101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples

If you struggle to find “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on prejudice, race, the characters’ courage, or any other issue, look no further. Our team has prepared a list of titles and essay writing tips for this book.

🏆 Best To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics & Examples

📌 most interesting to kill a mockingbird essay titles, 👍 good to kill a mockingbird research topics, ❓ to kill a mockingbird essay questions.

Before we will talk about the do’s and don’ts in essay writing, let’s clarify the types of essay.

When working on “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay thesis, you can focus on the facts of the book or concentrate on your attitude towards its key issues and characters. According to your approach, we can divide essays into two main areas:

  • Objective essay: you set out your personal thoughts on a chosen issue and provide supporting arguments and evidence;
  • Subjective essay: you express your point of view on a specific topic without claiming the truth and strengthening it with facts.

For example, when you choose a “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on goodness, you will state that Atticus is a kind and fearless. No doubt that this character has a positive role.

On the other hand, when you describe Mayella, you will have to choose: will you condemn her or express pity.

As for the essay content, it can be divided into many subcategories:

  • Philosophical essay
  • Critical essay
  • Literary analysis
  • Historical essay, etc.

There are also a few key literary types:

  • Feature article, etc.

Do’s & Don’ts When Writing To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

Now, it’s time to talk about what you should write and what to avoid in your paper. First of all, you have to remember that all “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay titles should reveal the essence of the issue.

Recommendations for essay writing:

  • Do mark your essay subject at the beginning of the text. “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay hooks will help you to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to emphasize the central issue in the conclusion.
  • Do support the style of presentation by your emotions, vision, and opinion. Use the “question-answer” in paragraphs. Make the transitions between paragraphs harmonious and smooth.
  • Do use quotes, historical facts, and observations to argue the thesis statement, solve the main issue, and describe the key subject of the paper.
  • Do stick to the central thesis of your essay. Avoid deepen into philosophical reflections — tell about concrete facts and examples. Here’s an example: don’t include the facts from the author’s biography if you focus on the events of the book and factors that affect discrimination.
  • Do proofread the paper. Read carefully your essay several times and think if your readers will understand your expressions.
  • Do not use specific terminology in “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay. For example, when you write about discrimination, you don’t necessarily have to provide its dictionary definition or use complex law, historical and psychological literature, and samples. Just your own language. However, it doesn’t mean that your opinion should seem ungrounded.
  • Do add your emotions to the paper. Let your readers feel that you believe in your ideas when defending the essay thesis.
  • Don’t choose the header before you write an essay. First, you should write an essay, and only then compile the title of your paper.

Well, now you know about the essay types, what to do, and what to avoid in your essay. Of course, you may ask: “What to write in my own essay?”

The key to success is to start. Check “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay examples on our website to get inspiration. Even the topic seems to you too complicated, start your research, and then you will be able to express new and original thoughts.

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  • Novel Appreciation: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The contemporary discussion of this novel is often tied to the question of racism; nevertheless, I am convinced that this book can be of great interest to modern readers, and I would like to discuss […]
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  • The Problem of Racism and Injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee In the novel, Harper Lee demonstrates her vision of the question of the social inequality with references to the problem of racism in the society based on prejudice and absence of actual principles of tolerance […]
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  • “To Kill a Mockingbird” Drama Film The plot proves to be logical and consistent throughout the movie, motivating the audience to watch till the end of the film.
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  • “To Kill a Mockingbird”: The Novel by Harper Lee Scout does not realize the severity of many of the events of the book as they are taking place, and as such she is an innocent.
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  • Racist Trial in the Novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee For the purpose, evaluation would be made in the context of utilization of events, time and culture of the book and compare it to today’s society, culture and racial attitudes.
  • Racial Prejudice in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” Paul Lawrence Dunbar in his poem, “Sympathy” has vividly portrayed the pangs of a caged bird and likens it to the collective pain that colored people have felt like victims of racial prejudices.”And a pain […]
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  • “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee In consequence, the book became a model source of reading that inspired people to further take on the issues of race in the USA and throughout the world.
  • American Novel: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee It is also worth to mention that the novel is indeed relevant to its readership because it mirrors the nature of society affected by racism and inequality. Through the act of inclusiveness, I am in […]
  • What It Takes to Kill a Mockingbird: In Search for the Differences Between the Novel and a Movie The characters both in the novel and in the movie were often pushed to the breaking point; however, one of such moments described in the book was left out of the movie.
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  • To Kill a Mockingbird: Movie Analysis Speaking of the movements which convey the essence of the film without any speech “intrusion”, it would be a good idea to drive the example of Boo Radley standing in the darker corner of the […]
  • To Kill a Mockingbird The author, in the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird presents a deeper understanding in relation to events occurring in her novel. To enhance understanding of the novel, the author has widely embraced symbolism in […]
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  • The Significance of the Title of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
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35 To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics

Harper Lee’s classic American novel To Kill a Mockingbird is among the most taught books in American literature. The story of young Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus–as told through the eyes of Scout–is one that has captivated readers for generations.

With the reading of the novel also comes an assortment of assignments that require students to analyze and interpret the text. One such assignment is the To Kill a Mockingbird essay.

While understanding the book’s content can be a challenge in and of itself, crafting a well-written essay on the subject can be even more so. However, we’ve created a handy guide detailing everything you need to know about writing a To Kill a Mockingbird essay, including tips on structure and 35 essay topic ideas.

How to Write the Essay

To Kill A Mockingbird essays can be written in many different writing styles depending on the essay prompt and the teacher’s individual preferences. However, there are a few key things that every To Kill A Mockingbird essay should have. Let’s take a look at what those are.

A Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement is the most crucial element of a good To Kill A Mockingbird essay. This statement is what your entire essay will be based around and should be narrow in focus. Depending on whether your essay is an argumentative, persuasive, comparative statement, or literary analysis essay, your thesis will take on a different form.

An Argumentative Thesis Statement

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a clear position on the issue at hand. For example, if you’re writing about whether or not Atticus Finch is a good father, your thesis statement might look something like this:

“Atticus Finch is a good father because he is patient, teaches his children to be moral people, and is always there for them when they need him.”

A Persuasive Thesis Statement

If you’re writing a persuasive essay, your thesis statement will take on a slightly different form. Instead of simply stating your position, you’ll also need to provide evidence from the text to support your claim. So, for example, if you’re writing about whether or not Atticus Finch is a good father, your thesis statement might look something like this:

“Atticus Finch is a good father because he is patient, teaches his children to be moral people, and is always there for them when they need him. This is evident in how he deals with Scout’s defiance, helps Jem come to terms with Boo Radley, and stands up for Tom Robinson in court.”

A Comparative Thesis Statement

If you’re writing a comparative essay, your thesis statement will need to compare and contrast two or more characters, themes, or elements from the text. For example, if you’re comparing and contrasting the characters of Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell, your thesis statement might look something like this:

“Though both Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell are fathers, they couldn’t be more different in the way they raise their children. Atticus Finch is a patient and level-headed father who instils morality in his children, while Bob Ewell is an abusive and alcoholic father who does nothing but harm his daughter.”

A Literary Analysis Thesis Statement

In this type of essay, you’ll be asked to analyze the themes, symbols, or other literary devices used in the text. So, for example, if you’re writing about the theme of racism in To Kill A Mockingbird, your thesis statement might look something like this:

“The theme of racism is evident in To Kill A Mockingbird through the characters of Tom Robinson, Calpurnia, and Atticus Finch.”

In each of these examples, you’ll notice that the thesis statement is clear, concise, and takes a position on the issue at hand. This is exactly what your thesis statement should do as well.

The Body Paragraphs

Once you have a thesis statement, you can begin to write the body paragraphs of your essay. In each body paragraph, you’ll need to include a topic sentence, supporting evidence from the text, and your own analysis.

The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph and introduces the main idea that will be discussed in the paragraph. The supporting evidence can be quotes, events, or other information from the text that backs up your main idea. And finally, your analysis is your interpretation of the evidence and how it supports your main idea.

For example, if you’re writing about Atticus Finch as a good father, your first body paragraph might look something like this:

Paragraph 1:

  • Topic sentence: Atticus is a good father because he is patient.
  • Supporting evidence: “Atticus was making a feeble attempt to comfort her, but his hands were shaking as badly as hers.” (Lee 94)
  • Analysis: This quote shows that even when Scout is misbehaving, Atticus remains calm and patient with her.

With each new paragraph, you’ll need to include a new topic sentence and supporting evidence.

The Conclusion

The conclusion of your essay is where you’ll need to tie everything together and leave your reader with a clear understanding of your position. To do this, you’ll need to restate your thesis statement and main points from the body of your essay.

You’ll also want to leave the reader with something to think about. Maybe offer a new perspective on the text, or suggest how the themes of the text apply to real life.

For example, your conclusion might look something like this:

“Though Atticus Finch is a fictional character, he serves as an excellent role model for fathers everywhere. His patience, morality, and courage are qualities that all fathers should strive to possess.”

35 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics

Sometimes the most challenging part of essay writing is coming up with a topic. That is where this list of To Kill A Mockingbird essay topics will come in handy.

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Racism

  • The racist attitudes of the people in Maycomb County
  • The impact of racism on the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • The trial of Tom Robinson and its role in exploring the issue of racism
  • Atticus Finch’s views on race and how they change throughout the novel
  • How racism affects the relationships between the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Family

  • The different types of families represented in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • The role of family in shaping the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch as a father figure
  • The impact of Scout’s family on her development
  • How the absence of a mother figure affects the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Courage

  • The definition of courage and how it applies to the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch as a model of courage
  • Mrs Dubose as an example of courage
  • How the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird define and demonstrate courage
  • The impact of cowardice on the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Morality

  • The moral development of the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch as a moral compass for his children
  • The importance of morality in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • How the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird deal with moral dilemmas
  • The impact of immorality on the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Prejudice

  • The different types of prejudice represented in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • The role of prejudice in shaping the events of the novel
  • How the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird deal with prejudice
  • The impact of prejudice on the relationships between the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch’s views on prejudice and how they change throughout the novel

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Topics About Injustice

  • The injustice of the trial of Tom Robinson
  • The role of injustice in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • How do the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird deal with injustice
  • The impact of injustice on the relationships between the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch’s views on justice and how they change throughout the novel

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics About Gender

  • The role of gender in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • How characters in To Kill A Mockingbird are impaired or helped by gender roles
  • The impact of gender roles on the relationships between the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird
  • Atticus Finch’s views on gender and how they change throughout the novel
  • The significance of Scout’s development as a tomboy

With any of these 35 To Kill A Mockingbird essay topics, you will have a pretty easy time coming up with an excellent essay. Remember to create a strong thesis and use the guide above when writing your To Kill A Mockingbird essay body and conclusion.

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109 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic novel that has been studied in classrooms for decades. The story of Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, as he defends a black man accused of raping a white woman in the segregated South, has sparked countless discussions and debates about race, justice, and morality. If you're tasked with writing an essay on this timeless piece of literature, you may be wondering where to start. To help you get the creative juices flowing, here are 109 To Kill a Mockingbird essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing:

  • Analyze the theme of morality and ethics in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Discuss the role of empathy and compassion in the novel.
  • Explore the theme of racial inequality and injustice in the South.
  • Examine the character of Atticus Finch and his moral integrity.
  • Compare and contrast Atticus' parenting style with that of other characters in the novel.
  • Discuss the significance of the mockingbird as a symbol in the story.
  • Analyze the social hierarchy in Maycomb and its impact on the characters.
  • Explore the theme of education and ignorance in the novel.
  • Discuss the importance of community and belonging in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Examine the character of Boo Radley and his role in the story.
  • Compare and contrast the experiences of Scout and Jem as they mature throughout the novel.
  • Analyze the symbolism of the Radley house in the story.
  • Discuss the theme of courage and bravery in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Explore the role of women in the novel and how they challenge traditional gender roles.
  • Examine the relationship between Scout and Calpurnia and its significance in the story.
  • Discuss the impact of social norms and expectations on the characters in the novel.
  • Analyze the character of Tom Robinson and his representation of innocence and injustice.
  • Discuss the theme of prejudice and discrimination in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Compare and contrast the attitudes of different characters towards race and class.
  • Examine the symbolism of the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel.
  • Discuss the significance of the title To Kill a Mockingbird and its relation to the story.
  • Explore the theme of childhood innocence and loss of innocence in the novel.
  • Analyze the role of gossip and rumors in shaping the characters' perceptions of each other.
  • Discuss the importance of perspective and point of view in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Compare and contrast the different forms of courage exhibited by the characters in the novel.
  • Examine the theme of social justice and the legal system in the South.
  • Discuss the impact of poverty and class on the characters' lives in Maycomb.
  • Analyze the relationship between Scout and her brother Jem and how it evolves throughout the story.
  • Explore the symbolism of the mockingbird and its relation to innocence and purity.
  • Discuss the theme of redemption and forgiveness in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Compare and contrast the experiences of different characters as they confront prejudice and discrimination.
  • Analyze the character of Bob Ewell and his representation of evil and ignorance.
  • Discuss the theme of heroism and sacrifice in the novel.
  • Examine the symbolism of the courthouse in the story.
  • Explore the theme of social change and progress in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Discuss the impact of historical events, such as the Great Depression, on the characters in the novel.
  • Analyze the role of religion and spirituality in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Compare and contrast the different forms of discrimination experienced by the characters in the story.
  • Discuss the significance of the trial of Tom Robinson in challenging the status quo.
  • Examine the symbolism of the mad dog incident in the novel.
  • Discuss the theme of justice and fairness in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Analyze the character of Mayella Ewell and her representation of victimhood and oppression.
  • Explore the theme of social isolation and alienation in the story.
  • Discuss the impact of fear and prejudice on the characters' actions and beliefs.
  • Compare and contrast the different forms of courage exhibited by Scout and Jem.
  • Analyze the symbolism of the Finch family name in the novel.
  • Discuss the theme of family and loyalty in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Examine the relationship between Atticus and his sister Alexandra and how it reflects the values of the Finch family.
  • Explore the role of tradition and heritage in shaping the characters' identities.
  • Discuss the significance of the fire at Miss Maudie's house in the story.
  • Analyze the character of Miss Maudie and her role as a moral compass for the children.
  • Compare and contrast the experiences of different characters as they confront change and progress.
  • Discuss the impact of community values and norms on the characters' actions and beliefs.
  • Examine the symbolism of the treehouse and its relation to innocence and childhood.
  • Explore the theme of empathy and understanding in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Discuss the significance of the mockingbird as a symbol of innocence and purity.
  • Analyze the character of Calpurnia and her role as a surrogate mother for Scout and Jem.
  • Compare and contrast the experiences of different characters as they navigate the complexities of race and class.
  • Discuss the impact of social expectations and norms on the characters' identities.
  • Examine the symbolism of the courthouse and its relation to justice and fairness.
  • Explore the theme of social responsibility and civic duty in the novel.
  • Analyze the character of Boo Radley and his representation of isolation and alienation.
  • Explore the theme of justice and fairness in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Discuss the role of empathy and compassion in the story.
  • Analyze the character of Atticus Finch and his moral integrity.
  • Explore the theme of education and ignorance in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Discuss the importance of community and belonging in the novel.
  • Discuss the impact of fear and prejudice on the characters' actions and

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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105 pages • 3 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-28

Chapters 29-31

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Further Reading & Resources

Discussion Questions

To Kill A Mockingbird is often categorized as a “bildungsroman,” or “coming of age” novel, following the childhood evolution, learning, and growth of young Scout and Jem. Over the course of the book, both characters develop increasingly-mature consciousnesses about the world; however, their individual growth processes are also specifically gendered as feminine and masculine. What are some of the ways Scout and Jem develop according to traditional southern standards for women and men? What are some of the ways both Scout and Jem resist that development?

Since the 1960 publication of To Kill A Mockingbird , Atticus Finch has been widely upheld as a role model for real world lawyers, even inspiring many people to pursue the practice of law. Recently, however, critics have argued that Atticus Finch didn’t do as much as he could have to disrupt the climate of racism, sexism, and classism he practiced within. Do you feel Atticus Finch continues to endure as a strong role model, or do you think his practices are outdated?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee, to kill a mockingbird essay questions.

Analyze the relationship between Boo Radley and the children. How does this relationship change throughout the book? What are the causes of the developments in this relationship?

Discuss the concept of fear as presented in the novel. Compare the children's early fear of Boo Radley to their fear or lack thereof when Bob Ewell attacks them. Is Scout correct in stating that real fear can only be found in books?

Discuss the concept of family and Lee's presentation of the American family. What does it consist of?

Although critized openly, Atticus is respected throughout the town of Maycomb. Why is this true?

Discuss the concept of education. Does Lee argue for a dominance of education in the home or institutionalized education? What evidence does she provide?

Trace the theme of the mockingbird throughout the novel and analyze what the bird symbolizes or represents.

Trace Boo Radley's development from monster to savior. How does Scout's understanding of Boo develop? What lessons does Boo teach Scout?

Discuss Atticus's approach to parenting. What is his relationship with his children? Can his parenting style be criticized? If so, how?

Scout and Jem mature considerably through the course of the novel. What developmental changes do they go through, and what causes these changes?

Discuss the town of Maycomb as you might discuss a main character in the book. What is the identity or "character" of the town, and how (if at all) does it change and grow over the years? How does its diversity give it a pluralistic character?

Discuss law as it is represented in To Kill A Mockingbird . What power and limitations exist within the legal system according to Atticus, Jem, and Scout?

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To Kill a Mockingbird Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for To Kill a Mockingbird is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Discuss the concept of education.

Shortly after the novel begins, Scout starts her first year at school. The educational system in Maycomb leaves much to be desired. Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught...

How old was Scout when her mother died?

Scout's mother died when she was two years old.

Our mother died when I was two, so I never felt her absence.

Where can I find the literary devices used in each chapter a book?

To find literary devices used in each chapter of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, you can refer to literary analysis guides, study aids, or academic resources that offer chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. Here are a few places where you might...

Study Guide for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee. The To Kill a Mockingbird study guide contains a biography of Harper Lee, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About To Kill a Mockingbird
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Essays for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

  • The Impact of Class Structure
  • Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The Journey Motif in Works of American Literature
  • Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird and Goin' Someplace Special
  • Character Analysis in To Kill A Mockingbird

Lesson Plan for To Kill a Mockingbird

  • About the Author
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  • Introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher

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essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

Evergreen To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics

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Evergreen To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics for High-Flying Essays

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most taught and popular books in American literature. It contains the story of a young Scout Fitch, her brother Jem, and their dad Atticus. Reading this novel also exposes you to different academic assignments that require thorough analysis and interpretation. 

Producing excellent To Kill a Mockingbird essays requires a good foundation, which includes finding the most suitable To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics . This post shares the best sample topics for your writing. It also offers tips for selecting suitable TKAM essay topics . Keep reading to learn more.

Tips for Selecting Suitable To Kill a Mocking Bird essay topics

Choosing the right To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics is necessary for drafting papers that fetch good marks. Accurate selection also captures readers’ interest from the start. Below are tips for selecting titles for To Kill a Mockingbird essays .

  • Brainstorm your To Kill a Mockingbird essay ideas to determine their suitability. 
  • Choose topics that you can easily research without facing unnecessary difficulties defending your ideas.
  • Your potential titles must interest readers.
  • Select TKAM essay topics you are genuinely passionate about so you can easily research and write about them.
  • If possible, let your trusted friends or classmates give their feedback on the prospective topics before choosing them.

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics About Racism

Racism is one of the leading themes in this novel. Here are sample To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics for future consideration. 

  • Describe the racist attitudes expressed by people in Maycomb County.
  • Describe how racism impacts this novel’s characters.
  • Discuss the trial of Tom Robinson and how it exposes racism.
  • Explore Atticus Finch’s views on racism and how they change in the novel.
  • Describe how racism impacts the relationships between the novel’s characters.
  • What does the trial of Tom Robinson say about racism in the so-called “land of the free?”
  • How does this novel expose the prejudices African Americans face across the United States today?

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles About the Family

Family is a central theme in this novel. Here are great To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics for jumpstarting you.

  • Discuss the various types of families represented in this novel.
  • Explore how the family shaped the characters in this novel.
  • Dissect Atticus Finch as a father figure in the novel.
  • Discuss how Scout’s family affected her development.
  • Explain how the absence of mother figures affects the characters in this thriller. 
  • Explore how parents influence their children.
  • Discuss the family and how Lee presents the American family model. 

Good Research Topics for To Kill A Mockingbird About Injustice

Injustice dots this novel’s landscape. Here are inspiring To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics on this theme.

  • Discuss how injustice manifests through Tom Robinson’s trial. 
  • Explore how injustice flows through the novel .
  • Discuss how the characters in the book handle injustice.
  • How does injustice affect human relationships in the novel?
  • Discuss Atticus Finch’s perspectives on justice.
  • Explore unjust persecution as a central theme in this novel.
  • Explore the plight of stereotyped victims in the novel.

Top To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Questions

Asking and answering the right questions is critical to understanding this thrilling novel . It also helps generate suitable To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics . Below are the top questions to ask.

  • How old is Atticus Finch?
  • What does Mrs. Maudie’s Nut Grass epitomize in the thrilling novel? 
  • Are femininity and the power of women still relevant in modern American society?
  • How does this book represent fathers?
  • What is the main theme in the novel?  
  • How does this novel present racism in the 1930s?
  • What are the most vital lessons people can learn from this book?
  • Are the novel’s themes still relevant?
  • Why is Atticus Finch a hero in this novel?
  • What does this novel teach modern society about family life, values, and bonds?
  • What would you describe as this novel’s climax?
  • How does this book expose prejudice and hypocrisy?
  • How does this American masterpiece benefit students?
  • How can readers connect to the social setting in the thriller? 
  • Who is the novel’s protagonist?

Closing Remarks

Succeeding in To Kill a Mockingbird theme essays requires a careful selection of suitable To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics . Therefore, we provided you with the best sample topic ideas to help you succeed in your future assignments. We also give tips to help you choose the right titles.

Do you still need further assistance with To Kill a Mockingbird essay topics or any other academic task? Go ahead and contact us for timely help.

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  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essays

To Kill A Mockingbird Essays (Examples)

To Kill a Mockingbird essays remain one of our most requested essay types.  To Kill a Mockingbird has one of the easiest-to

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essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

Justice and Goodness in to Kill a Mockingbird

Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age tale told from the perspective of a young girl in the Deep South. The perspective of the novel provides the reader with a fresh, innocent view of a world that is eventually stripped away of its gloss: the innocent eyes see a world that is riddled with injustice, lies, hatred, and evil -- yet in spite of the world of fallen nature that opens up before the girl there remains a hidden goodness that emerges to give the reader enough hope to carry on. This to me is the most interesting part…...

mla Works Cited Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. NY: McIntosh and Otis, 1988.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Abstract / Introduction When writing a “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay, keep in mind Harper Lee’s 1960 novel is a Pulitzer Prize winning classic.  It was well-received at the time and is still loved and admired by new readers today.  One of the reasons the story is so successful is that Lee uses archetypes to present a world of good and evil that is easy for audiences to understand.  Atticus Finch is the archetypal hero, defending the good; Bob Ewell is the archetypal villain, pursuing evil at all costs even unto his own destruction.  In this article, we’ll take a look…...

mla Resource Lee, Harper. (2006). To kill a mockingbird. New York :Harper Perennial Modern Classics,

Horton Foote and to Kill a Mockingbird

Horton Foote and "To Kill a Mockingbird" Horton Foote Some aspects of a literary work are often revealed through the author's biography. Horton Foote is no exception, as his biography reveals a thoughtful Southern writer who could brilliantly capture life's conflicts, triumphs and defeats. Both honored and criticized, Foote remained a considerate chronicler of humanity whose work is still admired decades after publication and whose life is an inspiration. Horton Foote (March 14, 1969 -- March 4, 2009) was a southerner, born and raised in harton, Texas (Hopwood). The remaining facts of his personal life are simple and straightforward. Barred from military service…...

mla Works Cited Baker, Frank W. "Film Study Guide for "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Seeing the Film Through the Lens of Media Literacy." 2003. Frank W. Baker Web site. Web. 29 March 2012. Berardinelli, James. "To Kill a Mockingbird." 2012. Reel Views Web site. Web. 29 March 2012.

Symbolism in to Kill a Mockingbird

Kill Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that discusses race relations and the justice system in American culture. Atticus is a lawyer who defends a black man on trial for raping a white woman. As a result, the community is against Atticus and his family. Symbolism is one way that author Harper Lee discusses the sensitive issues in the novel, which was published first in 1960. At that time, the Civil Rights Act had not been passed and blacks were discriminated against in society. The United States still practiced racial segregation, especially in the South, when Harper Lee…...

mla Works Cited Dave, R.A. "To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lees Tragic Vision." DISCovering Authors. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Discovering Collection. Gale. THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL. 17 May. 2010 . Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird.

Racial Tension and Violence in To Kill a Mockingbird

Historical Context of the Film To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck is a 1962 film adaptation of the 1960 novel by Harper Lee of the same name. The film was produced during a decade in which the Civil Rights Movement was reaching its zenith. Blacks had been protesting throughout the South, and Martin Luther King, Jr., would be arrested in Birmingham in 1963. There he would write his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, justifying his actions at the front of the civil disobedience. Soon thereafter would be the march to Washington and then…...

To Kill a Mocking Bird

Kill a Mockingbird Racism leads to a prejudice that can ultimately affect one's fate through the road of life. Give an entire town reason to hate a certain type of man, and the town can immediately cast that man out for the very color of his skin. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird explores this prejudice in a rural American town in the South. Lee's fictional creation of Maycomb, Alabama showcases a world where racism runs rampant, to the point of unfairness in the justice system, and opens the reader's eyes to a society where the color of one's skin…...

Kill a Mockingbird the Issue

obinson being black and the alleged victim of the rape being a white woman. Finch then states that "I have nothing but pity... For the chief witness whose evidence has been called into serious question... The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is" (Lee, 1988, 231). What Finch is attempting to say is that the true guilt lies on the white woman who has accused Mr. obinson of raping her, an accusation that is false. However, Finch then relates that "She has committed no crime" (Lee, 1988, 231), due to the fact that the statements of…...

mla References Cooper, Michael. (2005). "To Kill a Mockingbird -- a Book Review." Ezine Articles. Internet. Retrieved at   http://ezinearticles.com/?to-Kill-a -

Kill a Mockingbird the 1962

By allowing his children to address him by hist first name, Atticus is dismantling one of the many traditions that serve to reinforce and perpetuate traditions that ultimately only serve to delegitimize the experience and perspective of certain people. This forces the viewer to take Scout's recollections and narration more seriously, because although they are the memories of a relatively young child, the viewer cannot help but treat them with a little more respect in recognition of the respect that Atticus, as the most idealized character in the entire film, grants them. Thus, taking a cue from Atticus, Scout and…...

mla Works Cited Edgerton, Gary. "A Visit to the Imaginary Landscape of Harrison, Texas: Sketching the Film Career of Horton Foote." Literature/Film Quarterly 17.1 (1989): 2-12.

Kill a Mockingbird the Novel to Kill

Kill a Mockingbird The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by author Harper Lee tells the story of a southern American family living in a rural community during the Great Depression. Atticus Finch is the single, widowed father of Jeremy, nicknamed Jem, and Jean Louise, nicknamed Scout. Many people of the town of Maycomb, Alabama dislike the Finches because Atticus is educated, because of the way that Atticus is raising his children and also for his attitudes towards segregation and racial equality. Mr. Finch tries very hard to teach his children right from wrong, to let them live and make some…...

mla Works Cited: Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.

Kill a Mockingbird Is One of the

Kill a Mockingbird is one of the classical American novels that described the lynching of a black man accused of rape in Alabama during the 1930s. In this story, Tom Robinson is completely innocent, having been accused falsely by a white woman named Mayella Ewell. In reality, she was attracted to Tom and attempted to seduce him, but when her father found out he forced her to accuse him of rape. Atticus Finch knows the charges are false and defends Tom in court as best he can, knowing that the death sentence is inevitable in this case. As I…...

mla WORKS CITED Bloom, Harold. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Infobase Publishing, 2007. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. HarperCollins, 1960, 1988.

Kill a Mockingbird by Harper

There are stereotypes on both sides of the racial issues raised in this book, and Lee tries to show that both of them are unfair and generalized, and that there were exceptions on both sides of the Black/white controversies and disagreements in the South. Lee uses rape as a shocking way to bring racism to the surface, because sexual relations between a white woman and black man were even more volatile than just about any other kind of racial contact. The whites could never accept this, which is why it would be impossible for them to acquit Tom obinson at…...

mla References Bawer, Bruce. "The Other Sixties." The Wilson Quarterly Spring 2004: 64+. Dorr, Lisa Lindquist. "Black-on-White Rape and Retribution in Twentieth-Century Virginia: 'Men, Even Negroes, Must Have Some Protection'." Journal of Southern History 66.4 (2000): 711.

Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

Aunt Alexandra does not say "please" or "thank you," just a simple command forcing Cal into subservience. Cal has symbolized strength and authority throughout Scout's childhood, by acting as a mother figure in the Finch household. Scout has never seen Cal in such a low and submissive position Equality is not approved, segregation is traditional, and hate is accepted. Maycomb citizens believe that Tom Robinson is not, and should not be a part of their lives or of their community Atticus, on the other hand, find faults with the towns' traditional views. Thinking logically and wisely, he knows he does not…...

mla Works Cited Draper, James P, ed "Lee, Harper." World Literature Criticism: 1500 to present. vol. 4. Detroit: Gale Research Inc., 1992. Sullivan Richard. "Engrossing First Novel of Rare Excellence." Chicago Sunday Tribune 17 July, 1960.

Kill a Mockingbird Scouts View Innocence Beginning

Kill a Mockingbird Scouts view innocence beginning, middle end a multi-Paragraph 2 chunk 1:2 ratio. I a requirement sheet faxed emailed . Thank Zoanne Gray [HIDDEN] Scout's view of innocence in "To Kill a Mockingbird" The central character in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," Scout, is initially an innocent girl. The fact that she does not associate the low social status of black people in Maycomb, Alabama, with them being discriminated by the white community is essential proving this. This contributes to the belief that she is innocent, considering that she cannot possibly consider that people's nature can be so…...

mla Bibliography: Lee, Harper and Bloom, Harold, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Infobase Publishing, 2010).

Kill a Mockingbird Introduction to the Novel

Kill a Mockingbird Introduction to the novel. Some writers explain that To Kill a Mockingbird is about growing up in the South during the Jim Crow days. Others explain that the story is about racial injustice in the South. Actually, To Kill a Mockingbird is both a story about growing up in the South and about racial bigotry in Alabama in the 1930s, and it goes deeply into the issue of justice and fairness within the big picture of what it was like to be in the South during that era. The story takes place over a period of three…...

mla Works Cited Lee, Harper. 1993. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: HarperCollins.

Kill a Mockingbird the Book

Lastly, both of the novels impart a common moral lesson to the readers. "There is more to it than meets the eye"... this is just one of the lessons that can be achieved from the said novels. Many of the characters in the novels are not what they truly seem to be. Like for example, most would write off Boo adley as a reclusive madman, Miss Dubose as a mean spirited old woman, and Dolphous aymond as a social deviant. These people are loathed by most, but these are not fair judgments (http://www.ezinearticles.com/?to-Kill-a-Mockingbird-a-Book-eview&id=78097,2006). In both novels, it is also the characters…...

mla References Lee, Harper (1998) "To Kill a Mocking Bird." (Reissue Edition). Warner Books. To Kill a Mocking Bird." 2006.   http://www.homework-online.com/tkamb/themes_racism-acceptance.asp 

How would you go about writing a theme statement for the film?

The first thing you need to do is understand what a theme is.  A theme is an idea in a movie.  Many people think of themes as the main idea, but a movie may have a central theme and several other themes.  If you are not sure how to identify a movie’s theme, think about the things in a movie that you want to talk about after you watch it or that leave you thinking about the movie. While themes can spur a number of different discussions, you should be able to describe the them concisely, generally....

I need help with an essay outline on “To Kill a Mockingbird” ACT 1 This is an introduction to Theatre class?

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most beloved books and movies of all time, making it no surprise that it has become a popular theatre production.  There are so many issues that arise in the novel, movie, and screenplay that even seemingly insignificant things, such as Atticus allowing his children to call him by his first name, take on a significance in the story.  If you were working on a narrative criticism or essay , you would highlight that significance.  However, in outlining an act from a play, you do not....

Need Help with Essay Topics on Caged birds?

1. The symbolism of the caged bird in Maya Angelou's autobiographical work, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." 2. The theme of captivity and freedom in Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird." 3. Analyzing the oppression and confinement of women in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper." 4. The symbolism of the birdcage in Henrik Ibsen's play, "A Doll's House," in relation to gender roles and societal expectations. 5. Comparing the experiences of the caged birds in Richard Wright's novel, "Native Son," and Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, "The Handmaid's Tale." 6. Exploring the theme of captivity and liberation in Jean Rhys's....

Could you offer some ideas for titles for my essay examining To Kill a Mockingbird?

1. The Role of Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird 2. Racism and Injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird 3. Moral Development in To Kill a Mockingbird 4. Character Analysis of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird 5. The Symbolism of the Mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird 6. The Importance of Empathy in To Kill a Mockingbird 7. Social Class and Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird 8. Atticus Finch: A Heroic Figure in To Kill a Mockingbird 9. Themes of Childhood and Maturity in To Kill a Mockingbird 10. The Impact of Literature in To Kill a....

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essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird, And 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

next to a large thumb, the poem “I Look at the World” by Langston Hughes, the excerpt from Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick, and the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee all illustrate what it means to be oppressed. The tiny person in the image, the person from the poem, the person from the the excerpt, and characters from To Kill a Mockingbird have been discriminated by the people in their society. Source #1, an image of a small person standing under a giant thumb, depicts a scene where

To Kill A Mockingbird, And To Kill A Mockingbird

Growing up in social environments that are heavily influenced by class systems definitely impacts young peoples’ perspectives. This influence contributes to struggles Hazel from Watership Down, Scout from To kill a Mockingbird and Ellen from Ellen Foster, face, especially handling social order in a nondiscriminatory way. However, Hazel and Scout have family and friends who advise them, whereas Ellen has no one. Ellen Foster presents the most hopeful chance of the end of racism because she suffers

To Kill A Mockingbird In To Kill A Mockingbird

To kill A Mockingbird is a book about a family who goes through a lot. This book tells us the story of two children, Scout and Jem, who are the children of a lawyer by the name of Atticus Finch. Their mother has been dead for a while. I’m am writing of how Scout would be different if her mother was still alive. She could be different by not cursing. She could be more ladylike her Aunt Alexandra. She also would not behave like a boy. “If I didn’t have to stay I’d leave. Jem, that damn lady says Atticus’s

To Kill A Mockingbird

1. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very well-written novel and it has definitely made an impact on me. I am going to remember reading this novel when I get older, because it is the way that Harper Lee wrote it and which choices she made. Harper Lee made it so memorable that even my mom remembers reading it in High School. To Kill a Mockingbird has been talked about by some other famous people too, such as Oprah Winfrey. From Scout, Atticus, and Boo by Mary McDonagh Murphy, Oprah Winfrey talks about getting

Kathleen Dichoso “To Kill a Mockingbird” Critique Presented with the issues of a complex social, ethical, and moral values of individuals and society, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to captivate those who are exposed to its enthralling story. Written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around the time of prejudice and discrimination in the South. In a small town in Alabama, a women named Jean-Louise, recalls her days as a young child back at her house with her father Atticus, her brother

To Reflect on Mockingbird To Kill A Mockingbird reflected the contentious race relations of the 1930’s-1960’s, and sparked nationwide examination of racism. There are countless court cases that closely resemble the trial that took place in the novel, such as the Scottsboro Trials. The book was published right before the culmination of the Civil Rights Movement. In the years after the book’s publication, the Freedom Riders made their famous trip across the South, and the March on Washington took place

Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird” explores key ideas exposing the human condition and the difficulties faced when one is forced to challenge their morality. “To Kill a Mockingbird” remains relevant in today's society as this novel effectively addresses preconceived issues of religion, racism and, the overriding theme of bigotry in our world, no matter the era in which we are living. Lee uses a variety of techniques to convey the social injustices and inequalities of the world in the 1930’s, whilst

To Kill a Mockingbird is a great novel. This book was all about the history and literature about someone's life. It was adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1962. Today, I would like to talk about a quote by a star in the story. "It's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” - Atticus Finch, a small-town Southern lawyer and a single father of two. I like this quote because it carried a great deal of symbolic weight in the film. In fact, it relates to the world today too. In the story of innocents

To Kill A Mockingbird And The Movie Of To Kill A Mockingbird

Introduction     To start off I have to say that I am so impressed by this movie. Most good books are followed by an alright movie even these days with modern filming technology. But this was an awesome movie and book.  I am obviously not the only one who thinks so because this movie received the Academy Award for Best Actor , The Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay,and the Golden Globe for the Best Film Promoting International Understanding. Summary:  Atticus Finch is a lawyer in the racially

To Kill a Mockingbird

Literary Analysis for To Kill a Mockingbird “There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s word, the white always wins. They’re ugly, but these are the facts of life.” ************ Along with the main theme of the story, racism, there are multiple other themes that are represented in the story. These include: the coexistence of good and evil, and importance of mortal education

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression (1929–39). The story centres on Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an unusually intelligent girl who ages from six to nine years old during the novel. She and her brother, Jeremy Atticus (“Jem”), are raised by their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a well-known and respected lawyer. He teaches his children to be empathetic and just, always leading by example.

When Tom Robinson, one of the town’s Black residents, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a young white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community. Although Atticus presents a defense that gives a more plausible interpretation of the evidence—that Mayella was attacked by her father, Bob Ewell—Tom is convicted. He is later killed while trying to escape custody. The children, meanwhile, play out their own miniaturized drama. Scout and Jem become especially interested in the town recluse, Arthur (“Boo”) Radley, who interacts with them by leaving them small gifts in a tree. On Halloween, when Bob Ewell tries to attack Scout and Jem, Boo intervenes and saves them. Boo ultimately kills Ewell. The sheriff, however, decides to tell the community that Ewell’s death was an accident.

It is widely believed that Harper Lee based the character of Atticus Finch on her father, Amasa Coleman Lee, a compassionate and dedicated lawyer. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird was reportedly inspired in part by his unsuccessful defense of two African American men—a father and a son—accused of murdering a white storekeeper. The fictional character of Charles Baker (“Dill”) Harris also has a real-life counterpart. Dill is based on the author Truman Capote , Lee’s childhood friend and next-door neighbour in Monroeville, Alabama. (After the spectacular success of To Kill a Mockingbird , some speculated that Capote was the actual author of Lee’s work. This rumour was not put to rest until 2006.) There is some anecdotal evidence that the town recluse, Arthur (“Boo”) Radley, was based on Lee and Capote’s childhood neighbour, Son Boulware. According to Capote, Boo “was a real man, and he lived just down the road from us.…Everything [Lee] wrote about it is absolutely true.”

Harper Lee began writing To Kill a Mockingbird in the mid-1950s. It was published in 1960, just before the peak of the American civil rights movement . Initial critical responses to the novel were mixed. Many critics praised Lee for her sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to racism and prejudice. Others, however, criticized the novel’s tendency to sermonize. Some reviewers argued that the narrative voice was unconvincing. The novel was nonetheless enormously popular with contemporary audiences. To Kill a Mockingbird flourished in the racially charged environment of the United States in the early 1960s. In its first year it sold about 500,000 copies. A year after the publication of the novel, Lee was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best-known and most widely read books in the United States. Since its publication in 1960, the novel has been translated into some 40 languages and has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. A staple on American high- school reading lists, the novel has inspired numerous stage and film adaptations, the most notable of which was the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Lee’s novel continues to resonate with audiences today; in 2018 a stage adaptation of the novel debuted to rave reviews on Broadway.

In 2015 Harper Lee published a second novel titled Go Set a Watchman . Although it was technically written before To Kill a Mockingbird , the novel is essentially a sequel. Go Set a Watchman is set 20 years after the events of To Kill a Mockingbird . In the novel, Jean Louise (”Scout”) Finch—now a grown woman living in New York City—returns to her childhood home in Alabama to visit her aging father, who has embraced racist views. Despite the controversy surrounding its publication (some believe the novel is actually an early draft of To Kill a Mockingbird ), the novel reportedly sold 1.1 million copies in its first week.

To Kill a Mockingbird , novel by American author Harper Lee , published in 1960. Enormously popular, it was translated into some 40 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide , and is one of the most-assigned novels in American schools. In 1961 it won a Pulitzer Prize . The novel was praised for its sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to racism and prejudice in the American South .

essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression . The protagonist is Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an intelligent though unconventional girl who ages from six to nine years old during the course of the novel. She is raised with her brother, Jeremy Atticus (“Jem”), by their widowed father, Atticus Finch . He is a prominent lawyer who encourages his children to be empathetic and just. He notably tells them that it is “a sin to kill a mockingbird ,” alluding to the fact that the birds are innocent and harmless.

When Tom Robinson, one of the town’s Black residents, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community . At one point he faces a mob intent on lynching his client but refuses to abandon him. Scout unwittingly diffuses the situation. Although Atticus presents a defense that gives a more plausible interpretation of the evidence—that Mayella was attacked by her father, Bob Ewell—Tom is convicted, and he is later killed while trying to escape custody. A character compares his death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds,” paralleling Atticus’s saying about the mockingbird.

The children, meanwhile, play out their own miniaturized drama of prejudice and superstition as they become interested in Arthur (“Boo”) Radley , a reclusive neighbour who is a local legend . They have their own ideas about him and cannot resist the allure of trespassing on the Radley property. Their speculations thrive on the dehumanization perpetuated by their elders. Atticus, however, reprimands them and tries to encourage a more sensitive attitude. Boo makes his presence felt indirectly through a series of benevolent acts, finally intervening when Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout. Boo kills Ewell, but Heck Tate, the sheriff, believes it is better to say that Ewell’s death occurred when he fell on his own knife, sparing the shy Boo from unwanted attention. Scout agrees, noting that to do otherwise would be “sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird.”

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Introduction, the role of kindness in to kill a mockingbird, internal conflict in to kill a mockingbird, works cited.

  • Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006

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essay topics on to kill a mockingbird

Illustration of a bird perched on a scale of justice

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Introduction

To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

(Born Nelle Harper Lee) American novelist.

The following entry provides criticism on Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. See also Harper Lee Contemporary Literary Criticism.

Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird has remained enormously popular since its publication in 1960. Recalling her experiences as a six-year-old from an adult perspective, Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed “Scout,” describes the circumstances involving her widowed father, Atticus, and his legal defense of Tom Robinson, a local black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. In the three years surrounding the trial, Scout and her older brother, Jem, witness the unjust consequences of prejudice and hate while at the same time witnessing the values of courage and integrity through their father's example. Lee's first and only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird was published during the Civil Rights movement, and was hailed as an exposé of Southern racist society. The heroic character of Atticus Finch has been held up as a role model of moral virtue and impeccable character for lawyers to emulate. To Kill a Mockingbird has endured as a mainstay on high school and college reading lists. It was adapted to film in 1962 as a major motion picture starring Gregory Peck.

Plot and Major Characters

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the small, rural town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s. The character of Atticus Finch, Scout's father, was based on Lee's own father, a liberal Alabama lawyer and statesman who frequently defended African Americans within the racially prejudiced Southern legal system. Scout and her brother Jem are raised by their father and by Calpurnia, an African-American housekeeper who works for the family. Scout and Jem meet and befriend seven-year-old Dill Harris, a boy who has arrived in Maycomb to stay with his aunt for the summer. Lee has stated that the character of Dill is based on young Truman Capote, a well-known Southern writer and childhood friend. Together with Dill, Scout and Jem make a game of observing “Boo” Radley, a town recluse who has remained inside his house for fifteen years, trying to provoke him to come outside. Local myth holds that Boo eats live squirrels and prowls the streets at night, and the children's perception of him is colored by such tales. In the fall, Dill returns to his family in the North and Scout enters the first grade. Scout and Jem begin to discover mysterious objects, designed to intrigue children, hidden in a tree on the Radley property.

When Tom Robinson, an African-American man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Atticus is appointed as the defense attorney. Mayella and her shiftless father, Bob Ewell, live in abject poverty on the outskirts of town. The family is known as trouble and disliked by townspeople. Despite this, Atticus's defense of Tom is unpopular in the white community, and Scout and Jem find themselves taunted at school due to their father's defense of a Black man. Atticus consistently strives to instill moral values in his children, and hopes to counteract the influence of racial prejudice. The children view their father as frustratingly staid and bookish, until he is asked by the sheriff to shoot a rabid dog that is roaming the street. After Atticus kills the dog, Scout and Jem learn that their father is renowned as a deadly marksman in Maycomb County, but that he chooses not to use this skill, unless absolutely necessary. Scout's aunt, Alexandra, unexpectedly arrives to reside with the Finch family, announcing it is time someone reined in the children. She makes it her mission to counteract Atticus's liberal influence on the children and to instill ladylike virtues in the tomboyish Scout. The night before the trial of Tom Robinson is to begin, a group of local men threaten a lynching, but Scout inadvertently disrupts their plan when she recognizes the father of a schoolmate in the crowd of would-be lynchers. When the trial begins, Atticus tries to protect his children from the anger and prejudice they would hear; however, Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak into the courtroom and sit in the balcony with the Black community. Mayella and her father testify that Tom raped Mayella after he was asked onto their property to break up an old chifforobe into firewood. Atticus, however, proves Tom's innocence by demonstrating that while Mayella's face was beaten and bruised on her right side, Tom's left arm had been rendered completely useless by an earlier injury. Therefore, Atticus concludes, Tom could not possibly be the left-handed assailant who struck Mayella on the right side of her face. Atticus further suggests that it was Bob, Mayella's father, who beat her, and that, in fact, no rape occurred. Before the jury departs to deliberate, Atticus appeals to their sense of justice, imploring them not to allow racial prejudice to interfere with their deliberations. However, after two hours, the jury returns with a guilty verdict, sentencing Tom to be executed for rape. Later, Tom is shot to death during an attempt to escape from jail. The following fall, Bob Ewell, incensed by Atticus's treatment of him during the trial, attacks Scout and Jem with a knife as they are walking home from a school Halloween pageant. Boo Radley, secretly observing the scene, intervenes in the scuffle, and Bob Ewell is stabbed and killed in the process. Called to the scene, the Sheriff and Atticus agree to not report Boo's involvement to the police, because a trial against him would likely be prejudiced. Intimately aware of issues of prejudice due to the Tom Robinson case, Atticus and the children agree to report that Ewell fell on his knife in the scuffle, sparing Boo the consequences of a legal trial. Scout realizes in retrospect that Boo has never been the threatening figure the children had imagined, and that he was responsible for leaving the mysterious gifts for them to find on his property. After walking Boo home, Scout stands on the porch of his house looking out, finally seeing the world through a wider perspective.

Major Themes

The central thematic concern of To Kill a Mockingbird addresses racial prejudice and social justice. Atticus Finch represents a strongly principled, liberal perspective that runs contrary to the ignorance and prejudice of the white, Southern, small-town community in which he lives. Atticus is convinced that he must instill values of equality in his children, counteracting the racist influence. Lee makes use of several images and allegories throughout the novel to symbolize racial conflict. The children's attitudes about Boo, for example, represent in small scale the foundation of racial prejudice in fear and superstition. The rabid dog that threatens the town has been interpreted as symbolizing the menace of racism. Atticus's shooting of the rabid dog has been considered by many critics as a representation of his skills as an attorney in targeting the racial prejudices of the town. The central symbol of the novel, the mockingbird, further develops the theme of racial prejudice. For Christmas, Scout and Jem are given air rifles by their father, who warns that, although he considers it fair to shoot other birds, he views it a “sin to kill a mockingbird” because they “don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.” The mockingbird represents victims of oppression in general, and the African-American community more specifically. The unjust trial of Tom Robinson, in which the jury's racial prejudice condemns an innocent man, is symbolically characterized as the shooting of an innocent mockingbird. Toward the end of the novel, Scout realizes that submitting Boo to a trial would be akin to shooting a mockingbird—just as the prejudice against African Americans influences the trial of Tom Robinson, the town's prejudices against the white but mentally disabled Boo would likely impact a jury's view. The concept of justice is presented in To Kill a Mockingbird as an antidote to racial prejudice. As a strongly principled, liberal lawyer who defends a wrongly accused Black man, Atticus represents a role model for moral and legal justice. Atticus explains to Scout that while he believes the American justice system to be without prejudice, the individuals who sit on the jury often harbor bias, which can taint the workings of the system. Throughout the majority of the novel, Atticus retains his faith in the system, but he ultimately loses in his legal defense of Tom. As a result of this experience, Atticus expresses a certain disillusionment when, at the conclusion of the book, he agrees to conceal Boo's culpability in the killing of Ewell, recognizing that Boo would be stereotyped by his peers. Atticus decides to act based on his own principles of justice in the end, rather than rely on a legal system that may be fallible.

To Kill a Mockingbird also can be read as a coming-of-age story featuring a young girl growing up in the South and experiencing moral awakenings. Narrated from Scout's point-of-view, the novel demonstrates the now-adult narrator's hindsight perspective on the growth of her identity and outlook on life. In developing a more mature sensibility, the tomboyish Scout challenges the forces attempting to socialize her into a prescribed gender role as a Southern lady. Aunt Alexandra tries to subtly and not-so subtly push Scout into a traditional gender role—a role that often runs counter to her father's values and her own natural inclinations. However, as events around the trial become ugly, Scout realizes the value of some of the traditions Alexandra is trying to show her and decides she, too, can be a “lady.” To Kill a Mockingbird explores themes of heroism and the idea of role models as well. Lee has stated that the novel was essentially a long love letter to her father, whom she idolized as a man with deeply held moral convictions. Atticus is clearly the hero of the novel, and functions as a role model for his children. Early in the story, the children regard their father as weak and ineffective because he does not conform to several conventional standards of Southern masculinity. They eventually realize that Atticus possesses not only skill with a rifle, but also moral courage, intelligence, and humor, and they come to regard him as a hero in his own right.

Critical Reception

Since its publication, To Kill a Mockingbird has been enormously popular with the reading public, has sold millions of copies, and has never gone out of print. The initial critical response to Lee's novel was mixed. Many reviewers lauded the book as a poignant and insightful exposé of racism in the South, and a powerful rendering of modern heroism. Others, however, found fault with Lee's use of narrative voice, asserting that she fails to effectively integrate the voice of the adult Scout with the childish perspective of the young girl who narrates much of the novel. Critical reception of the book has primarily centered around its messages concerning issues of race and justice. Joseph Crespino observed, “In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism.” Proponents of the novel have championed its usefulness as a teaching tool in high school and college curricula for examining issues of racism and justice. Atticus has been held up by law professors and others as an ideal role model of sound moral character and strong ethical principles. As Steven Lubet remarked, “No real-life lawyer has done more for the self-image or public perception of the legal profession than the hero of Harper's Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. For nearly four decades, the name of Atticus Finch has been invoked to defend and inspire lawyers, to rebut lawyer jokes, and to justify (and fine-tune) the adversary system.” Since the 1960s, as the discourse around race and justice in America has become more complex and multi-faceted, To Kill a Mockingbird has come under strong criticism for the fundamental values it puts forth. The novel has been criticized for promoting a white paternalistic attitude toward the African-American community. Such critics hold that the novel's central image of the mockingbird as a symbol for African Americans ultimately represents the African-American community as a passive body in need of a heroic white male to rescue them from racial prejudice. Isaac Saney remarked, “Perhaps the most egregious characteristic of the novel is the denial of the historical agency of Black people. They are robbed of their roles as subjects of history, reduced to mere objects who are passive hapless victims; mere spectators and bystanders in the struggle against their own oppression and exploitation. … The novel and its supporters deny that Black people have been the central actors in their movement for liberation and justice.” The status of Atticus Finch as a role model for lawyers has also come under attack in recent years. These critics have scrutinized Atticus from the perspective of legal ethics and moral philosophy, and analyzed his characters' underlying values in relation to race, class, and gender. As Monroe Freedman argued, “Finch never attempts to change the racism and sexism that permeates the life of Maycomb […] On the contrary, he lives his own life as the passive participant in that pervasive injustice. And that is not my idea of a role model for young lawyers.” Yet the character of Atticus continues to have avid defenders. Ann Althouse asserted, “For those entering the legal profession, who commonly worry that they will lose themselves in an overbearing and tainted alien culture, Atticus is a model of integrity.” Althouse concluded, “Atticus Finch is an example: a man who has found a way to live and work as a good person in a deeply flawed society.”

Cite this page as follows:

"To Kill a Mockingbird - Introduction." Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Tom Burns and Jeffrey W. Hunter, Vol. 194. Gale Cengage, 2005, 7 Aug. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/criticism/introduction>

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Should To Kill A Mockingbird Be Taught In Schools

Joe Mangiafico Erami Period 6 6/3/24 To Kill a Mockingbird Should Be Taught To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be continued to be taught in schools. Some teachers have chosen to stop teaching To Kill a Mockingbird for the messages about race and the outdated lessons (Fink), and that the story is a classic case of a white savior coming in to save a black man (Lauralee). While some of their opinions may be partially right when looking at the story from a surface level, as you dive deeper and start to look for more meaning in the story, you find valuable lessons within the text. The book is a way for students to learn about Southern America in the 1930s, and teaches the students' life lessons within the book. The setting of the book takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930s. Back then, …show more content…

Another example of racism modeled well in the book is the court case. They found Tom Robinson guilty, despite the evidence being clear about why he was innocent. This is similar to real-life events that happened, such as the Scottsboro Boys, who were wrongfully convicted of rape for around 15 years, until they were found not guilty. According to one teacher, the historical context of the book introduces teenagers to problems of the past, and also lets them connect parts of the story to problems today (Shannon). While racism may not be as harsh as it once was, it still happens every day, and the book shows it in a way that it still connects to today. Besides the topic of racism, the book also teaches students life lessons that can be applied in real life. Atticus’s definition of courage says that, “when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway.” Atticus shows courage during the trial and the case as a whole. Most lawyers would not have taken Tom Robinson’s case to begin with, since it went against the town’s general view, and they would not want to receive

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    This best-selling novel is a story about the lives of an American family, the Finches, and the problems that they encounter. It is written in the narrative voice of Jean Louise Finch, or more commonly referred to by her nickname, Scout. The book, To Kill A Mockingbird, 1960 bestseller and award-winning book written by award winning author ...

  19. To Kill A Mockingbird Themes

    In the book entitled To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of the life of siblings, Jem and Scout, who grew up in the depths of the Great Depression. Their father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer at the time facing a challenging case that brings him to the realization that he needs to find the balance between what is best for his family ...

  20. To Kill A Mockingbird

    The book to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee makes you ponder this question. It is the experiences of a girl named Scout chronicling her life between the ages of 6 and 9 in Maycomb Alabama with her family. The book is set in the early 1930's. Scout's experiences with her brother Jem, her father the town lawyer Atticus Finch, her aunt ...

  21. To Kill a Mockingbird Essays and Criticism

    PDF Cite Share. Most critics characterize Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird as a novel of initiation and an indictment of racism. The novel's point of view, in particular, lends credence to these ...

  22. To Kill a Mockingbird: Conflict Resolution Lessons

    In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem changes the way he looks at someone's character due to the incident with Mrs. Dubose. This highlights the novel's exploration of the transformative power of kindness in the face of To Kill a Mockingbird conflict. There are many ways that Lee portrays the role of kindness in her novel, most of them are ...

  23. To Kill A Mockingbird Ethos Analysis

    To kill a mockingbird overall theme is the battle between good and evil. On page 177 atticus explains that to jem that he was not one from poverty and that he and his sister were from generation of gentle breeding. Atticus says this to bring an overall understanding to the children. On several occasions scout got into fights with the kids at ...

  24. Harper Lee Analysis: To Kill a Mockingbird

    Analysis: To Kill a Mockingbird. Although Harper Lee set her novel in a very isolated locale, which she calls Maycomb, in an era when her notion of crossing racial and social boundaries does not ...

  25. To Kill A Mockingbird Social Class Research Paper

    To Kill A Mockingbird Social Class Research Paper. 867 Words 4 Pages. From the quiet streets of Maycomb County to the mythical realms of Yggdrasil, social class creates an extremely complex and powerful dynamic. An important role within a community is how social class plays a role in a community. Social class is an important factor in ...

  26. To Kill a Mockingbird Introduction

    To Kill a Mockingbird also can be read as a coming-of-age story featuring a young girl growing up in the South and experiencing moral awakenings. Narrated from Scout's point-of-view, the novel ...

  27. To Kill A Mockingbird: Comparing Literature And Film

    In the movie To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan; they tended to change and cut very important scenes. The movie took away great characters that made the book better. The book might of had many unneeded parts, but those scenes expressed the characters. Director Robert Mulligan and screenwriter Horton Foote did a terrible job ...

  28. Should To Kill A Mockingbird Be Taught In Schools

    Joe Mangiafico Erami Period 6 6/3/24 To Kill a Mockingbird Should Be Taught To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be continued to be taught in schools. Some teachers have chosen to stop teaching To Kill a Mockingbird for the messages about race and the outdated lessons (Fink), and that the story is a classic case of a white savior coming ...