Authorial Techniques For To Kill A Mockingbird

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorHigh School, 10th grade October 2001

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Authorial Techniques of Mocking Bird Point of view supports many aspects of the book. First is character development. By directly viewing Scout's thoughts and motives, the reader can become acquainted with Scout better than any other point of view would allow. Second, it adds an element of humor. Whatever the reader knows about anything in the story he or she knows from deciphering a young girl's interpretation (or misinterpretation) of the situation. Her unique perspective, uncluttered by all the concerns of adulthood, can also be insightful. Scout did not understand the prejudice of most people of the time. This allowed her to see the trial as one of simple justice. Finally, the point of view supports the theme that everyone has their reasons for their actions. Even Scout's most seemingly random actions to an outsider are justified to the reader. An example of this is her fight with Francis. Uncle Jack perceived the bout as a usual groundless childhood incident, though the reader knows otherwise.

Setting is important in the book. The prejudice of the south during the early twentieth century is a necessary component of the setting, as the plot could not in a large part exist without it. The 1930's were a time of the Jim Crow laws, separate black neighborhoods, and discrimination by many whites. The small town setting is an effective tool. The book is an examination of human character, which is the same anywhere in the world, but in a small town it is easier to identify. The reader can likely relate many of the traits of characters in the book to people in his or her own experiences, or his or herself. The setting is one that allows exploration of numerous themes. In the 1930's, women were expected to be ladies. Scout being...