Good and Evil can co-exist EMPATHY

The moral voice of To Kill a Mockingbird is embodied by Atticus

Finch, who has experienced and understood evil without losing his
faith in the human capacity for goodness. NOT SIMPLY
CREATURES OF GOOD OR EVIL, MOST PEOPLE HAVE BOTH
GOOD AND BAD QUALITIES. APPRECIATE THE GOOD
QUALITIES AND UNDERSTAND THE BAD QUALITIES BY
TREATING OTHERS WITH EMPATHY AND TRYING TO SEE LIFE
FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE.
-

Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewells shows a minute

Throughout the novel, Atticus rejects dualism and humanises Bob

Ewell, highlighting his human nature and promoting empathy
despite the Ewells demonised and evil portrayal.
-

You never understand a person until you climb into his skin
and walk around in it

Metaphor: Crucial piece of moral advice that governs Scouts

development for the rest of the novel. The simple wisdom of
Atticuss words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he
guides himself by this sole principle of empathy
-

I sometimes felt a twinge of remoseat ever having taken

part in what must have been sheer torment to Arthur Radley

Scout understands/appreciates his quiet dignity; not the scary figure

Maycomb community had conjured/concocted

reality vs appearance
Hitler persecuting Jews: that aint no cause to persecute em.
Theyre white, aint they?
Hypocrisy/Ironic juxtaposition as justification for a hope of ending
persecution is based on prejudice child demonstrates the
entrenched nature of bias in society
Mrs Merriweathers large brown eyes always filled with tears when
she considered the oppressed Those poor Mrunas VS sulky
darky (Sophie her servant) Mrs Merriweather gossip in the
missionary circle tea

PREJUDICE
Racial
-

I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without
catching Maycombs usual disease

Metaphor refers to the widespread susceptibility to racial prejudice

in society. Atticus shooting the dog Tim Johnson is an extended
metaphor of the moral values he is fighting for overcome the
oppression of blacks
-

A black dog suffered on a summers day

Dehumanising black community

-

Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a niggers

mentality to have no plan

Judgments and expectations

Class
-

White people wouldnt have anything to do with her because

she lived among pigs Negroes wouldnt have anything to do
with her because she was white

Mesodiplosis pertaining to phrase wouldnt have anything

emphasises rigid class hierarchical structure in Maycomb
-

Hes (just) a Cunningham

Scout constantly refers back to class differences and gets

reprimanded

JUSTICE
Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom
Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts, Atticus had no
case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Eweell opened her
mouth and screamed
Atticus, to the best of his abilities and available avenues, cannot
stop the inexorable conviction of a black man. [prejudice, rigidity of
society, conformity, structured and unable to break from traditional
judgments]

When its a black mans word against a white mans word,

the white man always wins

unmitigated temerity to 'feel sorry' for a white woman has

had to put his word against two white people
-

"I don't know [how they could convict TR], but they did it.
They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it
again and when they do itseems that only children weep.

Clouded adult perceptions: racism, intolerance, ignorance, prejudice

MOCKINGBIRD
-

ITS A SIN TO KILL A MOCKINGIBIRD

Metaphor to draw out innocence and helplessness of Tom Robinson

and Radley

Reflects the wrongdoing, widespread sin (refer to disease)

in the town where prejudice influences them to condemn a
man based on race
Sacrificed, subjected, abused by prejudice
Mr Underwood likened Toms death to the senseless slaughter
of songbirds

TR is victimised by society (link to justice black mans word against

white mans). ALLITERATION EMPHASISES IRRATIONALITY AND
CRUELTY
-

(mashing the bug) Jem: because they dont bother you

Jem has matured and recognises the vulnerability in the oppressed

COURAGE
The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's
conscience
Truly courageous people will fight against conformity and societal
pressure
Good evening, Mrs Dubose! You look like a picture this evening.
it was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns
and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever
lived.

I wanted you to see something about her I wanted you to see what
real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man
with a fun in his hand.
Atticus life lesson

HOPE FOR CHANGE/ MATURING

I think theres just one kind of folks. Folks. Scouts realisation
after life lessons of empathy, injustice in society, nuances/layers in
situations. Colloquial folks = child
'Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win butwe're making a step.
It's just a baby step, but it's a step.'
Through Miss Maudie's comment, it is illustrated that although
racism is still a prevalent part of the Maycomb county, there is a
glimmer of hope that people were starting to question their intrinsic
moral beliefs and values and pave the way to change. It is clear
that Atticus main aim, his only hope of having an impact.
Was to sway the thoughts of the audiences so that there
may be a seed of doubt planted into society, which might
manifest and grown into a new and improved era of social
acceptance across all races and socio-economic boundaries.

'A Walter Cunningham, who led the lynch mob, was the one who
kept the jury out for so long.'

RETROSPECTIVE POV/PERSPECTIVE/REFLECTION OF A CHILD

-

Transformation from child naivety to maturity and insight

Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom boo would
feel more comfortable in the dark

USEFUL PHRASES TO KNOW:

Lees novel is a didactic allegory which is intended to impact

on the readers perceptions and understandings of the
nuances of society; her primary objective was to target
withstanding racial prejudices and reveal the true face of
racial discrimination and injustice through writing/text.
Prevalent impact of injustice/prejudice
Engrained into societys functioning
Utilise effect literary techniques/ stylistic features
In contrast, moreover, in conjunction, ultimately
A gateway to express
Entrenched within society
Stigma, expectation
FRAMEWORK of racial segregation, suppression,
discrimination, oppression
Mar and deface the foundations of discriminatory
perspectives and injustice
Persuaded to experience guilt and perhaps hope towards
better circumstances in the future
Shame white societal prejudice, instil a sense of guilt,
uncertainty, change
TRs conviction at the time was inevitable, forgone conclusion,
inexorable