To Kill A Mockingbird

Essay by sportndatcrombieHigh School, 11th gradeA+, April 2004

download word file, 4 pages 5.0

In the Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, we are lead through the lives of two young siblings, Scout and Jem, during two significant years of their childhood. The story is narrated by Scout, the hotheaded daughter of local lawyer Atticus Finch. In court, Atticus represents a black man charged with rapping a Mr. Ewells? daughter Mayella. Which affect everyone in the family some way.

This novel is set between 1933 and 1935. The Great Depression is at its peak, and farmers are making little money. Due to this everyone?s pay has been lowered. Also during this time, social prejudice against black people occurred. Atticus, the father, is stuck with the Tom Robinson case. He is a strong man that is looked up by many people in the society, and he keeps a good living in his household. Calpurnia, the cook, helps take care of the children when Atticus is away.

The main character and narrator is, Scout Finch, a six-year old girl. She dislikes school very much and seems to get in fights often. Other Characters that are of importance in this novel are her bother Jem who is four years older than she. He tries to keep her in line while at school and away from home. In the beginning of this novel, Jem has broken his arm while playing football, a sport he loves greatly. Atticus Finch, the father of both Scout and Jem is a defense lawyer who is appointed to defend a Mr. Tom Robinson, a black man charged for rape. As the trial goes on, Atticus is made fun in society and the children are tormented at school. Comments are made about Atticus, such as ?nigger-lover? and ?Atticus defends niggers?. These statements show just how strong this prejudice against the black...