To Kill a Mockingbird
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“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say”
From your detailed understanding of what a “classic” novel is, explain how the novel you have studied in class falls into this category.
A classic has lasting significance. It deals with complicated issues, which encourage and challenge readers to consider the different aspects that are portrayed, making a novel unique and memorable. A classic novel relates to life whether it is old or new.
There are many important themes in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which make it memorable to the reader. The major theme in this novel explores issues such as the destructive impact of racism, prejudice, injustice and the nature of justice and of humanity.
The events of the novel are presented through the eyes of a young, innocent narrator who plays a big role in the theme of growing up and her untainted approach amongst a racist society. The novel still today relates to modern life, modern societies still don’t live in a world where everyone accepts one another.
Characters such as Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, Aunt Alexandra and Heck Tate exist in real life, not only in a story. The event’s that occur in the novel such as the racist attitudes of the town and the unjust ruling of the court are global issues, which are common occurrences in today’s society.
Atticus Finch is a character with a lot of dignity. He is a man of justice and morality. When asked by his young daughter Scout, why he would continue to defend Tom Robinson if he knew he were to lose the case, Atticus replied, “If I didn’t defend Tom Robinson, I would never be able To tell you or Jem to do or not to do anything ever again”. This shows that Atticus Finch is not a hypocrite unlike many townsfolk of Maycomb.
A classic should have good characters that are interesting and not like everyone else, this make the novel interesting and more appealing to read.
Just like in to kill a mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a lawyer defending a person of colour,
Scout is a very independent girl who likes to speak her mind etc.
To Kill a Mockingbird teaches multiple moral lessons and presents an overall picture of the prejudice, lifestyle and attitude of an average society. Atticus Finch’s level of understanding people and life in general is outstanding. He knows not to judge a book by its cover as he tells Scout, “ You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walked around in them.”
There is a lot of prejudice in the little town for example,