Extract from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird

 

The interpretation of the extract from the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”. The extract is taken from the novel by Nelly Harper Lee. She is an American novelist known for her 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which deals with the issues of racism that she observed as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. 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. Her novel is devoted to story of Tom Robinson, a Negro, who was charged with raping a white girl. Atticus Finch, an experienced lawyer, tried to prove the innocence of the Robison. But the jury announced a sentence that Robinson was guilty. Harper Lee places the action into that period, 60 years after slavery prohibition. In this historical period many public freedoms and human rights were proclaimed, but not executed. Publicity still couldn’t bear, that the black were considered equal by courts. The main problems raised by the author are an issue of justice and race of discrimination. The author leads us to comprehension that each and every human should be treated honestly, independently of his social status, education or color of skin. It is a narrative with parts of monologue. The narrative is in the first person. It is a daughter of Atticus. It made the story more emotional. She noticed a lot of details which were unusual for Atticus in his usually life. (Atticus did something I never saw him do before or since, in public or in private: he unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat. He never loosened a scrap of his clothing until he undressed at bedtime, and to Jem and me, this was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked). Her notes described the emotions and feelings of her father, his changing condition during the process of the trial. Thanks to notes of Atticus’ daughter the general tone of the extract is emotion with elements of ironic. I think that if the story were written from the point of view of Atticus or the author, the story would lose its objectivity, emotionality. The author focuses the Atticus’s speech in direct form. Atticus's words have more effect on the reader in this form. It creates atmosphere of the court in reader's room. We may say that the general atmosphere of this extract is tense. The author keeps the reader in suspense till the end. In this place Harper Lee used gradation, perhaps in order to all our emotions strained to the limit. The readers think that the Negro is innocent. But the author uses the effect of defeated expectancy. In my opinion, the climax in this text is the verdict of the jury. Every “guilty” from jury destroys reader’s hope for justice. Looking back in the past, the author wished to convey that all men are created equal. In this extract Atticus said that people think with stereotypes. All Negroes lie, all Negroes are basically immoral beings, all Negro men are not to be trusted around the woman. But we see that the reality can be the exact opposite of it. The author used parallel constructions to emphasize how people can be wrong, when they generalize people with one color skin. The author used the publicistic style. The publicistic style is used in public speeches and printed public works which are addressed to a broad audience and devoted to important social or political events, public problems of cultural or moral character. The general aim of the publicist style is to exert influence on public opinion, to convince the reader or the listener that the interpretation given by the writer or the speaker is the only correct one and to cause him to accept the point of view expressed in the speech, essay or article not merely by logical argumentation, but by emotional appeal as well. The publicist style has spoken varieties, in particular, the oratorical sub-style. This style is evident in the speeches of counsel and judges in courts of law. The typical features of the spoken variety of speech present in this extract are direct address to the audience ( Gentlemen! ) and features of colloquial style such as asking the audience questions when the barrister attempts to reach closer contact. The author uses colloquial words and phrase such as Negro, stupid and evil, In the name of God. The author uses several stylistic devices. We may see how skillfully Harper Lee creates the speech of Atticus. So the text has a lot of repetitions (some people would have us believe – some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity, some people make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others – some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men.). Repetitions and parallel constructions make the speech of the lawyer more persuasive and clearer for the jury. The stylistic devices are determined by the conditions of communication. Atticus assures the jury with the help of gradation and antithesis that the case is simple (…this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. This case should never have come to trial). The author uses chiasmus and change the sequence of elements in two parallel lines of words. The author thereby draws the reader's attention to the pressing problem. (A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as sound as the men who make it up). This phrase appears as instruction to the jury. They can change not only the fate of one man, but the whole court system. The author combines several stylistic devices. He sums it up using simile with allusion (this case is as simple as black and white). Atticus says about the absurdity of the case by repetition with antithesis “She tempted a Negro. She was white, and she tempted a Negro”. The epithets and similes were used to description the author’s attitude. Epithets convey his emotions. (Judge tailor’s voice … was tiny). It can express the doubt of the judge. The author used syntactical parallelism which accompanied by anaphora (some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity, some man make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others – some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men). And in the end we may say that the story with Tom Robinson gives us ground for thinking. Harper Lee exposes hypocrisy of democratic society in this historical period. The idea of the fight between justice and injustice in this world it is a well-trodden idea. But sometimes it is important for people anew read about this problem. We should to see injustice in order to know, how valuable justice is.

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Your interpretation of the extract from "To Kill a Mockingbird" provides a comprehensive analysis of the novel's themes, narrative style, and the author's use of various literary devices. Here’s a summary and further exploration of some key points from your analysis:

Summary of Key Themes and Analysis

1. Racism and Justice: The central theme of the novel revolves around racism and the quest for justice. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, Harper Lee illustrates the deep-seated racial prejudices that persist in society, even after the abolition of slavery. The character of Atticus Finch embodies moral integrity as he defends Robinson, highlighting the struggle against systemic injustice.

2. Narrative Perspective: The choice of Scout Finch, Atticus's daughter, as the narrator adds emotional depth and innocence to the story. Her observations provide a unique lens through which the reader experiences the events, emphasizing the contrast between childhood innocence and the harsh realities of prejudice and injustice.

3. Emotional Tone and Irony: The emotional tone of the extract is heightened by Scout's perspective, capturing her father's vulnerability during the trial. The irony of the situation is palpable, as Atticus, a figure of moral authority, faces a biased jury that cannot see beyond their prejudices.

4. Atticus’s Rhetoric: Atticus Finch’s speeches are pivotal in conveying the novel’s themes. The use of direct address, repetition, and rhetorical questions engages the jury (and the reader), emphasizing the absurdity of racial stereotypes. His arguments are crafted to challenge the jury's preconceived notions, making them confront their biases.

5. Stylistic Devices: Harper Lee employs various stylistic devices to enhance the impact of Atticus's speech. The use of repetition and parallel structures serves to reinforce key points, while antithesis highlights the contradictions in societal beliefs about race. The use of similes and epithets adds emotional weight to the narrative, drawing attention to the complexities of the characters’ experiences.

6. Social Commentary: The novel serves as a critique of the social and judicial systems of the time, exposing the hypocrisy of a society that professes equality while perpetuating discrimination. Atticus's assertion that "a court is only as sound as its jury" underscores the idea that justice is contingent upon the moral integrity of individuals within the system.

7. Climax and Defeat of Hope: The verdict of "guilty" serves as a climax that shatters the hope for justice, illustrating the harsh reality of racial injustice. This moment is a poignant reminder of the societal failures that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about race and justice.

Conclusion

Your analysis effectively captures the essence of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," emphasizing its enduring relevance in discussions about race, justice, and morality. The novel challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the societal structures that influence perceptions of justice. By revisiting these themes, Lee encourages a critical examination of the past and its implications for the present and future. The emotional weight of the narrative, combined with its incisive social commentary, makes "To Kill a Mockingbird" a powerful exploration of the human condition and the ongoing struggle for equality.

n Atticus Finch's speech in To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee employs several stylistic devices to enhance the emotional and persuasive power of his message. Key devices include:

1. Rhetorical Appeals: Atticus uses ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal ), and logos (logical reasoning) to strengthen his argument.

   • Ethos: He establishes his credibility by referencing respected figures like Thomas Jefferson, asserting that "all men are created equal," which reinforces his moral stance.

   • Pathos: Atticus evokes sympathy by portraying Tom Robinson as a "quiet, respectable, humble Negro," which humanizes him and encourages the jury to empathize with his plight.

   • Logos: He presents logical arguments, questioning the lack of medical evidence and emphasizing that the case should never have gone to trial, thereby appealing to the jury's sense of reason.

2. Repetition: The use of anaphora, or repetition of phrases, makes Atticus's key points more memorable. For instance, he repeats "all Negroes" to emphasize the unjust stereotypes that society holds.

3. Antithesis: Atticus contrasts the innocence of Tom Robinson with the prejudiced views of the townspeople, highlighting the moral contradictions in their beliefs. This device effectively challenges the jury's biases and encourages them to reconsider their preconceived notions.

4. Imagery and Diction: Vivid language and carefully chosen words create strong images in the minds of the jury and readers, making the emotional weight of the argument more palpable.

5. Irony: Atticus employs irony to expose the absurdity of racial prejudice, such as when he points out that a black man feeling sorry for a white woman is seen as an insult rather than a human emotion.

Through these devices, Harper Lee not only enriches the narrative but also deepens the reader's understanding of the themes of racial injustice and moral integrity, making Atticus's speech a powerful moment in the novel.