How is fear depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird?
An instinct of survival, fear is a response to perceived danger. This danger can be physical or psychological, and it often derives from a lack of understanding or from a sense of being threatened.
Lack of Understanding
Since there are tales about the mysterious Arthur Radley who never leaves his house, there is a fear that is generated in the minds of people. Having heard Miss Stephanie's tale that Boo "drove" a pair of scissors that he was using to cut some articles from the newspaper into his father's leg as he passed before him, Jem and Scout feel trepidation whenever they are near the Radley house. And, since he has supposedly appeared at Miss Stephanie's window at night, "Boo" Radley is feared as though he were a spirit who moves about mysteriously. People fear he may come near them because they do not really understand the nature of Arthur...
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Radley.
Threats
Fear also exists in the hearts of those who feel themselves threatened.
The mob at the jailhouse threatens Atticus with their numbers along with their attitudes and aggression. However, once this aggression is diffused by Scout's influence upon Mr. Cunningham, the fear is removed.
Certainly, after already having received a beating from her reprehensible parent, Mayella testifies falsely against Tom Robinson from fear of her father. A racist himself, Bob Ewell does not want people to think that Mayella made sexual advances toward a black man. In addition, Mayella fears Atticus, who might expose her lies. Also, there was a law against miscegenation in Alabama on record until 1967, and Mayella may fear retribution from the law.
Reflective of the 1931 trial on which Harper Lee based her trial in the novel, Mayella's act of accusing Tom seems similarly motivated to the action of one of the two women on the train with nine black men in Scottsboro, Alabama.
[The lawyer for the Scottsboro boys, Samuel Leibowitz] proposed that Price made up the charge (of rape) to protect herself and Bates . . . . Leibowitz speculated that the young women feared they would be arrested for vagrancy or for being hobos in the company of the black youths. (PBS)
Similarly, when Bob Ewell appears and sees Mayella with Tom inside their shack, Tom Robinson runs from the fear of the anti-miscegenation law (Jim Crow was also still in effect). While he is on the witness stand, Tom tells Atticus, who asks him why he ran from the Ewell place:
"I was scared, suh."
"Why were you scared?"
"Mr. Finch, if you was a n*****r like me, you'd be scared, too....I's scared I'd be in court, just like I am now."
Clearly, then, fear is a strong response in some of the characters of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Where is the theme of fear portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird?
There are several scenes throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird where the theme of fear is portrayed. At the beginning of the novel, Jem, Dill, and Scout all fear the ominous Radley residence. Many terrifying rumors surround the Radley home, including the belief that Radley pecans will kill you. The children run past the Radley home on their way to school, Jem contemplates touching the side of the Radley home for three days, and Scout is reluctant to play the game "One Man's Family" out of fear that Boo might be watching them.
Another scene where the theme of fear is depicted takes place in Chapter 10. When the rabid dog, Tim Johnson, staggers down the main road of Maycomb, all of the neighbors lock their doors because they fear being bitten by the rabid dog. Fortunately, Atticus kills Tim Johnson in one shot.
In Chapter 15, Atticus and his children are surrounded by the Old Sarum bunch who wishes to hang Tom Robinson. Tom fears for his life, but once again, Atticus courageously defends Tom by refusing to step aside from the jailhouse.
Another moment where the theme of fear is portrayed is found in Chapter 23 after Bob Ewell spits in Atticus' face while he is leaving the post office. Jem and Scout fear for their father's safety and begin to lose interest in their normal activities. Jem even tells Atticus, "We're scared for you, and we think you oughta do something about him" (Lee 292). When Atticus discovers how deeply frightened his children are, he tells them that Bob got all the bitterness out of his system the morning Bob spit in his face. Atticus reassures the children that there is nothing to worry about, and they stop being afraid.
In Chapter 28, Harper Lee also portrays the theme of fear when Jem and Scout are walking to and from the Maycomb Halloween festival. On their way to the auditorium, Cecil Jacobs scares them while they are walking in the dark. When Jem and Scout are walking home, they stop and listen to hear if someone is following them. Scout gets scared and even asks Jem if he thinks they should sing to keep their minds occupied. Initially, they think Cecil is attempting to scare them again, but it turns out that Bob Ewell has been stalking them. Fortunately, Boo Radley comes to their rescue when Bob Ewell attacks.