IGCSE English literature: To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

IGCSE English literature: To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Racism

• The majority of the white population of Maycomb are racist
• Black people were not seen as fully-rounded people
• Harper Lee was aware of these attitudes and decided to focus on the good traits of black characters in this novel

Racist ideas

Anti-racist ideas

• Some people are more open-minded and recognise racism in the society

Compassion/empathy

• One of the most important moral lessons Atticus tries to teach Scout and Jem is to have empathy for people – to try to see things from their perspectives

Education

Moral Education

• Harper Lee explores many of the flaws in the education system in Maycomb – and how it restricts the learning of children
• For example, Miss Caroline’s teaching is ineffective and constricting.
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• Moral education is taught at home by Atticus, Calpurnia and Miss Maudie
• Atticus wants to build a social conscience in Scout and Jem
• Most important moral lessons are: sympathy and understanding

Scout learns a variety of things from the different characters in the novel:

• Calpurnia: to be polite and tolerant towards everyone
• Atticus: To be able to appreciate courage and empathise with people
• Aunt Alexandra: the value of being a “lady”

– One of the most important moral teachings Atticus teaches Scout and Jem is on empathy.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus

→ Metaphor – Atticus teaches his children indirectly so they still have the capacity to come to their own judgements

→ His language is easy for Scout to understand and relate to, shows his understanding of children

Education system in Maycomb

“Jem that damn lady says Atticus’s been teaching me to read, and for him to stop” – Scout

→ There is a problem with the education in Maycomb, they follow very strict rules and do not allow the children space to learn and come to their own viewpoints

→ Use of profanity “damn” at such a young age shows that school can also have a negative impact on children

“She said you taught me all wrong…”- Scout

→ Miss Caroline doesn’t understand that children can learn at home as well

→ She firmly believes in the school education system, and thinks it is the only “right” way to learn

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