Text title – To Kill a Mockingbird 

Author/Director – Harper Lee

Text type – Novel 

Date read – Term 1

Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, at the time of the Great Depression. It tells the story of Jean Louise (Scout) and her brother Jem growing up and discovering racism and prejudice in the world. I was also young when I discovered the concept of racism, although it wasn’t only racism against the black race. In New Zealand, racist comments have a tendency to be directed towards the Maori race, who are treated by some as if they are inferior. Questions such as “what percentage Maori are you?”, “but the Maori killed all the Moriori”, are highly offensive, racist or even blatantly untrue. This mindset is slowly leaving today’s society, though, and the majority of racist comments these days appear to be coming from the older age groups, who in my experience, were raised to treat the Maori language and perhaps the people themselves, as inferior. It’s also not uncommon to hear racist comments about Asians or Chinese relating to their driving skills, or even currently, the covid19 virus. 

Lawyer, Atticus Finch, and father of Jem and Jean Louise is placed on the rape case of 19 year old white woman, Mayella Ewell. The accused is a black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus takes the case, prompting the community to label him a “n***er lover.” Throughout the case he teaches his children some important life lessons: to be just and to be empathetic, which are taught through phrases such as “remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This quote illustrates the idea that some humans, like innocent, harmless birds, should not be punished. This reminds me of how I was raised, learning about atrocities such as Parihaka, the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, and land confiscation in the mid 19th centuary. These topics were discussed regularly at home well before I was 7 years old. Learning these at such a young age influenced my compassion and empathy toward others, and has helped to shape who I am today, much as the way Atticus’ children were raised. It is with this attitude of ideals of justice and empathy that Atticus approaches the case. The defence demonstrated by Atticus was not that Tom Robinson committed the rape of Mayella Ewell, but that Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, attacked her. The outcome of the case shows yet again, the presence of racism, as after all the evidence Atticus provided, Tom Robinson is still convicted, and later killed in his attempts to escape jail. While reading the novel, I naturally felt bad for Tom Robinson, and I know even today, people are wrongly accused and imprisoned, even here in New Zealand. Incredibly, 51% of New Zealand inmates identify as Maori, when only 15% of our overall population are Maori. This highlights the tragic reality of prejudice and discrimination existing in New Zealand’s justice system. 

Throughout the text, the protagonist Scout, and her brother Jem, take an interest in their neighbor Arthur “Boo” Radley, who is a recluse. Boo appeared to leave the children items in the trunk of the tree outside the Radley property. Eventually, they became so intrigued by Boo Radley, that they couldn’t resist the urge to trespass on the Radley property. Later in the novel, when Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout on their walk back from the pageant, Boo Radley comes to the rescue and subsequently killed Bob Ewell in defence. The Sheriff, Heck tate, decides that the story should be that he fell on his own knife and killed himself. I still can’t decide whether the crime committed by Boo was just or not. The fact that he got away with murder seems wrong. I believe that it was his white skin that saved him from a conviction. 

Atticus was a character in the novel who intrigued me, a character portrayed in a wise way, as if he truly understood society, the world and how it worked. He was aware of the immense presence of racism and prejudice in society at the time, and which persists in society today, although perhaps not always quite so obviously. To me, he seemed different from the other residents of Maycomb, and was a great role model to his children. This is shown through the way he chose to defend Tom Robinson. He believed the trial of Tom Robinson should be just, and he didn’t assume that he committed the rape based on the colour of skin. Tom Robinson is black, so before the trial had even begun Atticus knew he had already lost. It amazes me how this didn’t stop Atticus from presenting the strongest defence he could, and treating his case as the defence of an innocent man, not of a black. Most people in this situation would not try their best if they knew there was nothing to try for. For instance, if it was guaranteed that I was to achieve straight excelences across all subjects, I doubt I would be motivated to strive for the best results possible. During the case, he accused Bob Ewell, the victim’s father, of abusing Mayella. Everyone in the courthouse was aware it was him, and all the evidence led to the same conclusion but in those days it was white over black. Protect the white not the black. This led to everyone remaining silent and unwilling to break the racist stereotype. I find it inspiring how Atticus was the only one with enough courage to do so. This shows me just how important strong role models are in life. My idols and people I’m surrounded by in my daily life are going to influence how I will be when I’m older, and the novel really put this into perspective for me. Atticus’ message, “remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” is a strong underlying theme throughout the novel: he is teaching his wisdom and ways to his children. He teaches his children the way of the world in his eyes, as all parents do with their children, but one thing distinguishes him from the society of the time. His belief in justice and the justice system. The culture of Mount Aspiring College makes it incredibly difficult for one to stand away from all others and stick up for what they believe in. No one wants to be a black sheep in a flock of white, in teenage culture. Even for myself, I find it difficult to do something alone, in fear of judgement from my peers. 

One of the major messages in the novel is based around both stereotypes and prejudice, which are a big problem for not only teenagers/school students in the present, but millions of people in society. In schools such as mine, students are frequently categorising their peers into groups. I see a similar pattern in the novel through the ways the residents of Maycomb categorise each other into racial, social and gender based groups.

Social class is presented all throughout the novel. It shows the social hierarchy: the white people at the top and the poor farmers and labourers near the bottom. At the very bottom though, are the black people. Near the beginning one of the students in Scout’s class, Walter Cunningham, wouldn’t accept money off the teacher to buy himself lunch. Scout sticks up for him by saying “Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham.” This statement angered Miss Caroline as she interpreted this in the way that Scout was being mean about Walter, when in actual fact she was attempting to save him from taking something he was unable to pay back. Everyone in the town understood that the Cunningham family didn’t have the money to pay them back, so were accepting of the favours they did in return, but Miss Caroline was new to the town and therefore didn’t know how it worked. I also believe that she is in a social class higher than that of the Cunninghams, and therefore hasn’t experienced what it is like to be that poor. In the present times, there are still people with extremely low social statuses, such as those living in slums. Personally, I have never experienced living like this, so I don’t know how they work, just as Miss Caroline and the Cunninghams.

Another example of class is shown through the quote by Burris Ewell, “you ain’t sendin’ me home, missus. I was on the verge of leavin’ – I done done my time for this year.” This shows his lower social class through his family being notorious for not turning up to school and the family’s lack of education. The fact that they skip school means they remain both poor and ignorant. The majority of stereotypes in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ are defied, but this one is actually reinforced. It shows that one who doesn’t come to school therefore has no interest in education.

Multiple characters throughout the novel both defy and challenge stereotypes based around their gender. Scout, the protagonist, is a young girl who challenges these stereotypes. While she is out in the town, it is common for her to be stared at because she doesn’t dress as a stereotypical female, and is told by influential family members such as her Aunt, to change her ways and become more feminine. By growing up with no mother figure with the exception of Calpurnia, it is certain she has been majorly influenced by both her father and brother. This is supported by the quote “Calpurnia seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl.” This also shows how young children can be easily influenced by the people they are surrounded by. For example, when I was younger the majority of my friends were boys, so I ended up enjoying playing with toy cars, which are stereotypically ‘boys toys.’ In today’s world, there are more and more people defying the current ‘girl’ stereotype of long hair and perfect body. People who are considered ‘overweight’ often love their bodies and there are influencers who inspire others to do the same. More and more young women have cut their hair short into a stereotypical ‘boy’ haircut. This is just one aspect of society which has visibly progressed. There are still people criticised for how they dress or look, who may be labelled ‘fat’ or ‘ugly.’ But they have supporters, and it is people like these who step outside of gender stereotypes and who inspire others and cause change in society. 

Gender and social class are not the only stereotypes present and challenged throughout the text. Racial stereotypes also tend to be a common issue throughout the novel, one of which is shown through the character of Calpurnia. Calpurnia is the maid and cook of the Finch family, but has also played a major role in raising the children. Scout looks up to her as she is the only mother-like figure present in her life. Scout admires her without noticing the colour of her skin, and views her for her human qualities. Calpurnia is more than merely a cook for the family. She is a mother figure, and skin colour isn’t taken into consideration.Calpurnias’ attitude comes across as confident, and not submissive as black maids for white families are stereotyped to be. The way in which Atticus trusts and allows Calpurnia to run the household illustrates that he believes she is an asset to society and not like the stereotypical black person in the time where crimes often blamed on their race. Much as my generation is far more open minded than the last, these children, as will I will go on to model acceptance for skin colours and appearances.

I really recommend “To Kill a Mockingbird” to anyone who enjoys an enlightening read. The novel shows how social, gender and racial stereotypes were back in the day, and how much society has progressed through these. Personally, I was able to relate to the characters in the novel, particularly Scout. Her tomboyish manner was much like mine at a young age. I despised dresses and had friends of who the majority were boys. Throughout the novel I was shown how much easier it was for me growing up like that, than for her.