How to kill a mockingbird

This paper will explore how Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird can be interpreted.

One way to look at To Kill a Mockingbird is as a story about the importance of moral education. The novel’s protagonist, Atticus Finch, goes out of his way to instill moral values in Scout and Jem's children. He teaches them the importance of always doing what is right, even when it is not easy. This is shown throughout the novel, but perhaps most clearly in Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson, a black man who has been falsely accused of rape. Even though he knows that Tom will almost certainly be found guilty, Atticus persists in defending him because he knows it is the right thing to do.

In this way, To Kill a Mockingbird can be seen as a call for people to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. In the novel, Atticus’s moral education of his children leads them to take a stand against racism in their town, even though it is not popular or easy. The novel suggests that everyone has the potential to make a difference in the world if they are willing to stand up for what is right.

Another way to interpret To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about empathy's importance. Throughout the novel, Atticus Finch constantly reminds Scout and Jem that they need to try and see things from other people’s perspectives. He tells them that it is important to understand why someone might act in a certain way, even if you do not agree with their actions. This is shown most clearly in Atticus’s relationship with his daughter Scout. Scout is always quick to judge others, but Atticus patiently helps her to see things from different points of view. By the end of the novel, Scout has learned to be more understanding and compassionate towards others.

In this way, To Kill a Mockingbird suggests that empathy is crucial in our relationships with others. The novel shows that if we can try to see things from other people’s perspectives, we can build bridges of understanding and communication. This is especially important in a world where there is so much division and hatred.