Analyzing Themes of To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee's first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, displays the life of a small southern family struggling through the depression in Maycomb, Alabama. Similar to any other southern town, the prejudiced whites look down upon the Negroes. The family overcomes many obstacles thrown at them by the prejudiced town. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the major themes of courage, innocence, and prejudice are instrumental in the portrayal of life in a small southern community.

The prime challenge to anyone's courage is the Radley house. Jem is known for his courage, and it appears that even the Radley house doesn’t scare him. Dill wants to test Jem's courage by betting that Jem will not touch the Radley house. Jem has to accept because he cannot allow Scout and Dill to think he’s as a coward. "His courage was a source of pride" (****courage 1)

Curiosity is one of courage's best allies. It helps breed courage, especially in children, but it finally gets the best of Jem and Dill, and they to sneak up to the Radley house to get a quick peak of Boo. They get caught and have to run away. As they are running away, Jem's pants are snagged on the fence, and he has to leave them. Eventuall

The second type of prejudice is displayed in feelings about Scout's gender. She is compelled to be a tomboy by the harsh stereotypes thrown at her. When Jem tells her that "she acts like a girl" she finds it offensive. Scout’s tomboy-like behavior could originate from being the only girl in the family and living without a female role model.

Atticus does his best as a single parent to rear Scout and Jem to know right from wrong. He is a great role model for them and teaches them dignity and bravery. He shows them that courage does not come from carrying a gun but from a higher intellectual standard. He shows this bravery by not carrying a gun to protect himself against the drunken, unpredictable Bob Ewell.

Atticus Finch is an intellectual individual who shows great courage throughout the novel by his actions. He "acts upon his conscience", even if it means standing up against the town and his family to help an innocent man (Themes 1). He tries to teach his children to be strong and stand for what is right in spite of the influence the town has over them. Atticus shows very strong moral courage in taking the case of Tom Robinson. He does this knowing that the small town will oppose him. However, one lady who lives across from the Finch family is willing to stand up for what she believes in and says, "We trust him to do the right thing"(Themes 2). Not only is moral courage displayed, but also physical courage. It is demonstrated when he leaves work to care for a rabid dog at his house. He is forced to shoot the dog in order to protect his family. Although he does not consider this courageous, his children do.

Atticus' bond between him and his children is great, and he has never been afraid for them, until they step in the way at the jailhouse to protect Atticus. He is there, displaying his unconditional courage, sitting with Tom, ready to protect him. Walter Cunningham and other townsmen intend to do away with Tom and not allow Atticus to stand in their way. Atticus is expecting a fight, but he never imagines that Scout, Jem, and Dill will be involved. This is the first and only time that courage fails him. It is through Scout's innocence that they are able to overcome the mob's intentions of hurting Tom.

The fact that Atticus realizes that he

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