of Maycomb County and is at the near bottom of southern society. He is a broke white man who is a drinker, racist, and child abuser. He blames the crime of beating up his daughter onto Tom Robinson as he knows that the African Americans can never win a deep-south, white jury. However, his evil intentions weren’t satisfied as he tries to kill Jem and Scout after Atticus embarrassed him in court. Bob Ewell ends up getting killed in the end thankfully.

Major themes and literary devices Maturity: To Kill a Mockingbird has a prominent theme of maturity as Scout’s perspectives change from that of an immature child to those of a logical adult as she ages through her experiences. Prejudice: There is a common theme of prejudice that emerges from racism and judgement of the poor / lower class Loss of innocence: The theme of a loss of innocence comes in many forms: Scout’s childhood, Tom Robinson’s life, and even Boo Radley’s perceptions. Most important literary device to consider: Symbolism: There are multiple and important examples of symbolism in the novel that strongly support the themes such as Mockingbirds symbolizing innocence. Since the title is “To Kill a Mockingbird” it means innocence is being “killed” as seen with Scout’s childhood innocence. Ethos, Pathos and Logos: Many examples of these literary devices are found in the trial especially in the arguments made by Atticus.

Pros and cons Pros: Cons: Very entertaining and plot is well tied together Provides a great snapshot of what southern society was like during the 1930s and Great Depression Strong and prominent themes to help make the novel easier to understand Great novel for essays as it is very memorable Cons: Very small lack of justice (Tom Robinson case) Cons Pros

Would I recommend? Personal Rating: 8.5 / 10 It is clear that the answer is yes. To Kill a Mockingbird was a very well written book that gave me insight toward the attitudes of that in the deep south in 1930. The book was an extremely interesting read and every chapter encourages you to read further. It is filled with strong themes supported by great examples of symbolism, making the novel easily memorable. I highly recommend this book to use in this class or to read in general as it will not disappoint. Personal Rating: 8.5 / 10