"To Kill A Mockingbird" is an example of a modern day classic. The term 'modern day classic can be defined as a novel with universal appeal which has withstood the test of time and is relevant to today's society. This novel could be classed as social realism, as the issues addressed are real and present in our world today. The main themes addressed in To Kill A Mockingbird are prejudice, especially racism, the innocence of childhood and courage.
The most important and obvious theme of "To Kill A Mockingbird" is racism. A prime example of racism in the novel is Tom Robinson's trial. In southern Alabama, where the story is set, white people were discriminatory towards Negroes, as they believe them to be immoral and untrustworthy. At Tom Robinson's trial, Atticus Finch provides compelling evidence that Tom Robinson is innocent, and Bob Ewell, Mayella's father, is guilty.
Screenshot of To Kill a Mockingbird(an American mo...
President George W. Bush awards the Presidential M...
Film producer Alan J. Pakula with Lee; Lee spent t...He does this by showing that Rom is unable to use his left hand, so it is impossible for him to have strangled and attacked Mayella. Bob Ewell, on the other hand, is left handed and is able to use both hands and therefore, he must have committed the crime. However, due to the fact that Tom is a Negro, he is convicted of the crime. Atticus and Tom both knew that this would happen, "The witness for the state...have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with the on the assumption - the evil assumption - that all Negroes lie...", but they demonstrated courage to attempt to prove white people wrong and change their racial ways.
Throughout the novel, the innocence of childhood is displayed mostly by...