Harper Lee's first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, displays the life of a small southern family struggling through the depression in Maycomb, Alabama. Similar to any other southern town, the prejudiced whites look down upon the Negroes. The family overcomes many obstacles thrown at them by the prejudiced town. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the major themes of courage, innocence, and prejudice are instrumental in the portrayal of life in a small southern community.

The prime challenge to anyone's courage is the Radley house. Jem is known for his courage, and it appears that even the Radley house doesn't scare him. Dill wants to test Jem's courage by betting that Jem will not touch the Radley house. Jem has to accept because he cannot allow Scout and Dill to think he's as a coward. "His courage was a source of pride" (****courage 1)

Curiosity is one of courage's best allies. It helps breed courage, especially in children, but it finally gets the best of Jem and Dill, and they to sneak up to the Radley house to get a quick peak of Boo. They get caught and have to run away. As they are running away, Jem's pants are snagged on the fence, and he has to leave them. Eventually he

Atticus' bond between him and his children is great, and he has never been afraid for them, until they step in the way at the jailhouse to protect Atticus. He is there, displaying his unconditional courage, sitting with Tom, ready to protect him. Walter Cunningham and other townsmen intend to do away with Tom and not allow Atticus to stand in their way. Atticus is expecting a fight, but he never imagines that Scout, Jem, and Dill will be involved. This is the first and only time that courage fails him. It is through Scout's innocence that they are able to overcome the mob's intentions of hurting Tom.

Rage helps Jem become more courageous. When Mrs. Dubose criticizes Atticus, Jem's rage gives him the courage to destroy her Camellia bushes even though he knows she carries a confederate pistol with her. When Atticus finds out, he sends Jem to read for Mrs. Dubose who struggles to beat her morphine addiction. Jem learns courage from Mrs. Dubose's example. Scout shows the least amount of courage. She follows the boys around and wants to join in their fights. However, her respect for Atticus gives her the courage to refrain from fighting

The three themes that Miss Harper Lee interweaves through the novel come into conflict with each other many times. The courage to stand up against prejudice is more difficult than you would expect. Innocence begins with youth, but soon leaves with maturity. The Finch family faces prejudice and fights it, but they cannot overcome the hatred of the residents of Maycomb.

It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because the bird is a sign of innocence. Mockingbirds make music for us to enjoy. Atticus and Mrs. Maudie told Scout and Jem this when they received air rifles for Christmas. They said it is OK to shoot all the blue jays they want, if they can hit them. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird, because it willfully obliterates innocence.

Scout also does not understand the South's prejudice when she hears her classmates saying all sorts of bad things about Atticus representing a black man. Atticus does his best to keep Scout believing that there is nothing wrong with it and preserve her innocence. Scout uses this innocence that Atticus has so delicately preserved when she disarms a whole mob. She uses her youth and innocence to

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Approximate Word count = 1545
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)