From To Kill a Mockingbird

In a Critical Analysis of Theme Essay, you must prove how a theme is displayed throughout a novel, using specific examples from the text.

To do this, you will use embedded quotations, which are exact lines from a written document.

In your case, the written document is To Kill a Mockingbird.

You may choose ONE of the following 6 themes:

 Prejudice and Tolerance  Courage and Cowardice  Morality and Ethics  Loss of Innocence  Justice  Parents and Children/Role of Family  Compassion and Forgiveness

For this example, I’m going to use a theme that’s not an option: Poverty.

In my essay, I will prove how poverty is present throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by using specific examples and direct quotations from the book.

Please notice that the above is NOT an example of a good thesis.

Before writing my thesis, I need to get my thoughts together about my topic. I’ll quickly write a loose outline:

1.  Intro, ending in thesis statement. 2.  Poverty is displayed in respectable, poor,

white farmers. 3.  Poverty is displayed in unemployed “guests of

the county.” 4.  Poverty is displayed through black citizens in

Maycomb. 5.  Conclusion about how the theme of poverty is

present throughout To Kill a Mockingbird.

The theme of poverty is displayed throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by many types of people: white rural farmers, unemployed white citizens, and the black population of Maycomb County.

Choose short, concise quotes that can be explained in depth.

Ask yourself, "How does this quote demonstrate _____________ (your theme)?”

* If you can't answer this question, choose another quote!

 End each quotation with the author’s last name and page number (Lee 29).

 The period goes AFTER the parenthesis because the quotation isn’t finished without the citation.

 Introduce and/or conclude EVERY quotation with your own words.

 Include only the most important part of the quotation so you don’t waste time writing unnecessary words.

 Use “Text” for Lee’s descriptions  Use “‘Text’” for character’s words.

 Wrong: Mrs. Maudie explains That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mocking bird.   Correct: Mrs. Maudie explains, “‘That’s why it’s

a sin to kill a mocking bird’” (Lee 98).

 Wrong: Scout reflects Mayella Ewell must have been the loneliest person in the world, something she had not considered before.   Correct: Scout reflects, “Mayella Ewell must

have been the loneliest person in the world,” something she had not considered before (Lee 256).

Notice there are a couple of ways to embed or “set up” quotations.

1. Text, “Quotation” (Last Name #). Ex: Scout could sense the level of respect the black community had for her father when Rev. Sykes said, “‘Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’” (Lee 211).

2. Text, “Quotation,” more text (Last Name #). When Tom stood up, “His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side,” and it was obvious that he couldn’t have been the one who attacked Mayella (Lee 186).

3. “Quotation,” text (Last Name #). “’Atticus doesn’t drink whiskey,’” Scout proclaimed as she attempted to have an adult conversation with Miss Maudie about foot-washin’ Baptists (Lee 45).

 Be certain to introduce WHO says the quote.  Example 1: He commented, “Tell them I’m

very grateful…tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard…” (Lee 213).

 Example 2: “Tell them I’m very grateful…tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard…” Atticus commented (Lee 213).

 Avoid overusing the word SAID:   Explained   Asked   Begged   Related   Exclaimed   Protested   Reflected

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee displays poverty in respectable, poor, white farmers. One family included in this group is the Cunninghams. Atticus explains to Scout, “the Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them the hardest…acres not entitled were mortgaged to the hilt, and the little cash he made went to interest” (Lee 21). The author shows how the Cunninghams try hard, but are only able to earn just enough money to survive. Even the children of these hardworking people suffer. Near the beginning of the novel Scout defines her friend Walter’s situation by thinking, “He didn’t forget his lunch, he didn’t have any. He had none today nor would he have any tomorrow or the next day. He had probably never seen three quarters together in his life” (Lee 20). Harper Lee clearly has the utmost respect for this class of people in the novel. Because of the Great Depression, an entire class of hardworking people has very little money, which leads to great debts and extreme financial burden.

The opposite of respectable low-income white people, unemployed “guests of the county” also live in poverty. They live in poverty by choice, as they never make any attempt to find employment. Scout explains, “No economic fluctuations changed their status – people like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths of the depression” (Lee 170). Most wealthy citizens feel compassion for low income citizens like the Cunninghams, but their compassion for people like the Ewells is inconsistent. The townspeople provide these “guests of the county” with pity and handouts at holidays, but do not offer the consistent help they obviously need. Atticus recognizes that people feel more sympathy towards the children on the Ewell property than for Mr. Ewell himself. He tells Scout, “when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains” (Lee 31). The Ewell house and children are so filthy that they were described as living like animals, showing the author’s belief that people who do not try to help themselves are not better than animals.

Another group who lives in poverty are the black citizens of Maycomb. Scout and Jem first notice the economic situation of the black community when they visit the First Purchase Church. The church is “unceilied and unpainted within. Along its walls unlighted kerosene lamps hung on brass brackets; pine benches served as pews…there was no sign of piano, organ, hymnbooks, (or) church programs…” (Lee 120). This is just one time Scout and Jem notice the economic differences. They also notice the impoverished living conditions of the black people when they drive by the “negro cabins” near the dump. Atticus also acknowledges the extremity of the situation when he starts crying upon receiving so much food after the trial. He comments, “Tell them I’m very grateful…tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard…” (Lee 213). The Depression caused economic stress on all families in Maycomb County, regardless of race. It seems to be one’s efforts to work hard that make the difference in this novel. Harper Lee shows her great respect for these hardworking black citizens through her descriptions of their efforts in the face of extremely difficult situations.

 Briefly summarize.

 Explain why the author included this theme.

 What does she want the reader to understand or do after reading this?

 How does this theme relate to our real lives today?