TKAM Post 6

To Kill A Mockingbird

5/25/2010

Choice C: So far, is this a novel about race? Class? Gender? Coming of Age? Place? Select and defend your answer.

I think there are 2 main themes in this novel so far. Coming of age and discrimination. I will elaborate on both, because some of these things may not be exactly what you're thinking of.
First, coming of age. This is for both Scout and Jem. In the beginning, Scout is a little, naive, innocent six year old girl, saying that the Cunningham's are trash, and not holding her tongue because she didn't. In the end, she is starting to understand racism and realizing that because Tom Robinson is black, he doesn't have a chance, even though it was blatantly obvious that he was innocent. Jem is becoming more mature and isn't wanting to play with Scout, he understands more than Scout, and reads into things more, sometimes more than Atticus would like. That is why he got so upset at the trial.

The next theme is discrimination. Obviously discrimination against Tom Robinson and all black people, but also against Boo Radley. Scout, Jem and Dill think of Boo as some horrible crazy person, but he is actually nice. Boo tries to mend Jem's pants, leaves presents in the tree, and even puts a blanket over Scout. Then the discrimination about Tom Robinson is obvious. No white person would rule against another white person in favor of a black person in that time, so Tom Robinson was at a loss. The jury was biased and there was no way he could win.