1

Important Themes in To Kill a Mockingbird

Student Name

University

Course

Professor Name

Date
 2

Outline

I. Introduction

II. Main Themes

A. Good vs. Evil

B. Racial Prejudice

C. Justice and Law

D. Knowledge and Education

III. Conclusion
 3

Important Themes in To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird seems, at first glance, to be a very simple, well-written moral

novel. However, looking closely a much more complex story could be found. Harper Lee

effectively incorporates many meaningful and important themes into To Kill a Mockingbird.

Although the book is written in the first person, Lee's brilliance comes through in the way she

strikes a balance between the reader's yearning for a thorough understanding of the events and

the first person narrator's constrained perspective. The book covers a wide range of topics and

illustrates a clear picture of the attitudes and behaviors of people in a typical Southern town in

the 1930s. The main issues covered by novel are clear and universal at the same time. This is the

reason why this book, with its powerful story, remains popular today, decades after it was first

published in 1960. Good and evil, racism, justice, law, knowledge, and education stand out as the

key themes in To Kill a Mockingbird.

To Kill a Mockingbird's examination of the moral nature of people — specifically,

whether or not human beings are fundamentally good or evil — is the book's most significant

theme. Sharmila (2020) argues that Atticus Finch is motivated by the conviction that while most

people do possess both good and bad traits, virtue will typically prevail in the end. However,

throughout the story, the character discovers for himself that evil does frequently win,

particularly when it stems from ignorance, discrimination, fear, and hatred of those who are

different. Shortly after the novel begins, Scout, Jem, and Dill initially share Scout's belief that

people are inherently good, but as they grow older, they also come to understand that kindness

and justice do not always prevail. Their maturation process parallels Atticus in many ways as he

learns that his cherished legal system is in some ways set up to be unfair (Ario Masai, 2022). As

a result, the subject of the conflict between good and evil penetrates the entire book, as Atticus
 4

accepts that some evil people have redeeming qualities.

In the novel, discussions on prejudice in general and racism, in particular, are central

themes. Some of the book's most gripping and unforgettable episodes are driven by conflicts

involving race. The focus of the book is a black person named Tom Robinson's trial for a crime

he did not commit in a racist area. Maycomb culture was fundamentally prejudiced; its residents'

words, thoughts, and behavior were all founded on the idea that white people are better than

black people. Racial discrimination is increasingly prevalent in Maycomb, from the frequent

usage of racial epithets like "nigger" to segregation in all public spaces (Johnson, 2018). The

Tom Robinson trial featured the most egregious example of explicit prejudice. The attitude of the

people of Maycomb toward a race they perceive to be much below them can be summed up by

what Atticus Finch refers to as "the evil assumption that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are

immoral beings" (Lee, 2020). Sharmila (2020) claims that Atticus represents morality and justice

whereas Bob Ewell stands for prejudice and hate. Atticus might find it offensive when white

people take advantage of black people's ignorance, but he understand the harsh reality that drives

society. Thus, the author thought it is important to illustrate the unjustified and cruel prejudicial

system, which destroys a person’s life.

The novel also demonstrates the crucial value of a legal system and the distinction

between law and justice. Laws are not always perfect, and occasionally abiding by the letter of

the law will not lead to justice. Following Johnson (2018), Tom Robinson's trial, therefore,

appears to be a criticism of the legal system, at least as it is practiced in Maycomb. Despite the

evidence pointing to Tom Robinson's innocence, the all-white jury uses its own biases to decide

the case's outcome rather than interpreting the evidence by the law (Johnson, 2018). Tom

Robinson's guilty judgment serves as an example of the law's limitations and prompts the reader
 5

to re-evaluate what is meant by "fair" in the phrase "a fair trial." Even Atticus is aware of the

shortcomings of the legal system: "The white guy always triumphs in our courts when the

testimony of a white man versus a black man" (Lee, 295). After all, humans create laws. They so

reflect societal standards, even when those norms are founded on prejudice and hatred. Hence,

laws are only occasionally applied in Maycomb, which contributes to the novel's central subject.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, education is a subject that is not just clear but also persuasive.

The book's fundamental message is that genuine knowledge is not always acquired through

traditional school education. The teachers at Scout's school appear more concerned with

fostering prejudice and ignorance than they are with imparting knowledge and encouraging

critical thinking in the students. While being encouraged to accept hatred and bigotry as the

norm, Scout is discouraged from reading independently or picking up new skills at home, and

her potential is not supported at school. Atticus instills in Jem and Scout a love of learning and

the value of quality education (Sharmila, 2020). Additionally, Atticus takes delight in

establishing the foundations of moral values in his kids (Ario Masai, 2022). He encourages them

to develop morally and intellectually while also treating them like adults. The novel's conclusion

on education is that the most crucial teachings are those of sympathy and understanding and that

a sympathetic, understanding approach is the best method to impart these lessons (Ario Masai,

2020). This is true of To Kill a Mockingbird in other themes as well. As a result, Miss Caroline is

ineffectual and even dangerous because of her rigorous adherence to the pedagogical methods

she studied in college, in contrast to Atticus, who can put himself in his students' shoes.

A weak, unfair, and cruel society is portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird, a book about

bravery and hope. Every element of this novel is infused with the concept of good versus evil.

Racial discrimination and inequality are accepted as the norm, and only a select few people are
 6

equipped to combat them. Additionally, it implies that the law might be skewed in favor of social

norms and does not necessarily follow the course of justice. The author emphasizes the

importance of moral education and understanding to prevent this problem. However, it implies

that making even a modest contribution to improving the lot of everyone, regardless of race,

gender, or any other characteristic, is worthy and deserving of respect and praise. To Kill a

Mockingbird, which addressed all the themes stated, became a classic of American literature.
 7

References

Ario Masai, M. E. (2022). An analysis moral values in novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by

Harpeer Lee’s as an alternative teaching material in high school. Griya Cendikia, 7(2),

434–446. https://doi.org/10.47637/griya-cendikia.v7i2.354

Johnson, C. D. (2018). Reading Harper Lee: Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a

Watchman. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Sharmila, K. (2020). Theme of racial oppression in Harper Lee’s ‘to kill a mocking bird.’

American Research Journal of English and Literature, 6(1).

https://doi.org/10.21694/2378-9026.20002

Lee, H. (2020). To kill a mockingbird. Arrow Books.