Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Key Themes and Adjectives

Themes in the Book

Prejudice

- Many people in Maycomb are racist and prejudice against black people
- Tom is accused of a crime because he is black even though it is obvious he is innocent, but by feeling sorry for Mayella the verdict is more likely
- Atticus is tolerant and believe in equality which he wants to pass onto his children
- Aunt Alexandra does not share this as she gets Calpurnia to take her luggage upstairs. During her missionary tea the ladies feel sorry for the tribe but condemn black people in her own community, which shows hypocrisy
- Dolphus Raymond pretend to be drunk to avoid questions about his relationship with a black woman
- Many people in the town are narrow minded about people who do not conform to their expectations.
- Boo Radley is gossiped about because he has not been seen outside his house

Family Life 

- The Finch family are described as something to aspire to, with Atticus as a role model, being fair and tolerant. He treats the children as equals and values their opinions. Atticus does not gossip and spends a lot of time with the children. He also treats Calpurnia as one of the family.
- Aunt Alexandra traces peoples heritage so does not judges a person on their ancestry. This way of thinking makes it difficult for people to break away from their family connections. It shows how the residents are narrow minded and prejudiced, which is passed on through the generations because know one leaves the town.
- The Ewell family are seen as white trash which refers to white people in Southern states who are very poor. This was originally used by black slaves but was later used by rich white people who saw them as inferior to them. The Ewell's live on handouts but this is spent on alcohol by Bob.
- Dill is well looked after but not wanted by his family when his mother remarries this is why he stays with his Aunt Rachael.
- Calpurnia's church work together and help Helen Robinson during Toms trial showing how the prejudices are untrue

Courage

Atticus 

- Atticus is courageous when he defends Tom at trial even when there will be backlash against his family and there is not much hope of winning
- He guards Toms cell against the lynchmob
- Throughout the story he stands up to racism and encourages his children to do so
- By shooting the dog when he hasn't shot in years although he does not want his children to think that shooting makes someone courageous

Miss Maudie

- refuses to be upset when her house is burnt down 

Boo Radley 

- is brave when he stops the children being harmed by Bob Ewell when this means leaving his house

Mrs Dubose 

- was addicted to morphine but wanted to become addiction free before she died even when there was no need 
- she did this privately so no one knew
- Atticus wanted the children to understand that being courageous can mean doing hard things that others do not understand or may criticise you for 

Adjectives to describe aspects of the book

Protection
Atticus is protective of Tom when he stands up for him against the lynchmob  at the jail and when he agrees to represent him. Boo also protects the children from Tom Ewell. 

Oppression
Black people are segregated in society and do not have the same rights or freedoms as white people, this is particularly visible in the film when in the courtroom. 

Unity
The children stand together against the lynchmob and look out for one another. Most of the white residents form a group against Tom and are unwilling to see that he is innocent despite the evidence. The black community come together and support Toms wife while the trail is going on. 

Kindness
This is reflected in Atticus when he stands up for Tom when other people would not. Boo is kind when he saves the children from Tom Ewell and also when he leaves objects for the children.

Intolerance / Prejudice 
This is shown by the white community when they do not consider the evidence that shows Tom to clearly not be guilty. The potential violence and segregation in the community  strongly shows the racial intolerance of the community and culture at the time.
   

Respect
The black community stand for Atticus in the courtroom in respect for what he did for Tom . The children respect Atticus and call him by his first name.

Innocence 
Tom was innocent of the crime. The children were innocent in terms of age but grew up to understand the injustices that were around them. Boos disability meant he  was childlike despite his age and seen as innocent to the reader.  

Courage
Tom was courageous when he stood against the lynch mob outside the jail. Boo was courageous in protecting the children against Bob Ewell.

Hardship
The Great Depression meant that many of the characters in the book were suffering from its effects. Tom Ewell was very poor and spent most of his money on alcohol meaning his family had little to live on. Mr Cunningham was repaying Atticus through food parcels because he did not have enough money. The black community had to collect money for Helen Robinson in order to keep her going while Tom was in jail.