Introduction for Essay
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses her own childhood experiences of growing up in Monroeville, Alabama, during the Great Depression to show the coming of age of her character, Scout Finch. People, Lee explains, moved slowly then, and such a pace gives the young room to invent games, run rampant on the town streets, and stay safe. Scout Finch was always the go-getter. She was the little girl who fought for what she thought was right, usually with her fists. ‘You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ’em get your goat? Try fighting with your head for a change.’ – Atticus Finch in Chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Research Paper on To Kill a Mockingbird
Throughout the novel, Scout Finch is constantly defending her father, Atticus. His decision to defend Tom Robinson, a black man in a racially charged society clashing with Scout’s love for her dad, creates a classic man vs.. man conflict. Scout has not been put in an ideal situation with these clashing occurrences. She is having to cope with being bashed by her peers because of her dad’s choices.
Argumentative Essay Examples on To Kill a Mockingbird
‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.’ – Atticus Finch in Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch does not understand why her father is making these choices. As Scout matures, she will have to realize that it was all about her reaching the age where she could understand. Mr. Tate was right, and Scout tells her father because to publicize Radley’s actions would be sort of like shooting a mockingbird. – Scout Finch Chapter 10 in To Kill a Mockingbird. With this quote being said, Scout has shown that she is started to reach a maturity level in which she better understands why the cards fell this way.
This quote relates to my thesis because the views and maturing of Scout Finch are a demonstration of how hard it was for kids to come to their potential during the Great Depression. Life is going to give you a lot of choices, and you can either make a good choice or not make one at all. On another note, Scout had to change her ways of life, or she would not be able to fit in with the friends that she had known for so long. Scout’s peers had a very powerful emotional effect on her.
Thesis Statement for To Kill a Mockingbird
‘Scout, I’m tellin’ you for the last time, shut your trap or go home and declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day!’ With that, I had no option but to join them. – Scout in Chapter 6 of To Kill a Mockingbird. This quote is a great explanation of the judged stereotypes during this time period. Scout wanted to act like a girl, but her friends wanted her to act like the old Scout. This instance is where Scout had to make the decision that acting like a girl was not worth losing her friends. Scout Finch made her own choices, and she made them the way that she wanted them, not caring about what time it was, who she was with, and what people thought of her. She did things for her. This statement relates to my thesis because my thesis states When life gives you time to shine, don’t give it away. You may need it someday.
Titles: Scout’s Journey of Self-Determination
Scout never gave up a chance that was offered to her. The racial incline of the population in To Kill a Mockingbird was having a clash with Scout herself and the world around her. ‘Atticus told me one time that most of this Old Family stuff’s foolishness because everybody’s family’s just as old as everybody else’s. I said did that include the colored folks and Englishmen, and he said yes.’ – Scout Finch Chapter 23 in To Kill a Mockingbird. This quote resembles the feeling that Scout had when her father defended Tom Robinson. Scout has not been educated about the way that society feels about skin color by her father and her peers. Scout feels confused, irritated, and wary of her surroundings.
The whole objective of this novel is to show how Scout comes of age and the obstacles she has to go through to reach the top. You have to go through challenges to get where you want to reach. ‘Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough’ – Scout Finch Chapter 31 in To Kill a Mockingbird. In this quotation, Scout has just learned what it means to see someone’s true colors. Scout realizes that when someone tells you who they want you to be, they aren’t confident in their own shoes. That’s why you never know someone until you are actually in their shoes.
Scout’s Growth and Development Through Turmoil and Challenges
Lee’s experiences during the Great Depression put into contrast how she has come of age throughout her years. ‘There is just some kind of men who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.’ In this quote, Scout Finch concludes her journey. Scout is saying that you can’t get a result unless you give the right amount of effort. A reward is not just going to come to you, and you have to go out and work for it. Scout had to push and push throughout the book for her father, her friend Boo, Tom Robinson, and herself. She had to experience turmoil, regret, misfortune, and sadness.
All of those circumstances were what paid off for Scout. These circumstances taught her self-respect, working strategies, listening skills, confidence, and to stand up for her rights. Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting anymore; I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold in, the better off everybody would be. – Scout Finch Chapter 31 in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout states that she feels she has matured. She does not want to be treated like a little kid that does not know what she is doing. Scout has learned what it means to have a respectful place in society, even if the outcome is good or the outcome isn’t so good. Life is all that you make of it.
Conclusion
To Kill a Mockingbird takes a spin on Lee’s life and the Great Depression. Life is going to take you on a journey through difficult challenges, good days, bad days, racism, and prejudice, but life is all that you make of it. If you do not use your opportunities, they will be given to someone else. Scout Finch is a great example of someone who goes through challenges, discrimination, and riots, and still, she uses every chance she can get. It may not have been easy for Scout but remember, and your life depends on you, not the people on your journey.
