To Kill A Mockingbird
The novel, 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' is centred around a plot filled with serious issues of racial inequality and rape. The book is known as a classic of modern american literature. The author Harper Lee is well known for this novel as it is filled with warmth, humour and it's very interesting plot.
The novel is narrated from beginning to end by one of the main characters, six-year-old Jean Louise Finch, otherwise known as Scout, thorughout the novel.
The story takes place, three years after the 'Great Depression,' focusing on the Finch family of Scout, her older brother Jem and her father Atticus, a middle aged lawyer.
At the beginning of the novel, the plot focuses on
the lives of Jem and Scout, as they befriend a boy next-door named Dill, who is staying with his aunt for every summer from then on. While having fun in their neigbourhood, the curiousity of their mysterious neighbour Arthur 'Boo' Radley leaves them fascinated and wanting to try various ways to get him out of his house to confirm rumours about his appearance, and his story. Several times, the children find gifts and gestures of affection , however doesn't appear in person, much to the children's dismay.
As the story progresses, a negro man Tom Robinson is accused of raping a young woman named Mayella Ewell and Judge Taylor appoints Atticus to defend him in court. Atticus agrees despite the protests of the citizens of Maycomb's and Scout and Jem are targeted for taunting, as a result of their father's actions calling him a 'nigger-lover'.
Scout is tempted to stand up for her father's honor by fighting, even though Atticus has told her not to. Later on, Atticus is faced with a group of men intending on killing Tom. This danger is averted when Scout, Jem, and Dill shame the mob to scatter by forcing them to view the situation from Atticus' and Tom's points of view.
At the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout watch from the coloured balcony, by invation of Rev as Atticus does not want Jem and Scout to be present at the trial and no seat was available on the main foor. Atticus begins the trial that the accusers—Mayella and her father, Bob Ewell, also known as the town drunk—are lying. During the trial, it has been revealed that Mayella was beaten by her father, and she was the one who had made sexual advances towards Tom, therefore was caught and beaten by her father. Unfortunately, despite the major evidence of Tom's innocence, the jury convicts him of the crime and he is sent to prison, where he was eventually shot and killed for attempting to escape. Consequently of the injustice trial, Jem's faith in justice becomes badly shaken, and also with Atticus'.
Regardless of Tom's injustice conviction, the humiliation Bob Ewell experienced during the trials, he vows revenge on Atticus and starts by spitting onhis face and goes as far to assault Tom Robinson's widow and break in the judge's house. For th finale of his revenge, he goes after Jem and Scout. During the fight, one of Jem's arm is broken, however before anyore damege, a mysterious person comes to the rescue of the children. After helping them, the man carries Jem home, during that small amount of time, Scout realises that the mysterious man in 'Boo' Radley.
Bob Ewell is discovered to have died during the fight, as discovered by the Sheriff. Jem and Boo are under suspicion of convicting the action to Bob's death, by Atticus and the Sheriff, however eventually Atticus accepts the Sheriff's story that Bob Ewell 'simply fell on his own knife' and died under the tree after 45 minutes. Afterwards, Scout escorts Boo home (Boo asked her to walk him ), and after the goodbyes at his doorstep, Scout stands on his porch, imagining life from Boo's point of view, and reflects on her regret for never repaying him the gifts he left for them. The story comes to a close, as Scout returns home and goes to sleep, while Atticus stays in Jem's room waiting for him to wake up.
Concept of Journey
The concept of journey depicted in the novel, is similar to other stories and includes that type of journey, their motivation, challenges and obstacle and the impact and consequence of their action. The type of journey that is explored in this text consists of a physical, intellectual and emotional take on a plot similar to cases that have occured in real life.
The Motivation: The three primary characters are Atticus, Jem and Scout. Each had some sort of motivation during the start of the novel , different but all link with the conclusion of the novel.
Atticus' motivation was money to support himself and his family financially and prove a man's innocence in the just way.
Jem and Scout are proven to be minor character during the novel, however play a vital role. Jem and Scout have a strong sense of justice, and from that alone links with Atticus and his concern for the injustice and inequality against a certain race fo people.
Challenges and Obstacles: There were many challenges that family had to face. Not just big challenges, but small ones as well. These include:
- Scout's first year of school, her struggles with getting along with her teacher and her love of reading and wanting to learn.
- The mysterious Arthur 'Boo' Radley, who lives near the Finch family, however is an isolated fellow.
- The disapproval of the citizens towards Atticus taking the case of a negro. Even a mob of men came up to the home of the Finch and tried to kill Atticus.
- The accusation and false conviction of Tom Robinson. The failure and guilt, the Finch family, particularly Atticus has to live with because of the injustice conviction and the death of Tom, as he was shot and killed in the prison, for attempted escape.
- Bob Ewell's revenge, harming many people and eventually died in the end.
Impacts and Consequences: There were many decision making in the progression of the book. As these took action, consequences are born out of the action and may result in a positive or negative impact. These consequences can relate to the trial and injustice conviction of Tom Robinson and the curiousity of 'Boo' Radley.
Text Deconstruction
During the path on a journey, the individual may encounter obstacles and challenges in which challenges them to come out of their comfort zone and/or extend themselves. In this case, the novel by Harper Lee, 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is filled with many challenges and obstacles, the protagonist had to overcome. Atticus had to deal with defending an innocent negro man of attempted rape, and throughout the trial, Atticus did a great job in defending him and giving plenty logical explanations and evidence, however the tables turn when the judge convicts Tom in an injustice manner and poor Tom is sent to prison and shortly after, shot and killed for an attempt escape. This obstacle presents two challenges i) To bring the case and the accuser to justice and, ii) To live with any guilt or regret that have become the outcome of the trial, in this case, the accuser had not been brought to justice and secondly Atticus, Jem and Scout have to live for the rest of their lives knowing the terrible outcome of the trial. In conclusion, it clearly presents one major example above of obstacles and challeges faced on the journey, and the outcome of consequences that follow the downfall or the salvation.
