to kill a mockingbird education theme essay

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To Kill a Mockingbird: Themes of Education

Back to To Kill a Mockingbird: Novel Study

Life Lessons and Values:

“Until you climb into his skin”

“It’s ugly but those are the facts of life” p.  contrast with Miss Caroline’s “Pre-ju-dice” p. and satirizes the educational system.

“Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird wouldn’t it?” p. 304 Atticus’ parenting style gives them more autonomy, he seems passive but teaches them lessons through what they observe. This is unorthodox and unconventional.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is” p. 124

“Everybody’s gotta learn, nobody’s born knowing… now Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks, folks.” p.250

School in the novel:

“I would be starting school in a week. I never looked forward more to anything in my life.” p. 17

“She found out I was literate and looked at me with more than faint distaste” p. 19

“I mumbled that I was sorry and retired meditating upon my crime” p. 19

“Now tell your father not to teach you any more. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll try and take over from here and try to undo the damage.”

“Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now”

“We don’t write in the first grade, we print. You won’t learn to write until you’re in the third grade.” p18

The cats in Miss Caroline’s story “wore cunning little clothes” whilst the students in front of her to whom she is reading are “ragged, denim-shirted, [and] four-sacked skirted”p.18

“I was the last to leave, I saw her bury her head in her arms” p22.

“Miss Caroline was standing in the middle of the room, sheer horror flooding her face”

“Ain’t no snot-nosed slut of a school teacher ever born c’n make me do nothing’ … He waited until he was sure she was crying and shuffled out of the building.” Irony p28

“We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship [Scout’s teacher said] Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.”

“She [Miss Caroline] was talking with Miss Stephanie Crawford. I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us.”

“Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home” p245 Scout is able to see through the ‘blindspots’  in society.

“I inched sluggishly along the treadmill of the Maycomb county school system, I could not help receiving the impression that I was being cheated out of something.” p. 36 Switch between the naive young Scout and the older, wiser Scout.

Ignorance and lack of formal education:

Lack of self-reflection and ignorance leads to racism. Education can effect change, however slowly: “Atticus Finch won’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby step, but it’s a step.” P.

“Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talking right, they’re got to want to learn themselves” p. 139

Literacy and the Black community:

Baptist Church: Jem suggests they save collection money to buy hymn books – “Calupurnia laughed. ‘Wouldn’t do any good, she said. They can’t read.’ Can’t read? I asked. All those folks?’ ‘That’s right, can’t but four folks in First Purchase read… I’m one of them.” P. 137  Scout’s sense of incredulity with her double questioning and she equates reading with breathing (p. 20) it is so natural to her. Scout’s realization: “That Calupurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me.” P. 138

Sometimes there is a negative reaction to aloofness: “They’d think I was puttin’ on airs” p. 139.  “Quite Miss Mayella-ring me” p.

Childish ignorance to the Black community:

“Why do you talk nigger-talk to the – to your folks when you know it’s not right?” p. 139

“Coloured folks don’t show their ages so fast, she said. ‘Maybe because they can’t read.” P. 138 Learned behaviour

Access to education: “When he was a boy there were no schools” Jim Crow and segregation

Bob Ewell’s pride: “How do you think I sign my relief cheques?” p.

Authorial Intention:

These depictions of schooling highlight Harper Lee’s belief that the education system was too rigid and ill-suited for many children.

Miss caroline serves to personify education. She is ignorant of her own ineffectiveness early on in the novel; this is tempered by Harper Lee with the sympathy and humanity with which we relate to her suffering as her intentions are good but her actions are flawed. This reinforces how the system of educatino as a whole is improperly suited to many of the students.

Harper Lee uses education as a medium to convey the disparity between the two communities: black and white.

Education itself offers enlightenment for the characters however, this is not the ideal: the Cunninghams behave in a more morally upstanding way. Formal education may evade the Cunnighams and the black community but have a moral education: “ good clean living negro”

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To Kill a Mockingbird

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Good, Evil, and Human Dignity

To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout , a precocious six-year-old, over the course of three years as she begins to grow, and in the process, bears witness to the trial of Tom Robinson , a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. As a child, Scout has set ideas regarding what’s good and what’s evil, but throughout the novel, her father, Atticus , gradually begins to encourage her to see that the world…

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird , Scout witnesses many different types of prejudice—and even promotes these attitudes herself—including classism, sexism, and racism. Regardless of the type of prejudicial worldview, each one treats people as stereotyped groups, demands conformity, and doesn’t give any credit to individuals. Over and over again, To Kill a Mockingbird illustrates how prejudice can be closed-minded and dangerous, as well as seemingly benign—but in all cases, it’s ridiculous and misguided.

Though racism…

Over the course of the novel’s three years, Scout , Dill , and Jem grow up both physically and mentally. They begin the novel with a firm and uncomplicated idea of what’s good and what’s bad, but by the end of the novel, they’ve all lost their innocence and have come to a more complex understanding of how people and the world work. In particular, having Scout, whom the reader meets at age six, narrate…

Many people in To Kill a Mockingbird confuse courage with strength and believe that courage is the ability or willingness to use strength to get one’s way. However, the novel makes it abundantly clear that this understanding of courage is immature at best and is possibly wrong altogether. Instead, the novel proposes that courage isn’t about winning. Instead, it’s about thinking about something and choosing to do what’s right, even if doing so is difficult…

Small Town Southern Life

Maycomb is a small town with all the stereotypical characteristics of small-town life. Most notably everyone knows everyone else’s business, which leads mostly to endless and generally harmless gossip—but more importantly, it makes the community extremely intimate and close-knit. Throughout the first part of the novel, these qualities cause Scout and Jem to believe that Maycomb is nothing more than an insular, safe, intimate community. While they’re not entirely wrong about the truth of this…

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To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Themes in to kill a mockingbird, the conflict between good and evil, moral complexity, laws and codes, the existence of social inequality, related posts:, post navigation.

101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples

If you struggle to find “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on prejudice, race, the characters’ courage, or any other issue, look no further. Our team has prepared a list of titles and essay writing tips for this book.

🏆 Best To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics & Examples

📌 most interesting to kill a mockingbird essay titles, 👍 good to kill a mockingbird research topics, ❓ to kill a mockingbird essay questions.

Before we will talk about the do’s and don’ts in essay writing, let’s clarify the types of essay.

When working on “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay thesis, you can focus on the facts of the book or concentrate on your attitude towards its key issues and characters. According to your approach, we can divide essays into two main areas:

• Objective essay: you set out your personal thoughts on a chosen issue and provide supporting arguments and evidence;
• Subjective essay: you express your point of view on a specific topic without claiming the truth and strengthening it with facts.

For example, when you choose a “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on goodness, you will state that Atticus is a kind and fearless. No doubt that this character has a positive role.

On the other hand, when you describe Mayella, you will have to choose: will you condemn her or express pity.

As for the essay content, it can be divided into many subcategories:

• Philosophical essay
• Critical essay
• Literary analysis
• Historical essay, etc.

There are also a few key literary types:

• Feature article, etc.

Do’s & Don’ts When Writing To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

Now, it’s time to talk about what you should write and what to avoid in your paper. First of all, you have to remember that all “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay titles should reveal the essence of the issue.

Recommendations for essay writing:

• Do mark your essay subject at the beginning of the text. “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay hooks will help you to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to emphasize the central issue in the conclusion.
• Do support the style of presentation by your emotions, vision, and opinion. Use the “question-answer” in paragraphs. Make the transitions between paragraphs harmonious and smooth.
• Do use quotes, historical facts, and observations to argue the thesis statement, solve the main issue, and describe the key subject of the paper.
• Do stick to the central thesis of your essay. Avoid deepen into philosophical reflections — tell about concrete facts and examples. Here’s an example: don’t include the facts from the author’s biography if you focus on the events of the book and factors that affect discrimination.
• Do proofread the paper. Read carefully your essay several times and think if your readers will understand your expressions.
• Do not use specific terminology in “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay. For example, when you write about discrimination, you don’t necessarily have to provide its dictionary definition or use complex law, historical and psychological literature, and samples. Just your own language. However, it doesn’t mean that your opinion should seem ungrounded.
• Do add your emotions to the paper. Let your readers feel that you believe in your ideas when defending the essay thesis.
• Don’t choose the header before you write an essay. First, you should write an essay, and only then compile the title of your paper.

Well, now you know about the essay types, what to do, and what to avoid in your essay. Of course, you may ask: “What to write in my own essay?”

The key to success is to start. Check “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay examples on our website to get inspiration. Even the topic seems to you too complicated, start your research, and then you will be able to express new and original thoughts.

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• American Novel: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee It is also worth to mention that the novel is indeed relevant to its readership because it mirrors the nature of society affected by racism and inequality. Through the act of inclusiveness, I am in […]
• What It Takes to Kill a Mockingbird: In Search for the Differences Between the Novel and a Movie The characters both in the novel and in the movie were often pushed to the breaking point; however, one of such moments described in the book was left out of the movie.
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• To Kill a Mockingbird: Movie Analysis Speaking of the movements which convey the essence of the film without any speech “intrusion”, it would be a good idea to drive the example of Boo Radley standing in the darker corner of the […]
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IvyPanda. (2024, March 1). 101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/to-kill-a-mockingbird-essay-examples/

"101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples." IvyPanda , 1 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/to-kill-a-mockingbird-essay-examples/.

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IvyPanda . 2024. "101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples." March 1, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/to-kill-a-mockingbird-essay-examples/.

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How to write a character analysis essay, themes in to kill a mockingbird.

Image: deseret.com

The following review example can serve as a guide for students trying to find inspiration when writing an assignment on the themes in “To Kill a Mockingbird” .

What is it about “To Kill a Mockingbird” that makes it a literary classic? “To Kill a Mockingbird,” written by Harper Lee and published in 1960, is a timeless literary masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers across generations. This iconic novel delves into a tapestry of profound themes that shed light on the complexities of society, morality, and human nature. Harper Lee, who was just 34 years old when she penned this remarkable work, gifted the world with a narrative that remains as relevant and influential today as it was upon its initial release.

The enduring power of “To Kill a Mockingbird” extends far beyond its pages, as it addresses issues of racial injustice, moral integrity, and the human capacity for empathy. Lee’s portrayal of the American South through the eyes of an independent female protagonist provides a unique perspective not often found in the works of other southern women writers. As we explore the major themes of this novel, we gain valuable insights into the author’s intentions and the profound messages she sought to convey, ensuring that the impact of “To Kill a Mockingbird” will endure for decades to come.

In this article, we will focus attention on the most prominent To Kill a Mockingbird’s themes. 

Racial Prejudice

Racial prejudice takes center stage in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” where the story revolves around the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime in a deeply racist Southern community. The question that looms large is how can a Black man ever expect a fair trial when racial hatred is so ingrained in the community that it’s even taught in schools? And what does a jury of one’s peers look like in such a prejudiced environment? These questions about prejudice, especially racism, lie at the heart of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” giving rise to some of its most compelling and unforgettable moments.

Racial conflict within the story leads to two tragic deaths, highlighting the high stakes of racial tension. On a basic level, the novel portrays a straightforward and moralistic view of racial prejudice: White individuals who hold racist beliefs are depicted as morally wrong, while those who reject racism are seen as virtuous. Atticus Finch, the novel’s moral compass, risks his reputation, his standing in the community, and even his children’s safety because he refuses to embrace racism; he represents the embodiment of goodness. On the other hand, characters like Bob Ewell, who falsely accuses a Black man of rape, publicly humiliates Atticus, and attempts to harm a child, stand as symbols of racism’s malevolence and evil.

However, “To Kill a Mockingbird” also attempts to delve into the complexities of life in a racially prejudiced society. Scout and Jem, Atticus’s children, confront not only the discomfort but also the outright hostility that arises from their family’s opposition to racial prejudice. Their commitment to equality positions them in opposition to the wider community, resulting in conflicts and challenges.

Prejudice is pervasive throughout the novel, with numerous characters displaying varying degrees of bigotry. Many residents of Maycomb harbor racist sentiments and prejudices against Black people. For instance, Tom Robinson is automatically assumed guilty of sexually assaulting Mayella Ewell solely because of his race, despite clear evidence suggesting his innocence. During Tom’s trial, Mr. Gilmer, the prosecuting lawyer, expresses shock when Tom admits to feeling sorry for Mayella. The idea of a Black man sympathizing with a white person is so unthinkable in the community that it seems to seal Tom’s fate.

Atticus, in contrast, champions tolerance and equality, values he hopes to instill in his children, Jem and Scout. However, his sister, Aunt Alexandra, embodies a different mindset. This is evident in her treatment of Calpurnia, a Black woman who helps care for the Finch children. When Aunt Alexandra comes to the Finch house to assist while Atticus is busy with the trial, she instructs Calpurnia to carry her suitcase upstairs, a task Atticus would never ask of her. This disparity in treatment reflects Alexandra’s prejudiced beliefs.

The novel further exposes hypocrisy when Aunt Alexandra hosts a missionary tea attended by Maycomb’s ladies. At this gathering, the ladies express pity for the fictional Mruna tribe in Africa, sympathizing with their perceived hardships. Yet, these same women later condemn the Black people in their own community, revealing the extent of their prejudice. Mrs. Merriweather, one of the ladies, exemplifies this hypocrisy. She can show sympathy for a distant tribe but fails to empathize with the Black citizens of Maycomb, dismissing them as lazy and sulky. Her focus on the Mruna tribe stems from their non-Christian status, as she believes that white missionaries can save their souls by converting them to Christianity and introducing them to the Bible.

Dolphus Raymond provides another perspective on prejudice in Maycomb. He pretends to be continuously drunk to divert attention from his unconventional life choices. Raymond is in a relationship with a Black woman and has mixed-race children, a taboo in the community. Consequently, he and his family are treated as outcasts. As Jem observes about Raymond’s mixed-race children, they are rejected by both Black and white communities. Raymond’s deception about his drinking habits serves as a shield, allowing him to lead his life as he sees fit, even if others find it objectionable.

Racial intolerance, though prominent, is not the sole prejudice explored in the novel. Many residents of Maycomb are depicted as narrow-minded and intolerant of anyone who deviates from their expectations. Boo Radley, a reclusive neighbor who hasn’t been seen outside his house for years, becomes the target of gossip and persecution. Neighbors speculate about his mysterious activities, painting him as a shadowy figure who only ventures out at night. Local rumors even depict Boo as a terrifying monster, perpetuating the cycle of prejudice and intolerance.

In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” courage shines through the actions of various characters. First and foremost, Atticus Finch stands out as a symbol of courage. He demonstrates this quality by agreeing to defend Tom Robinson, fully aware that it will bring trouble to him and his family. Despite the slim chances of winning the case in a deeply prejudiced society, Atticus takes on the challenge. His courage is further evident when he guards Tom Robinson’s prison cell alone, knowing there’s a high risk of a lynch mob attempting to harm Tom. Throughout the novel, Atticus consistently opposes racism and encourages his children to do the same. He emphasizes the importance of not using derogatory language like the N-word, teaching Scout and Jem about the courage it takes to stand up against injustice.

Atticus’s courage extends to his marksmanship when he shoots a rabid dog that poses a threat to the neighborhood. Despite his reputation as “One-Shot Finch” from his youth, he hasn’t handled a gun in 30 years. Taking on the responsibility of eliminating the dangerous dog requires immense bravery. Remarkably, Atticus doesn’t reveal this skill to his children because he wants them to understand that true courage isn’t defined by marksmanship.

Other characters also exhibit acts of courage throughout the novel. Miss Maudie, for instance, displays courage when her house burns down. Instead of wallowing in despair, she remains optimistic and focuses on the opportunity to have a larger garden. Boo Radley, the reclusive neighbor, shows courage when he intervenes to protect Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell’s threats, even though it means leaving the security of his home.

Mrs. Dubose is yet another example of courage. She battles a morphine addiction, determined to break free from it before her death. Unbeknownst to Jem, reading to her aids in her struggle to overcome the addiction. Her decision becomes even more courageous when it’s clear that there’s no immediate need for her to quit the drug, given her terminal illness. Mrs. Dubose’s bravery stems from her personal satisfaction in wanting to be drug-free at the time of her passing. Her battle is a deeply personal one, and most of Maycomb remains unaware of the inner strength it takes for her to face it. Atticus believes that her quiet courage, unseen by many, makes her even braver. He wants Scout and Jem to witness her struggle to understand that courage often involves doing difficult things that others may never comprehend or may even criticize. This prepares them for the bravery they’ll need during Tom Robinson’s trial.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” underscores the idea that standing up for what is right demands both courage and bravery. These traits are exemplified by various characters in the story, while others exhibit cowardice. Atticus, the Finch children, and even Boo Radley exemplify courage and bravery as they stand up for justice and morality, even in the face of danger and adversity.

Justice vs Law

The book conveys the idea that adhering to the law doesn’t always equate to achieving justice. Laws, being human-made, are not without their flaws. Sometimes, strict adherence to the letter of the law doesn’t lead to true justice. Atticus comes to understand that doing what is right and just may require going beyond the confines of the legal system. Laws, he realizes, are shaped by society’s values, even when those values are rooted in hatred and prejudice. This is starkly evident in the case of Tom Robinson, where his innocence is glaringly apparent to those willing to see the facts. Yet, the deep-seated prejudice within the justice system prevents the delivery of true justice.

While the trial of Tom Robinson occupies only a small portion of the book, it serves as the focal point around which the rest of the narrative revolves. This trial serves as a critique of the legal system, particularly as it functions within the town of Maycomb. Procedurally, the trial follows the rules. The judge oversees the proceedings, the lawyers present their cases, and the jury is selected in the usual manner. However, the all-white jury’s decision doesn’t align with the evidence or the law; instead, it reflects their own biases. Tom Robinson’s unjust verdict underscores the limitations of the legal system, prompting readers to question the fairness of a “fair trial.”

Atticus, while acknowledging the flaws in the legal system, maintains his faith in due process. Simultaneously, he believes that the law should be applied differently based on an individual’s circumstances. He explains to Scout that while she enjoys a privileged life with ample opportunities, others face far greater challenges and fewer prospects. In certain situations, he suggests it’s just to allow these individuals some leeway in breaking the law to prevent them from being unduly harmed by its rigid enforcement.

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• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 1-2
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 3-4
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 5-6
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 7-8
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 9-10
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 11-12
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 13-14
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 15-16
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 17-18
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 19-20
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 21-22
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 23-24
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 25-26
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 27-28
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapters 29-30
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Novel Summary: Chapter 31
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Character Profiles
• To Kill A Mockingbird: Metaphor Analysis

To Kill A Mockingbird: Theme Analysis

• To Kill A Mockingbird: Top Ten Quotes
• To Kill a Mockingbird: Biography: Harper Lee

During the first half of Mockingbird Harper Lee constructs a sweet and affectionate portrait of growing up in the vanished world of small town Alabama..  Lee, however, proceeds to undermine her portrayal of small town gentility during the second half of the book.  Lee dismantles the sweet facade to reveal a rotten, rural underside filled with social lies, prejudice, and ignorance.  But no one in Mockingbird is completely good or evil.  Every character is human, with human flaws and weaknesses.  Lee even renders Atticus, the paragon of morality, symbolically weak by making him an old and widowed man as opposed to young and virile.  It is how these flawed characters influence and are influenced by the major themes underpinning their society. Three major themes run through To Kill a Mockingbird: education, bravery, and prejudice.  We learn how important education is to Atticus and his children in the first chapter when Jem announces to Dill that Scout has known how to read since she was a baby.  Atticus reads to the children from newspapers and magazines as if they are adults who can understand issues at his level.  By the time Scout attends her first day of school she is highly literate, far surpassing the other children in the classroom and frustrating her teacher whose task it is to teach her students according to a predetermined plan. It soon becomes clear why Atticus thinks education is so important.  During his closing arguments Atticus explicitly acknowledges the ignorance blinding people's minds and hearts: "the witnesses for the state.have presented themselves to you gentlemen.in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the.evil assumption.that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber" (217).  Education is the key to unlocking the ignorance that causes such prejudice.  Jem begins to understand this lesson toward the end of the book when he wonders whether family status could be based more on education than on bloodlines. Jem also learns powerful lessons from his father regarding bravery and cowardice.  Early in Mockingbird we learn that Atticus does not approve of guns.  He believes that guns do not make men brave and that the children's fascination with guns is unfounded.  To prove his point, he sends Jem to read for Mrs. Dubose who struggles to beat her morphine addiction before she dies.  He wants to show his son one shows true bravery "when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" (121).  Atticus also role models his sense of bravery by refusing to carry a gun to protect Tom Robinson from angry farmers and refusing to carry a gun to protect himself after Bob Ewell threatens guns.  But bravery runs deeper than the decision to carry a gun.  Atticus shows bravery when he takes Tom's case despite knowing that his town would turn against him and his children.  Jem shows bravery when the children intervene on behalf of Atticus and Jem refuses to leave his father's side during the showdown with farmers at the jailhouse.  And, perhaps the biggest lesson Scout must learn is to turn away and show real bravery rather than fight when people antagonize her.  The most important theme of Mockingbird remains the notion of prejudice in all of its forms.  Clearly, with the Tom Robinson case, Lee's characters deal with racial prejudice head on.  References to black men as "niggers" and "boys" persist throughout the book.  Black people occupy the lowest class level of Maycomb society as Maycomb's white population of every class waste no time reinforcing their rigid class rules.  The fact that Atticus realizes that he has no chance to win his case defending Tom because Tom is black offers the most explicit indicator of deep-rooted racism.  His closing argument in Chapter Twenty clearly outlines Atticus's views on racism.  However, Lee also shows us prejudice as it pertains to gender and social class.  Although the entire town subscribes outwardly to traditional gender roles and class distinctions, Aunt Alexandra stands plays the greatest role in reinforcing these notions within the Finch family.  Alexandra believes that because the Finch family comes from a long line of landowners who have been the county for generations they deserve greater respect than do other people and they must comport themselves according to their status.  She refuses to associate with both black and white citizens alike because they do not fill the same social position. Atticus, on the other hand, urges his children to sympathize with others and to "walk in their skin" before they judge or criticize others.  Scout suffers acutely from the stereotypes imposed upon her because of the rigid sexism and gender rules that govern southern life.  Scout hates to wear dresses and the find the accusation that she "acts like a girl" highly offensive.  Although the characters do not explicitly deal with gender issues, Lee does offer several characters, Miss Maudie and Miss Stephanie in particular, who illustrate the broad spectrum of southern womanhood that lies beneath the simplistic "southern belle" stereotype. 

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Themes and Analysis

To kill a mockingbird, by harper lee.

The theme of race and injustice is a powerful element of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee that makes the novel a great sensation.

Article written by Onyekachi Osuji

B.A. in Public Administration and certified in Creative Writing (Fiction and Non-Fiction)

Race is the most prominent theme in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. However, Lee also explores other important themes like innocence, reputation, and parenting in the novel. The novel is written in the first-person narrative, but Lee’s genius shows in how she balances the limited perspective of the first-person narrator and the need to give readers a complete picture of events.

Race is a major theme in To Kill A Mockingbird . We see racial inequality and injustice in the Depression-Era South throughout the novel . The most striking evidence of racial injustice is the unfair accusation of rape on Tom Robinson—Mayella Ewell and her father Bob contrive to accuse Tom of rape because they cannot stand it being known by the public that Mayella who is white tried to seduce a black man. Then we see the racism of the people in the mob that attempt to lynch Tom Robinson before his trial and ultimately, in the jury who pronounce him guilty despite strong evidence and a brilliant argument by Atticus Finch in his defense.

Aside the prominent case of racism against Tom Robinson, we also see other instances of racism in the social structure of the South at the time. The blacks live in separate neighborhoods from the whites, most of the black people are illiterate because there are no schools for them, and the career options available to the blacks are limited to domestic servants, field hands, and garbage collectors.

Another subtle indication of racism is Aunt Alexandra’s outrage that Scout lacks a female influence in her life despite knowing that Calpurnia is a female and has been in Scout’s life since birth. Calpurnia’s feminine influence on Scout counts as nothing to Aunt Alexandra because Calpurnia is a black woman and Scout a white girl.

To Kill A Mockingbird addresses the interplay between what the public perceives a person to be and what a person truly is. In the novel, we see that sometimes, people are truly what their reputation says they are, while some other people are different from what they are reputed to be.

Atticus Finch is a man whose reputation is consistent with his true personality. He is known across town as a ”n****r lover” which he truly is, and every other aspect of his character is public knowledge. In Maudie Atkinson’s words: ”Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.”

For some other characters, their reputation is a misrepresentation of their personality. For instance, Boo Radley’s reputation as a monster is wrong because, in truth, he is a kind young man who is just shy and keeps to himself. Another instance is Mr Dolphus Raymond’s reputation as a drunkard, which is false as he is a sober man who is a happy and loving father and husband to his colored wife and children. He keeps up that reputation for giving society something to cling to as a reason to pity him while they condemn his decisions.

Childlike Innocence

Childlike innocence is a powerful theme in To Kill A Mockingbird. Childlike innocence exposes the folly of racial and class prejudice exhibited by adults. And the irony is that the adults are the ones who should know better but end up being the ignorant ones. Scout as a child does not see any reason to discriminate against people because of gender and class and she becomes saddened by the realization that the society in which she lives has such prejudicial sentiments.

We also see how the evil ways of adults can threaten and corrupt childlike innocence. For instance, Aunt Alexandra’s grandson Francis, learns racial slurs against blacks from his conventionally southern white grandparents.

At the end of the day, Scout’s experiences of hatred and racial prejudice in her hometown make her wise beyond her age but she still maintains her childhood innocence of regarding people as equal and protecting the helpless.

Gender is a social construct that comes with expectations and limitations in the South. There are expectations of how a girl ought to dress, and act, and standards of propriety for ladies.

Scout, a girl, dresses, and plays like a boy. Early in their childhood, her being a girl makes no difference to her brother Jem and friend Dill, but as they grow up, they begin to exclude her from their play and from their secrets for the reason that she is a girl.

Aunt Alexandra always disapproves of Scout for being a tomboy and insists that Scout ought to wear dresses and play with dolls with is a conventionally feminine way for a girl to behave.

Scout meets the white ladies of the County when her aunt Alexandra hosts them in their home and the hypocrisy of their speech and manners makes her feel more like an outsider to people of her own gender.

Injustice and Unfairness

In To Kill A Mockingbird, we see that there is injustice and unfairness in the world and that even the law sometimes cannot protect the innocent from injustice.

Tom Robinson is pronounced guilty and killed violently despite being an innocent good man. It shows that good does not always prevail over evil and that the cruelty of the world sometimes succeeds in destroying good harmless people.

Analysis of Key Moments

• Two siblings, Scout and Jem live in a nice neighborhood with their widowed father Atticus Finch. The siblings only play with each other as there are no other children in the neighborhood to play with until a boy named Dill visits one summer and they become friends.
• There is a house in the neighborhood that is always shut and never receives visitors. The occupants of the house are the Radleys and their son Boo Radley is never seen outside which makes children formulate many legends about him being a monster.
• The children devise various plots to see Boo Radley but never succeed.
• Atticus Finch’s sister Alexandra comes to live with them because she does not approve of Atticus’s unconventional parenting style
• Atticus is assigned to defend a crippled black man called Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a white young lady called Mayella Ewell.
• Atticus goes to guard the accused Tom Robinson in his cell following rumors that a mob is trying to lynch him.
• Scout, Jem, and Dill surreptitiously follow Atticus to the cell.
• When the lynching mob arrives, Scout unwittingly talks them out of their intention to lynch Tom Robinson.
• Tom Robinson goes to trial but is pronounced guilty by the jury despite Atticus Finch’s strong argument and defense.
•  Atticus promises Tom that they will appeal the decision of the court. But before that, Tom is killed while trying to escape from prison.
•  Bob Ewell, the father of the allegedly raped Mayella Ewell, who felt Atticus Finch humiliated him in court, attacks Jem and Scout on their way back from a Halloween party. Boo Radley rescues them from the attack and the children’s perception of him changes from phantom to hero.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told in the first-person narration. The story is a flashback to childhood days of the past and a narration of those events in retrospect . The current age of the narrator is not specified but we know that the narrator is older and has gained more wisdom with age as she narrates the events.

Even though there are some complex words in the novel, the diction is generally simple. The writing style is not flowery or exaggeratedly artistic, the writing is direct and conversational.

The tone of the narrator is nostalgic and playful at the beginning but becomes progressively melancholic as she narrates grave events.

Sarcasm and euphemism are also prominent figures of speech used in the novel. For instance, on page 79, Harper Lee simplifies Aunt Alexandra’s sexual copulation with her husband, the conception and birth of her child as: ” Long ago, in a burst of friendliness, Aunty and Uncle Jimmy produced a son called Henry.” Read more quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird here .

Foreshadowing is a notable literary device deployed in the story. For instance, the climactic event of Scout and Jem’s attack is foreshadowed by the statement ”And thus began our longest walk together.”

Analysis of Symbols

The mockingbird.

The Mockingbird is a symbol of goodness and innocence that should be allowed to exist and thrive but is unfortunately preyed upon and destroyed by the wickedness and injustice in the world. The character Tom Robinson is a mockingbird—an innocent man who works hard, takes care of his family, does not make any trouble, and renders assistance to those in need of it without asking for anything in return. But unfortunately, the unjust society in which he lives destroys him with a false rape allegation and a violent death.

Boo Radley is another mockingbird whose personality is subdued by his family’s cruelty.

The Mockingbird gives the novel its title as Atticus teaches his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.

The Rabid Dog

This symbolizes the unpleasant reality which looms in the South but that the average people would rather not confront. The rabid dog poses a danger to all but none of the people in the neighborhood take any decisive action to confront it, they rather retire indoors and shut their doors. Even the sheriff stalls and manages to place the task of killing the dog on Atticus Finch.

The rabid dog is just as unpleasant and as dangerous as racism but even the good people in Maycomb County are afraid to confront it and the fight is and so the responsibility is always left on Atticus Finch’s shoulders.

The Refuse Dump

The refuse dump is the abode of the Ewells. Living in the refuse dump symbolizes that the Ewells are trash both literally and figuratively.

What is the main message in To Kill A Mockingbird ?

The main message in To Kill A Mockingbird is that it is wrong to prey on the innocent and that racial prejudice is cruel and wrong.

Who is the narrator in To Kill A Mockingbird ?

The narrator of To Kill A Mockingbird is a girl called Scout. Her full name is Jean Louise Finch and narrates the story as she recalls the events that took place during her childhood. She is a white girl from a relatively wealthy home. She is playful, stubborn, and tomboyish and begins to realize that she lives in a racially prejudiced society as she comes of age.

Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?

The answer to this is given by Miss Maudie Atkinson when she explains to Scout that the only thing mockingbirds do is make music for others to enjoy, they do not destroy people’s crops, do not nest in corncribs, and so it is a kill to kill such a creature that does nothing but bring pleasantness to others.

Is To Kill A Mockingbird based on a true story?

No, To Kill A Mockingbird is not based on a true story, it is fictional.

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About Onyekachi Osuji

Onyekachi was already an adult when she discovered the rich artistry in the storytelling craft of her people—the native Igbo tribe of Africa. This connection to her roots has inspired her to become a Literature enthusiast with an interest in the stories of Igbo origin and books from writers of diverse backgrounds. She writes stories of her own and works on Literary Analysis in various genres.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee, to kill a mockingbird essay questions.

Analyze the relationship between Boo Radley and the children. How does this relationship change throughout the book? What are the causes of the developments in this relationship?

Discuss the concept of fear as presented in the novel. Compare the children's early fear of Boo Radley to their fear or lack thereof when Bob Ewell attacks them. Is Scout correct in stating that real fear can only be found in books?

Discuss the concept of family and Lee's presentation of the American family. What does it consist of?

Although critized openly, Atticus is respected throughout the town of Maycomb. Why is this true?

Discuss the concept of education. Does Lee argue for a dominance of education in the home or institutionalized education? What evidence does she provide?

Trace the theme of the mockingbird throughout the novel and analyze what the bird symbolizes or represents.

Trace Boo Radley's development from monster to savior. How does Scout's understanding of Boo develop? What lessons does Boo teach Scout?

Discuss Atticus's approach to parenting. What is his relationship with his children? Can his parenting style be criticized? If so, how?

Scout and Jem mature considerably through the course of the novel. What developmental changes do they go through, and what causes these changes?

Discuss the town of Maycomb as you might discuss a main character in the book. What is the identity or "character" of the town, and how (if at all) does it change and grow over the years? How does its diversity give it a pluralistic character?

Discuss law as it is represented in To Kill A Mockingbird . What power and limitations exist within the legal system according to Atticus, Jem, and Scout?

To Kill a Mockingbird Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for To Kill a Mockingbird is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Discuss the concept of education.

Shortly after the novel begins, Scout starts her first year at school. The educational system in Maycomb leaves much to be desired. Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught...

How old was Scout when her mother died?

Scout's mother died when she was two years old.

Our mother died when I was two, so I never felt her absence.

Where can I find the literary devices used in each chapter a book?

To find literary devices used in each chapter of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, you can refer to literary analysis guides, study aids, or academic resources that offer chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. Here are a few places where you might...

Study Guide for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee. The To Kill a Mockingbird study guide contains a biography of Harper Lee, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About To Kill a Mockingbird
• To Kill a Mockingbird Summary
• To Kill a Mockingbird Video
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Essays for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

• The Impact of Class Structure
• Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Journey Motif in Works of American Literature
• Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird and Goin' Someplace Special
• Character Analysis in To Kill A Mockingbird

Lesson Plan for To Kill a Mockingbird

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher

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18 Critical To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes, Explained

General Education

Not only is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird one of the most widely taught books in American high schools, but it's also one of the most popular books in general. In fact, it was just recently voted "America’s favorite novel" ! Its popularity has endured for decades, and it’s still taught in schools across the United States today.

That’s why we’re explaining the top 18 To Kill a Mockingbird quotes for you. In addition to becoming familiar with the stand-out moments of the novel, by the end of this article you’ll have a deeper understanding of the book’s themes, characters, and most important elements .

A Brief Overview of To Kill a Mockingbird

Before we jump into our picks for the most important To Kill a Mockingbird quotes, here’s a very, very brief overview of To Kill a Mockingbird's plot. (But make sure you read the book yourself— it’s definitely a book you need to know !)

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee that was published in 1960. It tells the story of events that take place in Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930s. The narrator is Scout Finch, a six-year-old girl whose father, Atticus, is a prominent lawyer in the town.

Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, which makes the Finch family social pariahs. (Remember: this book takes place before the Civil Rights Movement in the United States!) The book follows Scout for three years as she and her brother, Jem, learn to navigate the racism in their community.

No w that you’ve had a quick refresher of the book’s plot, let’s dive into our picks for the best To Kill a Mockingbird quotes to know!

Mockingbirds are common in the American South and are famous for mimicking the calls of other birds ... which is where they get their name! 

18 Critical To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes

We now introduce to you 18 of the most important To Kill a Mockingbird quotes you should know. In this section, you'll find an array of thought-provoking quotes, from To Kill a Mockingbird racism quotes that discuss one of the novel's central themes, to Atticus Finch quotes and more.

Quote #1: It’s a Sin to Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus said to Jem one day, "I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. "Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." (p. 88)

This first quote on our list of critical TKAM quotes provides the book with its title, so we know it's important. Whenever you encounter a quote like this and want to analyze it, you should first ask yourself what the author is trying to tell you .

On the surface, this passage seems to have little to do with the novel’s major theme (racism) or any of its minor themes (morality, childhood, and the reality of rural Southern communities), but if we think about it, we find that it actually does .

On the one hand, these lines show that Scout is learning the community shares a set of values . Atticus isn’t the only person who thinks it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird; Miss Maudie, the neighbor across the street, does, too. Ultimately, the mockingbird is a symbol of goodness and hope, so this passage teaches readers about the difference between good and evil. The mockingbird and what it represents is "good," and killing it—or, rather, destroying innocence—is evil.

As Scout learns these values, she grows out of her childhood and into the shared society of Maycomb, her town. One of the many themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is Scout’s coming of age , or her growth out of childhood innocence and into adulthood. The technical name for this type of story is a bildungsroman , which is German for "education novel," but usually we just call them coming-of-age stories.

Quote #2: Atticus on Empathy

"First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (p. 32)

This is definitely one of the most important Atticus Finch quotes to know.

Empathy , or the ability to understand another person’s experiences, is another major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird , and Atticus serves as the moral compass of the book. For Scout and many other characters, Atticus is a model of what a good person should be: someone who values others and stands up for what’s right, no matter what society says.

To Kill a Mockingbird explores why racism exists and how we can counteract it. This line of dialogue, which comes early in the book, succinctly sums up Atticus’s opinion of racism: it’s an inability or unwillingness to try to understand the perspective of one who is unlike oneself . Throughout the book, we watch Scout take this lesson to heart as she tries to empathize with the perspectives of a diverse set of people in her community.

Atticus and Tom Robinson in the 1962 film adaptation of TKAM

Quote #3: Atticus on Courage

In a flash Atticus was up and standing over him. Jem buried his face in Atticus’s shirt front.

"Sh-h," he said. "I think that was her way of telling you—everything’s all right now, Jem, everything’s all right. You know, she was a great lady."

"A lady?" Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. "After all those things she said about you, a lady?"

"She was. She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe ... son, I told you that if you hadn’t lost your head I’d have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her—I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew." (p. 107)

Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who is able to conquer her addiction with Jem’s help. Initially she is racist and harsh, which terrifies Scout and Jem, but Atticus admires her because she lived "according to her views."

As you read these To Kill a Mockingbird quotes, you’ll notice the Atticus Finch quotes in which he’s speaking to Jem are quite different from those spoken to Scout . Atticus tries throughout the book to give Jem an alternative way of being courageous—and, consequently, an alternative way of being a good man. Atticus tries to show Jem that he can be brave simply by pursuing what he believes is right, even though he might ultimately fail. This quote teaches us that being a moral person can be courageous in itself .

In the first quote, we looked at how the book traces Scout’s growth, but one thing that makes this book so appealing is that the other characters all show growth, too. Jem is a little older than Scout—he’s 12 years old in Part Two—so he’s just about to grow into adulthood. This is a difficult time in a person’s life because they’re trying to find their place in society, so it’s important to Atticus that Jem understands violence isn’t brave at all .

Quote #4: Atticus on Conscience

"Well, most folks seem to think they’re right and you’re wrong ..."

"They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience." (p. 101)

While Scout and Jem’s growth in the book relates to their increasing knowledge of the adult society of Maycomb, Atticus’s growth relates to his desire to transcend these societal norms . He sees the ways that Maycomb’s ideas about race, manhood, and morality hurt many of its citizens.

What makes Atticus such a moral character is his tendency to follow his own instincts regarding what is right or wrong, rather than following the customs of his community. Because he is a very visible political figure in town, this characteristic sometimes makes him unpopular.

Quote #5: Atticus on Racism

"The older you grow the more of it you’ll see. The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash." (p. 207)

This is one of the more interesting To Kill a Mockingbird racism quotes because it’s one in which Atticus's thoughts on race are most clearly presented. Whereas many of the townspeople believe that white people are superior to black people, Atticus believes all people should have equal representation in a court of law . In other words, Atticus takes a bold stance against racism.

Furthermore, he states that a white man who uses his privilege to cheat a black man is, in fact, inferior to that black man. This would’ve been a very unpopular opinion in the community in this time period, and this passage is yet another example of Atticus's learning to transcend the customs of his community in order to live a more moral life.

Maudie and Jem in the 1962 film ( Classic Film /Flickr, used under CC BY-NC 2.0 )

Quote #6: Jem on Family

"What if he was kin to us, Aunty?"

"The fact is that he is not kin to us, but if he were, my answer would be the same."

"Aunty," Jem spoke up, "Atticus says you can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family, an’ they’re still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge ’em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don’t." (p. 210)

One of the most appealing aspects of To Kill a Mockingbird is that it gives us insight into what it means to be a family. Although Scout’s mother is absent—we don’t even learn her first name—we watch Atticus do his best to be a good father to Scout and Jem. Likewise, Scout and Jem are always doing their best to live up to Atticus’s example of decency .

While they aren’t a typical Maycomb family, they’re bonded together by love and respect. Through them, Lee shows readers that family isn’t about having two parents—it’s about the love that binds people together.

Quote #7: Atticus on Equality

"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal." (p. 193)

Each character has his or her own conflict in To Kill a Mockingbird , and Atticus’s primary conflict is the clash between what he knows to be morally correct and the expectations of his community .

Here, we have another of the Atticus quotes in which he states that the goals of the courtroom, which are to create a just and equal society, are more important than the limitations of the local community; thus, they should not be subject to the same prejudices. Atticus is bold in these public assertions, which puts him in conflict with some of the other people in Maycomb.

Quote #8: Atticus on Empathy (Again)

"An’ they chased him ’n’ never could catch him ’cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things ... Atticus, he was real nice ..."

His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." (p. 263)

Once again, Atticus is teaching Scout to empathize with other people’s perspectives. Although Atticus is morally in conflict with the culture of Maycomb for much of the book, he is driven by the belief that everyone is, at heart, a decent person .

He understands that his fellow townspeople are sometimes driven by the pressure to conform to social customs rather than their own sense of right and wrong. Atticus seems to believe that if everyone were to follow their ethical instincts, they would choose to behave in a way that is moral, and this is the lesson he consistently tries to instill in Scout.

Quote #9: Scout on Class

"No, everybody’s gotta learn, nobody’s born knowin’. That Walter’s as smart as he can be, he just gets held back sometimes because he has to stay out and help his daddy. Nothin’s wrong with him. Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks." (p. 212)

Walter Cunningham, Jr. is the son of a poor farmer who cannot afford to pay Atticus and instead pays him with things such as stovewood and hickory nuts.

Here, Scout is applying the lessons on empathy she’s learned from Atticus in order to understand the experiences of someone from a lower class. She realizes that though Walter doesn’t have the same advantages she does, he is doing his best to learn nonetheless . Not only does this quote show Scout’s growth as a character, but it also reinforces To Kill a Mockingbird ’s theme of empathy.

Quote #10: Atticus on Nobility

"Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess. You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change ... it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning."

"Atticus, are we going to win it?"

"No, honey."

"Then, why—"

"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," Atticus said. (p. 75)

In this To Kill a Mockingbird quote, Atticus is telling Scout how to behave with honor in the face of adversity . Atticus’s conviction in his own morality puts not only himself in conflict with the townsfolk, but also, as he understands, his family. As someone who cares deeply about his family, Atticus tries to prepare them for the backlash; however, he also teaches them that there is dignity in defeat, so long as one follows their best ethical judgment.

Quote #11: Calpurnia on How to Treat Company

"There’s some folks who don’t eat like us," she whispered fiercely, "but you ain’t called on to contradict ’em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?"

"He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham—"

"Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ’em—if you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!" (p. 28)

Again, Scout learns a lesson about class differences , and this time it comes from the family’s housekeeper, Calpurnia. The fact that Scout is receiving life lessons from an African American woman who is treated not only as an equal but also as a member of the family is an example of how different the Finches are from most of the other townsfolk.

It also shows readers who might have their own prejudices that people who are different from them are still people —and they deserve to be treated as equals and with kindness.

Quote #12: Atticus on Children

"Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles ’em. ..." (p. 85)

This is one of the lesser-known Atticus Finch quotes, but it's still an important one. Here, Atticus is talking to his brother John Hale Finch after Scout is heard cursing. This quote shows how Atticus treats his children as if they are as intelligent as adults (in this case, as if they are perhaps more intelligent than adults).

Atticus always treats everyone with respect and is very insightful in his views of human behavior, and this quote reveals his thoughts on parenting. He never claims authority over his children but rather leads by example, treating them more as peers than as kids. The fact that his children call him by his first name, Atticus, shows that they consider themselves on equal footing with him as well.

Quote #13: Atticus on Embellishment

"Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I’d have the facts." (p. 59)

This quote is Scout’s reply to Jem after he tries to impress her with his knowledge of Ancient Egypt. Although it’s a fairly off-hand comment on Scout’s part, it does help us understand a few things about Atticus.

One is that this is yet another example of his influence over his children. His opinions inform theirs throughout the whole book.

Another, more important, aspect of Atticus that this comment reveals is his straightforward moral sensibility . You can apply this to his decision to defend Tom Robinson. After deleting the adjective "black," Tom Robinson is no longer a "black man" but simply a man, which is the fact that guides the way Atticus treats and represents Tom.

Quote #14: Atticus on Scout’s Behavior

Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life. I suggested that one could be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well, but Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam, that I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year. She hurt my feelings and set my teeth permanently on edge, but when I asked Atticus about it, he said there were already enough sunbeams in the family and to go on about my business, he didn’t mind me much the way I was. (p. 80)

Aunt Alexandra is Atticus’s older sister and is often more conservative than him. Here, she criticizes Scout’s dress and behavior, which would be described as "tomboyish."

Despite Aunt Alexandra’s criticism, Atticus encourages Scout to act and dress as she wishes. For the place and time period, Atticus is socially progressive, and this quote shows us another aspect in which Atticus trusts his children to be themselves and doesn’t try to force social customs upon them .

Quote #15: Miss Maudie on Religion

"There are just some kind of men who—who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results."

Miss Maudie stopped rocking, and her voice hardened.

"You are too young to understand it," she said, "but sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of—oh, of your father." (p. 46)

Although all the characters in the book are more or less devout Christians, many of them do not behave as such. These people often act with prejudice, malice, and fear. The hypocrisy of being outwardly religious but not compassionate or empathetic is one of the ironies that drives Atticus to act on Tom’s behalf.

In this quotation, Miss Maudie is correct that many of the most dangerous people in the town are the most devout. Atticus is once again held up to a high standard of behavior.

Quote #16: Scout on Reading

I mumbled that I was sorry and retired meditating upon my crime. I never deliberately learned to read, but somehow I had been wallowing illicitly in the daily papers. In the long hours of church—was it then I learned? I could not remember not being able to read hymns. Now that I was compelled to think about it, reading was something that just came to me ... I could not remember when the lines above Atticus’s moving finger separated into words, but I had stared at them all the evenings in my memory, listening to the news of the day, Bills to Be Enacted into Laws, the diaries of Lorenzo Dow—anything Atticus happened to be reading when I crawled into his lap every night. Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing. (p. 21)

In this passage, Scout has been discouraged from reading by her teacher, Miss Caroline, who disapproves of Atticus having already taught Scout to read. As this quote illustrates, Scout considers reading to not only be a pleasure in itself, but also a major aspect of her relationship with her father and an essential aspect of her identity (as essential as breathing).

Here, we see how Atticus’s nurturing of his daughter’s intelligence has led to her rebellious, questioning identity, and it also reveals his own progressive views . Atticus’s choice of reading matter (the news of the day, Bills to Be Enacted into Laws, the diaries of the eccentric traveling preacher Lorenzo Dow) gives us insight into Atticus’s interests as well.

The fact that Atticus would share with a child as young as Scout such mature reading material reveals the respect he afforded her. He’s not trying to protect Scout from the realities of the world around her—instead, he wants to expose her to ideas so she can become an independent thinker and, hopefully, a kind person. That’s why Scout is upset to have lost not only the privilege of reading but also an important aspect of her friendship with her father .

Quote #17: Scout on Summer

Summer was on the way; Jem and I awaited it with impatience. Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill. (p. 36)

The book takes place over about a two-year period, and we know this because Scout’s friend Dill, who only visits during the summer, visits three times. Many of the most memorable scenes take place during the summer (such as the incident with the rabid dog, the visits from Dill, the search for Boo Radley, and the hot courtroom of Tom Robinson’s trial), making the heat of summer almost like another character in the book .

Summer is also the time that the rebellious Scout is free from the social pressures of school — is able to pursue her own interests and behave how she wishes . Summer symbolizes freedom and adventure for Scout, as it still does for many American students today!

Many authors think of setting (the time and place in which a story takes place) as one of the most important elements of a book. Setting is one of the ways in which readers most pleasurably engage with a book, because a well-described location can seem like a new world into which we can escape.

Quote #18: Scout on Jem’s Broken Arm

This is the opening paragraph of the book. Interestingly, the book begins with the last event of the entire book, Jem’s broken arm. Actually, the entire book serves as Scout’s explanation of how Jem came to break his arm.

This also tells us that the narrator, Scout, is living long after the events of the novel and is looking back in time in order to tell her story. This gives the book an atmosphere of nostalgia —we know she is recalling a childhood that has long since passed.

Many coming-of-age stories begin with the author long after the time frame of the book looking backward and watching themselves learn the lessons that seem important in retrospect. Why do authors do this? Because recalling the events from some future time period gives the narrator an excuse to understand what's important about the story in a way that someone living through it at the time wouldn’t.

As we go through our lives each day, we don’t know what is going to be important until after the fact — after we’ve learned our lessons and look back on what led us to learn them.    

5 Questions to Consider When Analyzing Book Quotes

Analyzing important quotations isn’t magic, but it does take practice. Whether you're looking at TKAM quotes or quotes from another book, you'll need to know how to analyze them smartly.

Here are the questions you need to ask yourself to be able to pick out the most important quotes in a book and analyze them like a pro.

#1: Why Is the Author Telling Us This?

Think of a work of literature as a series of choices an author has made intentionally in order to communicate something to the reader. So, when you encounter a passage that strikes you as significant in some way, try to place yourself in the author’s perspective and figure out why you think the author made the choices they did.

#2: What Does This Tell Us About the Character?

Characters are people, and, like people we know in our actual lives, they make decisions and act according to their motivations. Whenever a character does not seem to be realistically motivated, the character fails to move us. So ask yourself what the selection tells us about a character’s motivation and perspective .

#3: How Does the Setting Influence the Story?

A character who lives in a broken-down school bus in a junkyard will have a different perspective and will make different decisions than a character who lives in a 30-story housing complex. Both of these are examples of poverty, but they entail very different experiences —rural versus urban, and isolated versus overcrowded. Likewise, a story that takes place in a junkyard would have a completely different set of pressures.

Think about how the setting influences To Kill a Mockingbird . It’s set in the rural Southern United States, with its hundreds of years of slavery and racism. That creates a set of pressures quite different from, say, those in a major European city. In fact, To Kill a Mockingbird wouldn’t work if it were set anywhere else! Talking about why that is can lead to some really stellar analysis.

#4: What Can This Teach Me About My Own Life?

The reason literature is important is that it gives us insight into other peoples’ lives . As Atticus says, it allows us to "climb into [other people’s] skin and walk around in it." This gives us more understanding for perspectives unlike our own and broadens our sense of experience.

When you come across a passage in a book that hooks you for some reason, ask yourself why this specific passage feels relevant to you. What experiences have you had that are similar or intersect with this quote? This can be an excellent writing prompt if you’re looking for inspiration for a new essay.

#5: How Is This Still Relevant?

When you read the news headlines or current events, do you still see articles about racism? Are people still falsely accused of crimes, and do they sometimes get convicted due to the systemic biases of their communities? Is this still a thing?

Yes, it is. Sadly, it likely always will be, and that is why To Kill a Mockingbird is still so relevant, even 60 years since its publication. Likewise, communities still have common cultures, fathers still love their children, and little girls still chafe against the expectations of feminine dress and behavior.

Every generation finds new aspects of classic literature that inspire them and that they can relate to. When you’re trying to analyze a passage, try to find ways of relating it to the present-day world.

Beyond To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes: Further Reading

Want to learn more about To Kill a Mockingbird ? Here are four articles and books that will give you greater insight into Harper Lee’s famous novel!

"Why Harper Lee Struggled to Write Again After To Kill a Mockingbird " by Casey Cep

This excerpt from Cep’s book Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee describes Lee’s later years, her struggles with fame, and her inability to write a follow-up to her famed To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a great pick for anyone who wants to know more about the reclusive woman behind the book. (And, of course, if you want to read Cep’s book, you can find it here!)

"Who Was Atticus Finch?" by Laura Douglas-Brown

This article explores the differences in how Atticus Finch is portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird and Harper Lee’s other novel, Go Set a Watchman . It also describes Lee’s relationship with her own father, A. C. Lee, and how he served as an inspiration for the character of Atticus Finch.

The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Mills

Marja Mills is a journalist who befriended Harper Lee and her sister, Alice. She lived next door to them for several years and wrote this portrait of Lee in her later years as she lived a life of near-solitude in Monroeville, Alabama — the city that inspired Maycomb in To Kill a Mockingbird.

I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee by Charles J. Shields

This is an adaptation for younger readers of Shields’s earlier biography of Lee titled Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee from Childhood to Go Set a Watchman. This book will give you a thorough overview of Lee’s entire life in a more accessible style.

What's Next?

Trying to analyze literary quotes without knowing literary elements is ... well, it’s like trying to dig a hole without a shovel! If you’re going to analyze literature, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. Here’s a list of the elements you’ll find in every piece of literatur e, and here’s a guide to the 31 literary devices you absolutely need to know .

Did you appreciate our in-depth analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird ? If so, you should check out our complete series on The Great Gatsby . We break down the book chapter by chapter and even have articles on character and theme analysis . By the end of our series, you’ll be an expert in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most popular work.

Maybe you feel super confident in your ability to tackle a novel, but poetry makes you break out into a cold sweat. Never fear: here are some guides to poetic styles (such as sonnets ) and poetic elements (such as personification and iambic pentameter ) to get you started. Also, we have a complete analysis of "Do not go gentle into that good night" written by a college professor so you can see what a great poetry analysis looks like!

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — To Kill a Mockingbird — “To Kill a Mockingbird” Theme: Prejudice and Empathy

"To Kill a Mockingbird" Theme: Prejudice and Empathy

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

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The theme of prejudice and racism, empathy as a transformative force, the relevance in contemporary society, conclusion: a timeless exploration of humanity.

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