Lesson: Part 2

"Harper Lee’s Maycomb county bears out many of the stereotypes commonly attributed to the south and southerners regarding race relations. In the midst of portraying negative attitudes and prejudices, however, a truer face of the south shines through in the actions of the Finch family. Lee skillfully balances Atticus and his children with symbols of life in a “typical” southern town to draw a sharp distinction between those who would live the life they are told to live and those whose consideration of the world around them make their lives richer and more meaningful.

"Atticus doesn’t kill racism in Maycomb county; he can’t. But by showing his children racism in action and fighting the prejudice of the 'mockingbirds' of this stereotypical Southern town, Atticus plants the seeds of a future in which blacks and whites can live in peace." - enotes.com

 Read the in-depth analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird, which covers characters, plot, conflict, theme, style, mood, symbolism and morality in the novel.

Read the five essays on To Kill a Mockingbird, offering five different viewpoints on the novel.