To Kill a Mockingbird
(Harper Lee)

Innocence vs. Evil

Perhaps the main theme of the novel. It is stated that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, and mockingbirds represent all that is innocent, thus unfair to harm.

In the novel, there are a few characters that are seen as “mockingbirds”. Boo Radley is seen as a recluse who may be dangerous but is simply a victim of domestic abuse for most of his life. Tom Robinson is wrongfully accused of rape just because of his skin color, and ends up being killed even after his innocence is made obvious. Jem is just a little boy at the start of the story but is quickly forced to grow up to deal with the unfairness surrounding him, thus losing the innocence that Scout so desperately tries to hold on to.

Morality

Morality is a very important theme in this novel because it is something that Atticus and Calpurnia try so hard to live by and teach the children. Jem and Scout are encouraged to be moral in their decisions and any judgments they may make and shown that even when the rest of the world thinks you are wrong, if what you are doing feels right and honest to you, then you are right. Although the fate of Tom Robinson suffers, Atticus knows that following his heart and pursuing what he knew to be truthful, was the correct thing to do.

Inequality

There are a number of ways inequality shows itself. People can be deemed less than others due to skin color, religious beliefs, economic status, intelligence, or simple appearance or actions. Scouts sees Walter Cunningham as being a lesser person because she feels as though he is stupid and always dirty, not understanding that Walter’s family is in a place of extreme financial hardship, which says nothing about what kind of a person he is. Tom Robinson is seen as unequal because he is a black man. People are often judged by things they cannot help, and the acceptance and understanding of this is important.

Racism

In the case of this novel, the racism is mostly one sided. The white people are racist against the black people, based on nothing other than the color of their skin. Tom Robinson is accused of rape simply because he is black. His entire life is ruined because of something beyond his control. However, the black people do not discriminate against the white people in the same way. They see them as people first, and notice the faults in them second. Cal brings Scout and Jem to church with her one day and they are treated as family and a real part of the community, though this is mainly due to Atticus’ unselfish act of defending one of their own.

Education

Getting an education is very important to Atticus, for the sake of Jem and Scout. Atticus is a very well educated man, though he was home-schooled, and not just with book smarts, but in street smarts as well. He wishes for Jem and Scout to be very intelligent, successful human beings, but also to learn about acceptance, and compassion, and loyalty.

In this novel, the less educated people are shows to be the less tolerant, rasher, and personalities. Scout holds little interest in going to school because she believes that Miss Caroline hates her and is mean but Atticus insists that she attend conventional school to learn not only book smarts, but how to be tolerant of others as well.

Loyalty

Loyalty is important in the context of this novel because it happens in a few different ways. When Atticus takes the case defending Tom Robinson most of the town turns against him, but there are certain people, like Miss Maudie, Heck Tate, and Link Deas that stand by Atticus and know that what he is doing is right.

On the other side of things, those who are discriminating against Atticus for defending a black man are showing loyalty to the rest of the town and the racism that they have always known, no matter how questionable this loyalty may be. Scout and Jem learn to be loyal to those they see value in and who treat them right and to stick to their guns and not change their loyalties due to the problems it causes with others. Also, Boo Radley is loyal to the Finch kids, even having never really met them, because they are the only ones who ever really showed an interest in him at all.

Justice

Justice mainly lies in Atticus. He is determined to seek justice for Tom Robinson, knowing that he is innocent even when others insist he is guilty. He remains loyal to Tom and turns his back on the rest of the town in the name of justice.

Also, Scout and Jem are always punished for the mistakes, showing that justice has a place in all areas of life, no matter how trivial they may be. When it becomes apparent that Tom Robinson is innocent, yet he is still killed, that is justice to the people who rooted against him, though misguided.

Youth

The concept of youth is important in the context of this novel because the narrator is a nine-year-old girl. Scout, Jem, and Dill represent a youthful innocence, curiosity, and imagination that is rare amongst adults. Atticus encourages this sort of exploration and will always answer any questions that the kids have for him, in a manner of allowing them to still be children but preparing them to be upstanding adults as well. The evil that the children experience forces them to grow up a little and takes some of their youth away. The only character that really remains a sign of youthful naivety is Dill.

Femininity

This lies mainly at the hands of Aunt Alexandra, who wishes for Scout to act like a young lady, rather than an overly inquisitive little boy. She wishes for Scout to wear dresses and stay away from activities that will cause her to get dirty. Atticus allows this because he feels as though Scout needs a female figure in her life, other than Cal, but knows that Scout will have nothing to do with it. Miss Caroline also represents a typical Southern woman who dresses and acts like a proper lady, even when her ungrateful students make it difficult for her.

Compassion

Compassion is seen in all characters that stand by Atticus during the trial—Uncle Jack when he gets a glimpse of a child’s mind through Scout, and is taught to Jem and Scout by Atticus and Cal, especially during the situation with Walter Cunningham. This is a matter of good vs. evil in the novel, where the good are compassionate and understanding and the evil are stubborn and ignorant. Boo Radley is also an important figure when it comes to compassion because people who do not actually know him for his entire life have discriminated him against, and abused by his own family, yet is an area of intrigue to the children, who eventually become his best friends.