Themes
Rascim
Rasicm is the prominent theme within the book, following the court case of Tom Robinson, and the futility shown towards the black community. Within the time era that the book is set, Rasicm was very prominent within the southern towns of the U.S. Due to the children having both an accepting father, and a naive look on the world, they have not yet formed racist views towards the Negros. This is aided by Calpurnia, their maid, who is the ultimate bridge for the children between the whit and black communities. Only after Atticus accepts the position of defending Tom Robinson do they see what views the community has in context of the Negros; however they discover this in a harsh way, from children in the school, insulting their father. After hearing these remarks, Scout goes to her father for consultation; '"Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything – like snot-nose. It's hard to explain – ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody." ' Atticus explains the phrases that Scout has been hearing, and this allows her to not be influenced by others, rather to follow the good. He later goes on to explain that it shows how its isnt a description of you, rather the person is low enough to try and pull us down."You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes – baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." (Chapter 11. pg107-109)
Good & Evil
The presence of good and evil is evident in numerous cases throughout the book. An evident story line to this, would be Boo Radley, and his experiences. His father, with very strong biblical views secures Boo within the house, and hence is trapped within his home. Boo is a classical example of goodness been smothered in evil. An innocent and intelligent man, he has had significant mental scaring from the time that has been spent in the house, he has lost all social skills, and will never be able to intergrade into society. Continuing with Boo, not only evil from his father, but also the towns people, making horrible accusations up about him. They turn an innocent boy into a monster that fears and intrigues all. Another example is Atticus defending Tom Robinson, although a noble act that many would not attempt, he is ridiculed for the discoing. The rabid dog, is also a symbol of goodness that has been smothered by the evil of the world. The innocent dog had been savagely attacked by the disease, out of its control, and unfortunately for the safety of others had to be killed; putting down was also the best thing for it, as to not suffer for remaining days.
Mockingbirds
The mockingbird as a symbol is everywhere to be seen, and is the moral of the story. Mockingbirds are given their name after the action they do of repeating and copying those around it. For humans it only brings pleasure and not pain, explained in this quote from Atticus to the children in regards the their air pistols; '"I'd rather you shoot at tin cans, in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit them, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat gardens or nest in corncribs they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us that's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird'(pg. 94). Tom Robinson is another prime example of a mockingbird. He is wrongfully accused of rape of a young girl, and because of his ethicncy, he is called guilty. Robinson is an innocent young man, continually giving to others, not wanting anything in return, only trying to support his family. Boo Radley, a mockingbird as well, has been silenced by his father and older brother, and shunned on by the county.