To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Classic

Words: 1487
Pages: 6
Open Document
To Kill a Mockingbird, a Literary Essay

Many people, when they think of a classic piece of literature, they think of famous works from people like Shakespeare or Arthur Conan Doyle, works that almost everyone knows about or has read. A more recent example of a well-known writer that has written a classic would be Harper Lee. She has in fact written one of the most famous books of the 20th century, To Kill A Mockingbird, which is now a staple in many English classrooms around the world. Its rise to success is because of how it gave perspective to one of the most turbulent times in American history, and highlighted controversial issues such as racism that were prevalent during the time period. To Kill a Mockingbird is a literary classic because …show more content…
What this means is that a work of literary merit would include vivid descriptions and make you feel like you are a part of the story, like you were side by side with the characters themselves. When Mrs. Dubose died, Jem had actually found out she used to be a slave and asked Atticus how she died: “Did she die free?’ asked Jem. ‘As the mountain air.’ said Atticus.” (Lee 198). What this means is that Mrs. Dubose, instead of having to die a slave, was able to die a free woman. And it is the way that Atticus uses imagery when he tells Jem how she died that really makes it a powerful statement, making that part of the story memorable and vivid, even though it is not necessarily one of the highlights of the plot. While powerful statements are, well, powerful, imagery can be just as hard hitting if used properly. For example, when Scout was sneaking into Boo Radley’s yard, her life is thrown into jeopardy when she trips and Nathan Radley brings out his shotgun: “... as I tripped the roar of a shotgun shattered the neighborhood.” (71). This part of the story is so sudden it gives you quite a shock. Up until then the story had been pretty mellow, with the worst thing to happen to them so far was getting yelled at by an adult. But this time, our protagonists could be quite possibly killed. And the way it is described, how it roars and how it shatters the neighborhood, really drives home the point that this is something that you need to pay attention to. With interesting wording and a captivating story, Harper Lee creates an interesting and believable world that makes us want to learn more, which most importantly means we want to keep
Show More

Related Documents: To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Classic

Essay about To Kill A Mockingbird and Movie

"To Kill a Mockingbird" In the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", directed by Robert Mulligan, focuses on a lawyer named Atticus Finch, who is a very honest and greatly respected man. This man named Tom Robinson was a black man accused of rape. Atticus Finch puts his lawyer career on the line when he says he is going to defend Tom Robinson. This movie is told through the eyes of Atticus' six-year-old daughter, Scout. Scout and her older brother, Jem become best friends and grow their brotherly and…

Words 548 - Pages 3

To Kill A Mockingbird Comparison Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee that was published in 1960. It immediately became a successful book that won many prizes and is now a classic of American literature. The novel takes place in Alabama during the Great Depression and is narrated by a 6-year-old girl named Scout Finch that lives with her 10-year-old brother Jem, her father Atticus and their black housekeeper Calpurnia. In 1962 To Kill a Mockingbird was into a movie directed by Robert Mulligan. Although the main character…

Words 955 - Pages 4

how to kill a mocking bird Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author's observations of her family and neighbors, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old. The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. The narrator's…

Words 396 - Pages 2

To Kill a Mocking Bird Essay

To kill a mocking bird Published: July 11, 1960 Author: Harper Lee Original language: English Genre: Fiction Characters: Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Mayella Violet Ewell, Maudie Atkinson, Jem Finch, Scout Finch Adaptations: To kill a mockingbird, To Kill a Mockingbird, To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters…

Words 444 - Pages 2

Essay about to kill a mockingbird 3 min speech

To kill a mockingbird which was set during 1933-1935 in a small American town in South Alabama, called Maycomb. This era was a harsh time of racial tensions and poverty. Harper Lee explores many ideas and issues within this social, historical and political context. Lee uses many literary techniques to convey the issues of racism, inequality, class and prejudice are explored throughout the novel. Through going on a journey with Jem and Scout we become more aware than ever of the sufferings people…

Words 854 - Pages 4

On How to Kill A Mockingbird Essay

On How To Kill A Mockingbird Destyne Ford ENG 225: Introduction to Film Instructor Christine Hilger 9/14/14 To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most well-known films and books of the century. Labeled as a courtroom drama for viewers, it is much more than just that and many people can relate to the film’s societal problems. I believe that it is a must-watch for everyone. This film could give anyone with a soul a good look at the harm that jumping to conclusions about someone…

Words 1808 - Pages 8

Racial Intolerance In 'Black Man And Public Space'

different than others. Some people grow up being taught that the color of someone's skin really portrays a vast amount of information about their personality, intentions, etc. In the literary stories, “Black Man and Public Space”, by Brent Staples (page 410), “Home Training,” by Bruce A. Jacobs (page 55), and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, racial intolerance is a main theme. Each character is brought up by a different definition of skin color. To some it doesn't matter,…

Words 772 - Pages 4

To Kill A Mockingbird Book Vs Movie Analysis

variations between the two. We see this in the two renditions of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. The original handheld, thought provoking option of a book, leaves you with the choice of creating a picture in your head: casting your own actors and setting your own scenes. This could lead to a different portrayal of the book, then someone else's, providing a beautiful, majestic, getaway for your mind. With each great literary source, one might find themselves getting trapped beyond the pages.…

Words 1262 - Pages 6

Divine Nobility In Beowulf

As one looks back in time, novels have opened minds of many people. It causes people to travel to a place beyond the physical world, where every word imprisons them in suspense and urges them to read on. When one takes the journey to this dream world, in their mind, they often replace themselves with the Hero's position. Why is this? As humans we all want one thing or another in this life, yet it all boils down to greatness. Now what does greatness mean, it is simply the quality of being great. Oxford…

Words 704 - Pages 3

How Does Boo Radley Use Adversity In To Kill A Mockingbird

develops and nurtures this exact figure, Boo Radley, in her critically acclaimed novel To Kill A Mockingbird. In this classic coming-of-age story set in 1930s Alabama, main character Scout Finch is faced with the shift from childhood innocence through several life altering events. Through her triumph, Boo Radley serves as a reoccurring interest. He can be considered the most influential symbol in the literary piece because of his underlying yet powerful connection to the characters and to core themes…

Words 1006 - Pages 5