How to Interpret "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" explores the divisions of race and social class in Alabama in the 1930's. Scout, the daughter of Atticus Finch, a lawyer struggling to find justice for an innocent black man, narrates the novel. Acclaimed for its portrayal of racism, injustice and moral courage in the face of both, "To Kill a Mockingbird," received the Book of the Century award by the Library Journal. Originally published in 1960, "To Kill a Mockingbird," won a Pulitzer Prize.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Identify the Main Themes of the Novel

1. Identify the theme of the novel as courage. Atticus Finch displays both physical courage, in shooting the rabid dog and protecting Tom Robinson from the mob and the jailhouse. More importantly, Atticus Finch is a model of moral courage for his willingness to stand up to prejudice and fight for the justice an innocent man deserves. The theme of courage runs through the antics of the children, in their quest to discover more about Boo Radley.
2. Read to Kill a Mockingbird as an indictment of racism and prejudice. Tom's conviction occurs because he is black. The jury would rather execute innocent men than confront their own beliefs about racial inferiority. The trial becomes an awakening for Scout, who feels the sting of prejudice for the first time in her life. She begins to understand the danger in the values of the town she had previously accepted and even embraced.
3. Discover the third theme of this novel as it explores the relationship between good and evil. Scout and Jem make the transition from childhood innocence, believing in the goodness of their town, to acknowledging the evil of prejudice and hatred shown to Tom and their father. Atticus understands the evil in the world, yet still believes in man's capacity for goodness. He acknowledges that people have both good and bad qualities when he admires Mrs. Dubose for her courage, yet deplores her racism.

Understand the Symbolism of the Mockingbird

4. View the mockingbird as a symbol of innocence. Atticus forbids his children to shoot a mockingbird. He tells them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, as it causes no one any harm. According to Atticus, killing a mockingbird is the destruction of innocence. This theme is further echoed by Miss Maudie, who tells Scout, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but...sing their hearts out for us. That is why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird."
5. Compare the mockingbird to Tom Robinson. Tom is an innocent man who has been destroyed by evil. In sentencing him to death, the townspeople have committed the sin of killing a mockingbird.
6. Identify Boo Radley as a symbol of the mockingbird. Boo is a kind and gentle man who does good things for the children. Were he to be put on trial for the killing of Bob Ewell, he would have been destroyed. Both he and Tom represent the true goodness of the mockingbird that must be protected.