To Kill a Mockingbird

"To Kill A Mockingbird"

After watching To Kill A Mockingbird, the characters I see the author trying to teach me through is Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem, and Arthur "Boo" Radley.

To begin, Atticus Finch has experienced and understood evil throughout his life. He has been confronted with prejudice and racism, but has not lost his faith in the human capacity for goodness. Atticus understands from his own experiences and reflection that most people have both good and bad qualities. Also, through Atticus, the important thing in life is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their perspective. He tries to teach this ultimate moral lesson to Jem and Scout to show them that it is possible to live with conscience without losing hope or becoming cynical. For example, in this way, Atticus is able to admire Mrs. Dubose's courage even while deploring her prejudice. In much the same way, Scout's progress as a character is defined by her gradual development toward understanding the lessons Atticus Finch tries to teach her when Scout at last sees Boo Radley as a human being. Her newfound ability to view the world from his perspective ensures that she will not become jaded as she loses her innocence.

Secondly, I believe the most inspirational and in depth character in this movie was Jean Louise "Scout" Finch. From beginning to end, she learns to control her temper, to back away from fights, and to respect Calpurnia. She really learns her value to the family. Scout is also able to maintain her basic faith in human nature despite the shock and unfairness of Tom Robinson's courtroom conviction. However, Jem's faith in truth, justice and humanity is very badly damaged. He does not understand why all of this is happening. Prejudice and racism does not make any sense to Jem. Initially, Scout and Jem assume that all people are good by nature and tolerant of others. It is not until they see things from a more realistic adult perspective that they are able to confront evil, as well as prejudice, and incorporate it into their understanding of the world.

Lastly, Arthur "Boo" Radley has for decades been maliciously slandered in the county. The people that have done so do not know Boo and the reason they can make such judgments escapes me. When there was