My English Essay #1

After Journalism, we did a reading and note taking unit, after which we started Essay writing. Now, It may seem boring, but we were writing Literary Essays! Our first one was thematic, based on a certain theme of a certain book. The book I chose was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. So read on only if you have read the book! Or else:
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER !!!!

People often have to make hard decisions in life, but the number of people who make the right decisions depend on their experience of life. To Kill a Mockingbird deals with two kids who lose their innocence at a young age, as they encounter the harsh realities of the society and humanity. Soon, they are confronted with the essential question- is it better to go on the path of righteousness, or is it better to go on the path of comfort? Harper Lee tries to explore where people should draw the line between the morally correct and the simple way out. As Jeremy Atticus Finch and Jean Louise Finch grow through the book, they learn more and more, and start to understand that not everyone is good, and not everyone is right.

At the beginning, Lee is writing from the perspective of an adult, a more matured version of Scout Finch. But soon she transitions into the past, and makes it her present. From then, she talks from a child’s point of view, an innocent 5 year old who has much yet to learn and perceive. I think the fact that Lee uses this outlook makes the themes explored go much deeper, and it connects with the reader. Had it been an adult writing, the themes would be much harder to appreciate compared to a little girl who doesn’t know much about anything. It is this use of lenses that makes the reader question his or her own life. But how does Lee deliver the message so subtly yet with such an impact? She uses literary language when she attempts to make a link to the central theme, making it easier for the reader to make connections. She tactfully manoeuvres her story to go from the simplest to the most emotionally stirring topics. From knowing the Ewells as being really mean, Jem and Scout realise they are capable of more serious crimes. Both siblings have grown out of their child mentality much earlier than others their age would have.

As a young , curious girl, Scout is fascinated by the idea of school. But when she realises that there are people in her school that are poorer than her, and less fortunate, she is confused. How can someone else be different? That is the first time she hears about social inequality. Her conversation with her dad tells us that the Cunninghams are more poor than them, but they are poor too.

'Are we poor, Atticus?'

Atticus nodded. 'We are indeed.' Jem's nose wrinkled. This conversation sparks her inner self to take action when she sees something that is wrong. Atticus told Scout one day, “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.” This clearly tells us that judging and making your own conclusions of people is the easy way out- not necessarily the right way. It is this concept of thinking that drives Scout to make the correct choices. She puts herself into the other person, and then she realizes whether or not to trust the person. Readers can argue that the central theme isn’t about the choice between what is right and what is easy. They might assume, given the evidences, that it is more about Racism and Judging vs Trusting people- but that would be correct only on a basic level. Lee has gone for the more abstract view of the choices made by humans- and whether their chosen path is the right one or not. She uses the development of the different characters for a better understanding of life and the decision we face.

It is much later in the book that we see those developments in the characteristics of the two kids. Jem, who once used to include Scout in whatever he used to do , grows up to become more introverted. He turns towards books and newspapers, and usually tells his sister to go away from him. Scout on the other hand, changes to become stronger, and she knows how to stand up for the right. One example would be on page 158. Scout disobeyed her father when he was on the verge of getting hurt by the Cunninghams. She cleverly manipulated them to go back , and therefore showcased her abilities to do what was right, rather than stay back and do the easy. This character description is what made the themes even easier to perceive.

There were four other characters who added to the perfect execution of a serious themed book. Lee used Atticus Finch and Calpurnia as very big symbols in the book. Atticus is the abode of the higher knowledge. He symbolises the righteousness and conscience of man, and how with a little bit of effort and correct decision making skills, anyone would support what is right over what is easy. He maintained his cool even when almost everyone in the community, including his own sister, disapproved of his actions. When asked by Jem and Scout about his behaviour, he replied saying that his conscience got the better of him, and that one’s conscience is very different to one’s opinion.  Calpurnia is a symbol of voice. Until much later in the book, we are unaware of the fact that she is black too. She is the bridge between the blacks and the whites in the racist society- and that is explained in the church bit, when Jem and Scout first meet Calpurnia’s side of life. She is the voice that we have to raise in our lives- against the racists. She shows us that people who have a darker skin tone need not be cruel, mean or illiterate. She has all the qualities of a great mother, a hardworking lady, and all together, she is an embodiment of the good. Using both Atticus and Calpurnia, Lee has shaped the minds of the kids in a very interesting manner. It is because of these two characters that she doesn’t always mention the balancing act explicitly: it is meant to be read between the lines, usually when Scout and Jem are thinking, or asking questions.

The other two characters are Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley. Throughout the first part of the book, Lee creates a detailed background for Boo’s character, while setting the scene for Tom Robinson. The first part prepares the reader for the more significant themes, focusing on the same thought, but on a smaller scale. One of the dialogues said by Atticus sets the overall tone for Tom’s part- “ They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” This quote is the inspiration for the title, but it holds a deeper meaning that connects to the central theme of doing what is right, and doing what is easy. A few days after the trial, Tom tries to escape the prison, but he gets shot 17 times, for a mistake he hadn’t committed. He didn’t do anything except try to help others, but he got framed, and eventually, was killed. By murdering the character that has touched the hearts of many, Lee conveys her opinion of what the world really is. Just because Tom was ‘coloured’, did he deserve to die? Using Scout, she tells us indirectly that there are so many other issues that have the same root cause, but we define the problem according to the people involved.

“Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home-“

Scout is very much affected by what her dad told her, and what actually happens. Everyone is committing a sin by taking the easier way and blaming the blacks for everything, instead of doing the right thing. Towards the end of the book, we encounter Boo Radley, and in the most unexpected form. From what the society deemed Arthur to be, the readers judged his character too fast. But when Bob Ewells nearly murders both Scout and Jem, it is Boo who comes to their rescue, and finally shows his face. He was never really bad, and he always did good things behind everyone's backs. It is the society that misunderstood his true intentions, which is why Boo stayed inside all the time.

In real life, we frequently take decisions, but making the right ones are always an ordeal. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee has very creatively woven a string of balancing acts and themes that we should incorporate in our lives. Doing what is easy is not always doing what is right- and that mindset can help us achieve many goals by making the correct choices. From simple things like being curious and happy like Scout, to being wise and alert like Atticus, Lee has taught us very important life lessons that we must take away from this book. There is a snippet of Atticus and Scout’s conversation, which concludes the book.

“Atticus, he was real nice."
"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”

In one line, we realize that to make the right decisions, we must understand the person, and it is then when we decide to take the easier path. It is your choices that determine who you are. _________________________________________________________________________
Again, I would love it if you could comment below on what you thought about my essay! I have 1 more coming up... ( it is a craft essay ) And only 8 more posts to catch up! :D