I'll be honest with everyone, this book was like HELL at first. I literally fell asleep after every page. But knowing myself, I knew I had to get through it one way or the other. So I thought to myself, "might as well try enjoying it." So that’s exactly what I did. As I read the book in more of a "focused" manner, I started realizing the recurring themes, motifs, and symbols throughout the story. I also noticed that all these themes, motifs and symbols are linked together in some indexical relationship. Even though I haven't finished the whole book yet, I feel that the book is already powerful.
The book opens to the narrator, Scout (also named Jean Louise), describing her county. She describes the town as if it were dead, as if it was merely a ghost town. “Maycomb was an old town…in rainy weather the streets turned into red slop…there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy, nothing to buy it with, and nothing outside the boundaries of Maycomb county.” (6) I don’t know if anyone else thought this, but the red slop explained in the quote made me think of blood. Since the time period of this story is during the Great Depression, the blood might be a symbol for depression and hard times people are going through. Another significant element about the county was that people stayed linked together because they have no choice. There was nowhere to go, and nothing outside of Maycomb. Since people are linked together in this one community, news and rumors travel rapidly. The beginning of the story is primarily focused on Jem and Scout. They live their childhood lives on imagination. Dill, a neighbor, enters the scene and acts as a significant playmate for Jem and Scout. Towards the end of chapter 1, Boo Radley becomes the focus of their curiosity. Harper Lee already puts hints to foreshadow what might happen later on in the story.
As the story progresses, we constantly see examples of the type of people that live in Maycomb. For example, there is the Cunninghams, who barely have any money to live off of. “The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back….They don’t have much, but they get along on it.” (26) Furthermore, there are the Ewells. They are described as dirty, and a disgrace to Maycomb. “Atticus said the Ewells had been the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations. None of them had done an honest day’s work in his recollection.” (40) Furthermore, discrimination is a major factor in the novel. Blacks are placed on the bottom of the social level, right next to women. For example, Scout states, “Calpurnia says that’s nigger-talk.” (49)
By chapter 5, we already can delineate the conflicts within the town. Atticus lives in a town of discrimination, where many things are frowned upon. Nonetheless, he still chooses to live above the towns standards and serve as a role to be a “good” man. This is demonstrated when he sides a black man in court. He then passes his way of life to Scout. Scout learned to life live like a good girl, without discrimination or prejudice. However, as she grows up and attends school, she starts realizing all the discrimination around her. This creates somewhat of an internal conflict within her, as her inner consciences fight with the outside influence.
Like I said before, the themes and motifs of the novel have an indexical relationship. So far, discrimination and innocence are the themes of the story. In chapter 10, the mockingbird is finally described as a symbol of the story, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but sing songs for people to enjoy...that’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” From this quote, I inferred that mockingbirds symbolize innocence. (I don’t know if I am necessarily correct, anyone have any suggestions?) This indexical relationship I keep stating is shown through Scout. Her inner conscience and everything about her is innocent. She was raised that way. But as she goes to school and meets society, she starts having conflicts between this innocence and discrimination. Even though discrimination and innocence are ultimately conflicting with each other, there is still a relationship established between them. I’m going to have to read more to prove my statement of this “indexical relationship.”
Finally, I want to make a prediction. I think Boo Radley is going to be this “mockingbird.” This innocent boy that has been discriminated by everyone. I don’t know if I am correct, but it is logical since the books title is called, To Kill a Mockingbird. I think he is a boy that has ultimately been “killed” by evil.
So far, I am actually starting to enjoy the book! my thoughts are kind of random right now, sorry if its not organized. I hope its organized when I write the essay! Ill be posting more after today. Ill make my analysis more clear.
please criticize me if you guys have an objection ;)
Hello my dear! You've had a lot of great points throughout this. Some were a bit subtle and could have been elaborated upon (mostly in the beginning), but you and I had picked up on a lot of the same ideas. Great minds think alike? (or maybe it's just us)
ReplyDeleteSince we wrote around the same topic, I agree with most of what you said. I'd say that the combination of discrimination and innocence served more as motifs used to aid to and play up the theme, which ultimately probably relates to some set of morality that Lee sends a message about. But otherwise your symbolism and ending prediction seemed on point.
Other than that, it was a long read; you -- and I as well -- need to work on being more concise. You did a good job at putting a lot of thought into it, though (:
This was a very amusing blog Kevin. I found it interesting how you connected the red slop to blood and it dealing with the Great Depression. It made me realize and think about if it could have been blood or just be a strange mystery. I would also agree with you about the theme so far in the novel having to deal with discrimination and innocence. Most of the people are very "racist" and some people stay hidden and you can't really tell what move they might make next. It creates a mysterious effect when I try to analyze the people of Maycomb County. Your prediction has me wondering if you are correct or not, it makes me want to finish reading the novel before you, just so I have assurance of what really happens. I hope your prediction didn't ruin anything for me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way... very excellent read Kevin. :]