To Kill a Mockingbird
Manali Gantaram
Ms. Asuncion
English 9H
22 February 2016
To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is an enormously popular book about a
young girl growing up in a Southern American town in the 1930’s. This story is not only
engaging and interesting, but it also contains a variety of important lessons which are conveyed
to the reader through symbolism.
Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird, tells the story of
a six-year- old girl named Scout, her older brother Jem, and their father Atticus, a lawyer. The
story focuses on their day-to- day activities and adventures, giving us a glimpse of what life in the
south was like in the 1930’s.
To Kill a Mockingbird remains as one of the most popular American books not only for
its gripping storyline, but because of the moral lessons it teaches. The symbolic concept of
“killing a mockingbird” is recurring in this book. Atticus tells Scout and Jem “Remember it’s a
sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 90). It is explained that mockingbirds cause no harm as all they
do is make music for people to enjoy. A mockingbird represents someone who is innocent and
does only good for the community. In this book, two characters, Tom Robinson, and Boo
Radley, are seen as mockingbirds. They cause no harm, but are repeatedly accused of doing so.
Tom Robinson even gets killed later on – hence, “to kill a mockingbird.” This book encourages
us to understand other people’s points of view and not to hurt innocent people, the mockingbirds.
Gantaram 2
To Kill a Mockingbird has definitely connected with me in many ways. Firstly, when
Scout and Jem are very young, much like most others in town, they have a strong sense of fear of
Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a mysterious character who supposedly never came out of his house
and ate only squirrels and cats. I remember hearing (or telling) these kind of made up stories
when I was younger about a neighbor or a teacher us kids didn’t like very much. In the book,
Jem, Scout, and their friend named Dill, tease one another of believing in “Hot Steams”, or
ghosts. Scout explains “I would be accused of believing in Hot Steams, phenomena I was
immune to in the daytime” (Lee 36). This describes the younger version of me perfectly, as I
would not be afraid to tell ghost stories in the daytime, but by the time it was dark outside, I
would be too scared to even think about them.
Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird, is an interesting, thought-provoking book, that everyone
– old or young – should read. It teaches vital lessons while providing us with an entertaining
storyline.
Ms. Asuncion
English 9H
22 February 2016
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is an enormously popular book about a
young girl growing up in a Southern American town in the 1930’s. This story is not only
engaging and interesting, but it also contains a variety of important lessons which are conveyed
to the reader through symbolism.
Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird, tells the story of
a six-year- old girl named Scout, her older brother Jem, and their father Atticus, a lawyer. The
story focuses on their day-to- day activities and adventures, giving us a glimpse of what life in the
south was like in the 1930’s.
To Kill a Mockingbird remains as one of the most popular American books not only for
its gripping storyline, but because of the moral lessons it teaches. The symbolic concept of
“killing a mockingbird” is recurring in this book. Atticus tells Scout and Jem “Remember it’s a
sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 90). It is explained that mockingbirds cause no harm as all they
do is make music for people to enjoy. A mockingbird represents someone who is innocent and
does only good for the community. In this book, two characters, Tom Robinson, and Boo
Radley, are seen as mockingbirds. They cause no harm, but are repeatedly accused of doing so.
Tom Robinson even gets killed later on – hence, “to kill a mockingbird.” This book encourages
us to understand other people’s points of view and not to hurt innocent people, the mockingbirds.
Gantaram 2
To Kill a Mockingbird has definitely connected with me in many ways. Firstly, when
Scout and Jem are very young, much like most others in town, they have a strong sense of fear of
Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a mysterious character who supposedly never came out of his house
and ate only squirrels and cats. I remember hearing (or telling) these kind of made up stories
when I was younger about a neighbor or a teacher us kids didn’t like very much. In the book,
Jem, Scout, and their friend named Dill, tease one another of believing in “Hot Steams”, or
ghosts. Scout explains “I would be accused of believing in Hot Steams, phenomena I was
immune to in the daytime” (Lee 36). This describes the younger version of me perfectly, as I
would not be afraid to tell ghost stories in the daytime, but by the time it was dark outside, I
would be too scared to even think about them.
Overall, To Kill a Mockingbird, is an interesting, thought-provoking book, that everyone
– old or young – should read. It teaches vital lessons while providing us with an entertaining
storyline.
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