FREE ESSAY ON TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD

TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD

To Kill A Mocking Bird deals with many primal and basic lessons in human nature. The book
exposes many issues that affect most people throughout their lives. Scout, the main
character was one of the most affected by these lessons. During the book she was exposed
to many profound experiences, which no doubt will leave a lasting impression. In the
three years that the book took place, she may have learned the most important things she
will learn over her entire life.
One person that affected Scouts life was Boo Radley. He brought wonder, fear and then
finally relief to her heart. At first kids thought he was evil. There were rumours that
while he cut out the newspaper for his scrap book he drove the scissors into his parent's
leg.(pg11) He had tried to kill them. Even though this may have been just a rumor the
kids were terrified of the Radleys. They described him often as a monster six-and-a-half
feet tall with bloodstained hands. He was said to eat raw squirrels and any cats he could
catch.(pg12) During the rest of the book Scout and companions tried to meet Arthur (Boo)
and get over their fear of him. They did not succeed. But he showed affection for them by
leaving them gifts in a tree. Finally at the end of the book he proves he is a good
person by saving Scout and Jem's lives. In this instance Scout may have found that to
negatively prejudge someone is wrong. She also learned compassion.
Scout also learnt about the ugliness of life. About death and pain. This lesson occurred
while her brother had to read to a sick and dieing old lady. This lady's name was Mrs.
Dubose. She had been a morphine addict and had decided to go clean till her death. To die
as a free women, to die knowing she had won. Scout describes her as a ugly lady and
during their reading sessions she would have some kind of spasm-fits. Her head moved side
to side. She would drool. Her mouth seemed to have a private existence of it's own.
(pg.107) After many reading sessions with her having a fit each time, she died one day. 
Probably the most important person in Scout's life was the one who had set the best
examples for her. This was Atticus. He taught Scout how to deal with people. One of his
teachings was to be the bigger person. When Bob Ewell spit in Atticus's face and
threatened his life, he did nothing and walked away. All he had to say later was,I wish
Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco.(pg.217) Atticus reacts with his brain not emotions. He
encourages Scout to do the same.
Another trait that he teaches is respect. Respect for people who are different. People
such as Boo Radley. The kids had been acting out a play which involved Boo's scissor
incident. They also tried to give a letter to him, so that he would come out to meet
them. Atticus found out about both incidents. They were put in their place and told to,
stop tormenting that man. He then told them that, what Mr.Radley did was his own
business.(pg.49) Atticus also commanded respect for black people. He once told Jem that
if a white man cheats a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a
family he comes from, that man is trash.(pg.220) At the trial he also explained that
there are bad and good black men as there are good and bad white men.(pg.204)
Two more models that helped Scout out. The first was a valuable example set by Atticus.
He had been told to defend Tom Robinson. The case was a lost cause because he was beat
before he began, and it would bring hardship to himself and his family. He knew this, but
did not give up. It was the right thing to do. As he told his brother, do you think I
could face my children otherwise(pg.88) Scout heard this conversation and understood it
in later years. Again teaching this gives her a valuable example; Stick to what you
believe in. A lesson in effort and commitment was also demonstrated by Mrs. Dubose. After
finding out that she would soon die, she decided to kick the morphine. This was a very
hard thing for her or for that matter anyone to do. She was the bravest person I knew.
said Atticus. He also again repeated that courage is when, you know you're licked before
you begin but you begin anyway.(pg.112) This is in fact a mirror image example of what he
was doing by taking on the Robinson case. 
And finally not so much a lesson but a warning for Scout. The warning comes from Boo
Radley, a man who keeps away from society as he seems to fear it. His life is a perfect
testimony for all the bad and ugliness of our world. As Jem said best. I think I'm
beginning to understand why Boo Radley stayed shut up in the house all this
time......It's because he wants to stay inside.
It become apparent that the things that Scout has learned are all very important. Some
maybe the most important during her lifetime. This is why these may have been some of the
most important years of here life. And that all the experiences that she went though were
essential.