An Amiable yet Sad Ending

I am extremely surprised to say that the best book I have ever read so far has been To Kill a Mockingbird. The use of foreshadowing, symbolism, and a bit of irony is greatly portrayed throughout the story.

In the first few chapters of the novel, Dill is the one who started the idea of making Boo Radley come out (1). Since the beginning of the book, Lee foreshadows that Boo would play a significant part in the children's lives. In the end, he saved Scout and Jem from Mr. Ewell killing them. As Quinci Woods predicted, Arthur "Boo" Radley is the guardian angel of Jem and Scout.

Secondly, Uncle Jack shows the children how to shoot with their air-rifles (90) and not Atticus. It is ironic that as you read on, Atticus' nickname was 'Ol' One-Shot' as a child. The reason behind it is that as Atticus grew up, he probably found out that violence is not something you can resort to as a leisure or to vent out problems. He possibly did not want his children to grow up thinking this belief as something that is okay to do. This leads to Atticus not wanting to teach Jem and Scout how to shoot. His civilized disposition provides a sense of foreshadowing in the future.

In my opinion, Atticus' beliefs in being civil and treating everyone as if they were no different than the next person rubs off on Jem and Scout. In the opening of chapter 25, Jem tells Scout to not hurt the roly-poly and to take it outside. Scout does not quite understand why Jem does not want her to "mash it" (238) when he says it is because they do not bother anybody. Symbolism is exemplified in this part of the story as the roly-poly is the black man that is constantly being oppressed by the white man, who, in this case, is Scout as she almost kills the bug.

Atticus' beliefs rubbing off on his children is highlighted when Jem knew it was not right that Tom Robinson was guilty (212) after enough evidence was supplied to prove that Mr. Ewell was the one who beated his own daughter, Mayella Ewell. Still, white supremacy ruled in all of Maycomb county and even though Atticus gave a compelling speech before the jury, the racism during the 1930s gave them reason to put an innocent black man in jail.

As Jem learns what is right and wrong, so does Scout. She finally sees what Boo Radley is like as she stands in front of the window on the Radley porch: "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." (279).

I agree with Charlene Asuncion and Jacob when they said that Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are like the mockingbird, respectively. Both characters would never hurt anybody without a reason and both are kind, respectful men. They are the outcasts in Maycomb as they don't follow conformity. Boo Radley helps the children when in need such as giving a blanket to Scout during the fire (71) and when he carried unconscious Jem home to Atticus (263). Tom Robinson's acceptable mannerisms are demonstrated as he is questioned by Atticus during the trial (190-198). This proves that they both "don't do one thing but make music for us" (90).

My favorite quote out of the whole book was when Atticus was talking to Scout after Jem ruined Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes: "...before i can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." (105). Your thoughts reflect your choices and beliefs in life.

As I read the last few pages of this fantastic novel, I found the ending to be depressing rather than pleasant because I thought there would be more to the story after Atticus took Scout to bed. I wanted to know what was going to happen in the morning when Jem and Scout woke up. Would Scout run to see Jem in his bed and then eat later? Would Scout gloat about seeing Boo Radley to Jem, causing them to try to visit Boo in his house? Whatever the circumstances, I am glad that the story ended on a high note. :]

When Gursimran blogged about how the beginning was boring, I could not have agreed more. This intrigued me into reading the beginning again and I made an astonishing found: the beginning connected with the ending. In contrast to what I said in the previous paragraph, I felt assured that I got my answer of what happened next based on the first two paragraphs of the book.

However, I was confused when Atticus was talking to Heck Tate on the porch. Did Atticus really think Jem stabbed Mr. Ewell? I believe that either Mr. Ewell accidently stabbed himself or Arthur killed him, but no one in the story resorted to that thought. Although, probably Atticus was defending Arthur Radley by saying Jem stabbed Mr. Ewell instead, but only Harper Lee knows.