To Kill A Mockingbird: Book Review
I give To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee a 4 out of 5 stars. This book was factual for the racism and prejudice for the time period. She also painted the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama to be one of those quaint, southern towns where everyone knows everyone else's business. This book really keeps the reader on their toes.
It is a fast moving book and took off right away. The twists and unexpected turns kept the reader guessing about what was going to happen next. Lee used mood very well in To Kill A Mockingbird. It gave the reader a certain feeling about what was going to happen next, whether it was creepy and scary or innocent and fun. Her use of characterization planted a seed about Arthur Radley in the reader’s mind about how the town of Maycomb sees him. They see him as a monster but turns out to be the surprising and unexpected hero. Another way that Lee used characterization is when she created the character of Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who wanted to die free. She showed courage and strength by overcoming her addiction. When Bob Ewell spat in Atticus's face and attempted to break into Judge Taylor's house, it foreshadowed his attack on Scout and Jem. The reader could feel something was going to happen but didn't know what it was. The themes of the book were very inspirational. Lee used Atticus's character to present a few themes, such as taking a walk in someone else's shoes. This just means that you have to find out more about them and not just judge them by looking at them or hearing about them. Another theme is the mockingbird. It represents innocence and that you don't hurt something that hasn't hurt you. Tom represents the mockingbird theme.
I recommend this book to freshman and older mainly because of the language and racism that was present. Harper Lee did a great job showing the reader what life was like in the 1930's and how hard it was for African Americans in the south, even though slavery was over. They were tried for crimes that they didn't do but found guilty because of the color of their skin. Harper Lee used Atticus's character to show the town of Maycomb that they needed to change. They needed to start owning up to their wrongdoings and not blaming African Americans. Overall, To Kill A Mockingbird is a must read for anyone who enjoys suspense with a touch of childhood fun.
It is a fast moving book and took off right away. The twists and unexpected turns kept the reader guessing about what was going to happen next. Lee used mood very well in To Kill A Mockingbird. It gave the reader a certain feeling about what was going to happen next, whether it was creepy and scary or innocent and fun. Her use of characterization planted a seed about Arthur Radley in the reader’s mind about how the town of Maycomb sees him. They see him as a monster but turns out to be the surprising and unexpected hero. Another way that Lee used characterization is when she created the character of Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who wanted to die free. She showed courage and strength by overcoming her addiction. When Bob Ewell spat in Atticus's face and attempted to break into Judge Taylor's house, it foreshadowed his attack on Scout and Jem. The reader could feel something was going to happen but didn't know what it was. The themes of the book were very inspirational. Lee used Atticus's character to present a few themes, such as taking a walk in someone else's shoes. This just means that you have to find out more about them and not just judge them by looking at them or hearing about them. Another theme is the mockingbird. It represents innocence and that you don't hurt something that hasn't hurt you. Tom represents the mockingbird theme.
I recommend this book to freshman and older mainly because of the language and racism that was present. Harper Lee did a great job showing the reader what life was like in the 1930's and how hard it was for African Americans in the south, even though slavery was over. They were tried for crimes that they didn't do but found guilty because of the color of their skin. Harper Lee used Atticus's character to show the town of Maycomb that they needed to change. They needed to start owning up to their wrongdoings and not blaming African Americans. Overall, To Kill A Mockingbird is a must read for anyone who enjoys suspense with a touch of childhood fun.