To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
"There's always something to look at if you open your eyes." While sci-fi fans may remember this inspirational quote from the fifth Doctor in the hit TV series Doctor Who, it may remind story lovers of some of their favorite classic reads. For true literature enthusiasts, Harper Lee's historical fiction novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, will come to mind. Harper Lee uses the characters of Scout, Jem, and Heck Tate to reveal the true purpose of her book with in-depth character development and insinuated mannerisms. That purpose is a constant message of gaining insight on another person's perspective to better understand them and grasp how they feel.
The prospect of seeing through another's eyes is constantly shown through Lee's leading character, Scout. The entire story is told from a child's point of view, a major literary tool that affects how the reader perceives what happens. Because Scout is so young she is naive to many things in the world in the beginning of the book, yet as the story progresses we see how she begins to become more aware of the world around her. At the start of the book Scout has trouble applying this lesson to the Cunninghams, confused as to why they eat different than she does, and repays her father in food rather than money. However, later on when Atticus asks if she understand that Mr. Ewell “fell on his knife”, she responds with, “Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?” Realization is what shows that this message is of great importance, as it is only then that Scout shows she finally understands it throughout the entire novel.
Perhaps the earliest sign of Jem becoming aware of other’s perspective is the night the fire breaks out in Miss Maudie’s house. When the realization hits that Boo Radley draped a blanket over his sister and the suggestion comes up they should return it, Jem is frantic to not, saying, “Atticus, no sir!” Explaining, “...he ain’t ever hurt us, he coulda cut my throat from ear to ear that night but he tried to mend my pants instead… he ain’t ever hurt us Atticus-” Though Jems words are seemingly random and haphazardly put, they show an evident epiphany he can’t easily articulate. This is the point Jem realizes the truth about Boo, and has managed to get a glimpse into what it’s like to be Arthur Radley. Lee utilizes her message of perspective to mark the beginning of the eldest Finch’s maturing, and enforces the idea of looking from a different standpoint.
Possibly one of the most underrated characters in the book is the character of Heck Tate, who reveals his importance to the story’s overall message of looking at someone else’s angle to understand them within the last few pages of the book. Maycomb’s sheriff never directly states that Boo Radley was the one who murdered Mr. Ewell, simply denying that Jem was the one who did it, and does so in a manner that implies he knows more than he’s letting on. Such actions are clear-cut signs of Mr. Tate having a strong understanding of how Arthur would feel if his actions from that night were brought to light, and such an awareness can only be the by-product of Heck looking at the other’s perspective and coming to such a realization. Harper Lee uses one characters ignorance to emphasize another's awareness, and thereby letting such an awareness illuminate her main idea. In this case it is Atticus’ naivety on the true killer and Heck’s true intentions of protecting Boo that focuses the reader on what Heck is doing. For one to truly know what he is doing it is necessary to know why he is doing it, which comes about only through the realization that Tate knows what would happen to Boo if his name and actions became public, and for him to know this he would of had to assume the point of view of the shut-in. This elaborate string of realization is set up for the sole purpose of effectively ingraining the books message into the readers mind.
To truly know how someone feels, it is necessary to assume their perspective. This has time and time again been shown through the characters of Scout; who shows this message through her lack of understanding it, Jem; whose maturity comes in to place because of his realization in this message; and Heck Tate, and his protection of someone because he understands and has used this message. It was once said that, “One person’s crazyness is another person’s reality.” While Tim Burton may not have had To Kill A Mockingbird in mind, such a quote certainly can relate to the historical-fiction novel, and leave those who understand its meaning with an open mind and a willingness to open up their eyes.
The prospect of seeing through another's eyes is constantly shown through Lee's leading character, Scout. The entire story is told from a child's point of view, a major literary tool that affects how the reader perceives what happens. Because Scout is so young she is naive to many things in the world in the beginning of the book, yet as the story progresses we see how she begins to become more aware of the world around her. At the start of the book Scout has trouble applying this lesson to the Cunninghams, confused as to why they eat different than she does, and repays her father in food rather than money. However, later on when Atticus asks if she understand that Mr. Ewell “fell on his knife”, she responds with, “Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?” Realization is what shows that this message is of great importance, as it is only then that Scout shows she finally understands it throughout the entire novel.
Perhaps the earliest sign of Jem becoming aware of other’s perspective is the night the fire breaks out in Miss Maudie’s house. When the realization hits that Boo Radley draped a blanket over his sister and the suggestion comes up they should return it, Jem is frantic to not, saying, “Atticus, no sir!” Explaining, “...he ain’t ever hurt us, he coulda cut my throat from ear to ear that night but he tried to mend my pants instead… he ain’t ever hurt us Atticus-” Though Jems words are seemingly random and haphazardly put, they show an evident epiphany he can’t easily articulate. This is the point Jem realizes the truth about Boo, and has managed to get a glimpse into what it’s like to be Arthur Radley. Lee utilizes her message of perspective to mark the beginning of the eldest Finch’s maturing, and enforces the idea of looking from a different standpoint.
Possibly one of the most underrated characters in the book is the character of Heck Tate, who reveals his importance to the story’s overall message of looking at someone else’s angle to understand them within the last few pages of the book. Maycomb’s sheriff never directly states that Boo Radley was the one who murdered Mr. Ewell, simply denying that Jem was the one who did it, and does so in a manner that implies he knows more than he’s letting on. Such actions are clear-cut signs of Mr. Tate having a strong understanding of how Arthur would feel if his actions from that night were brought to light, and such an awareness can only be the by-product of Heck looking at the other’s perspective and coming to such a realization. Harper Lee uses one characters ignorance to emphasize another's awareness, and thereby letting such an awareness illuminate her main idea. In this case it is Atticus’ naivety on the true killer and Heck’s true intentions of protecting Boo that focuses the reader on what Heck is doing. For one to truly know what he is doing it is necessary to know why he is doing it, which comes about only through the realization that Tate knows what would happen to Boo if his name and actions became public, and for him to know this he would of had to assume the point of view of the shut-in. This elaborate string of realization is set up for the sole purpose of effectively ingraining the books message into the readers mind.
To truly know how someone feels, it is necessary to assume their perspective. This has time and time again been shown through the characters of Scout; who shows this message through her lack of understanding it, Jem; whose maturity comes in to place because of his realization in this message; and Heck Tate, and his protection of someone because he understands and has used this message. It was once said that, “One person’s crazyness is another person’s reality.” While Tim Burton may not have had To Kill A Mockingbird in mind, such a quote certainly can relate to the historical-fiction novel, and leave those who understand its meaning with an open mind and a willingness to open up their eyes.