To Kill a Mockingbird

A detailed Summary of To Kill a Mockingbird


Life is an endless battle between good and evil. This battle is present in movies, politics, music, and even literature. Such struggles can also exist in the most innocent, hospitable towns where "yes, Ma'm" and "no, Sir" are and integral part of the daily parley. In To Kill a Mockingbird the author, Harper Lee, makes the reader feel as if he is an active participant in the development of the novel. Lee allows the reader to experience first hand how Maycomb County shifts from the sinless to the sinister. The five aspects of the novel are used to depict the common duel between good and evil.

At first glance the town of Maycomb is genuine and pure, but as soon as twilight strikes, an ominous atmosphere covers the darkness of the 1930s southern Alabama town. During the day honest wives cultivate their gardens, husbands diligently work at their jobs, and children play their innocent games. However, as the sun sets, Maycomb transforms into a site where the wicked and devious rule the streets. Darkness ushers in a series of sinister events. Approaching footsteps crunching through gravel, follow Scout and Jem home Halloween night. The town judge is robbed by sinister figure one night. In the hours after dark, a house mysterious


Nowhere is the contrast of sinless and sinister better exemplified then in the author's intent. The title of the book itself, To Kill a Mockingbird, is none other than a beacon for the theme. " Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us (90; ch.9)," implies that one would be evil if he harmed the innocent. Scouts silence in protecting Boo is another indication that humanity should protect the guileless. Likewise, Boo's actions to impede Mr. Ewett's harmful intentions also prove the author's intent. Allowing evil to inflict pain on the loving would also be killing a mockingbird.

ly succumbs to flames. Just as the truth seems to rule the light, so does the vile seem to rule the night.

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, shows a small town's struggle between the sinless and the sinister. As the story line evolves, the characters, setting, mood, and conflict all draw to an inevitable crescendo where purity and goodness are challenged by prejudice and discontent. Although Maycomb County is a fictitional place, the message is universal and timely. Even in a millennium, the innocent must be p

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 801
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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