TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD

Childhood in “To Kill a Mocking Bird”



Childhood in “To Kill a Mocking Bird”

Introduction

It is one of the famous books written by Harper Lee. This story clearly reflects the social and racial prejudices during nineteenth and twentieth century America. It deals with children living in Alabama with their father. The main focus of this is story is to highlight all these social injustices with the perspectives of children and how children see the world (Wilson, 2005, p. 30-31). Another important perspective is that, how these pure and innocent childhood thoughts end with the end of childhood. Only there are a few people who can preserve these pure thoughts without any prejudice. Atticus Finch is one of such character in the story that stands against racial discrimination and serves as a moral hero (Bausch, 2007, p.108). This book not only contains, moral and social messages for the children, but for adults. It is the book which guides children in growing into a responsible, loving and caring human being with love for the humanity irrespective of the social and racial prejudices (Wilson, 2005, p. 30-31).

To Kill a Mockingbird not forces people by telling them what they have to do and what not, but simply presents the innocence and childhood with the events and life of children, their interests, curiosities and purity which affects the readers. The theme of Childhood is the most effective in expressing these thoughts in a very natural perspective with depth and close relation to every individual because childhood adventures, purity and other events are almost common. This is the reason that this book is served as a course book in schools spreading the message of humanity and avoiding prejudice (Wilson, 2005, p. 30-31). The theme of Childhood is very dominant in The Mocking Bird, and this serves to express the process of development and the social and moral aspects with children's perspectives.

Thesis Statement

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores the theme of Childhood to express the children's perspectives for the social and racial prejudices.

Discussion

One of the most important elements of this novel is that it is written with the children's perspective. It was the time when most of the writers were writing on the same political and social issues (Wilson, 2005, p. 30-31). Harper Lee in her novel provides a new vision of looking at these perspectives. It was the time when, use of psychoanalytical approach was very common in writings. The representation of social and racial inequalities with the child's perspective is the most unusual way. It is also provided that, this novel is served as a moral guide to mould and assist the growth and development of children. There are not only childhood perspectives to fight against these social crises, but it also presents Atticus Finch as a role model (Bausch, 2007, p.108).

Excellent Representation of Childhood and Innocence

Childhood and innocence are very dominant in this novel. Major social, racial, gender and ethical issues were presented, wrapped in childhood ...