To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

stepha22
stepha22
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What was the author's main purpose in writing, "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

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Posted by stepha22 on Sunday April 20, 2008 at 11:32 AM and tagged with harper lee, mockingbird, purpose, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. renelane Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    There are many similarities in this novel and Harper Lee's own upbringing that suggest some of her childhood experiences helped create this work.

    Harper Lee has denied that the novel is autobiographical, despite the obvious similarities between the author's life and that of Scout's. Lee's father was a southern lawyer in Alabama, and Lee was quite a tomboy who enjoyed the company of a spirited boy, Truman Capote, whom it is speculated was the model for Dill.

    The book explores the key themes of racism and its causes and effects, as well as the aspects of courage and tolerance. While there was nothing to suggest anything so dramatic occurring in Lee's life, it can be seen that she witnessed plenty of these themes in her own childhood that she wanted to express.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/

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    Posted by renelane on Sunday April 20, 2008 at 12:51 PM

  2. bag4373
    bag4373 Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    They say the book is based on education.

    I see it as more about racial issues and judging people before you get to know them. Throughtout the book Scout has to learn not to judge people. Atticus is also in a judgemental situtationw ith Tom Robinson and defending him in court. Also it is based on doing what you think is right versus what everyboody else thinks is right.

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    Posted by bag4373 on Sunday April 20, 2008 at 4:05 PM