To Kill a Mockingbird Essay
Due Dates:
First Draft: April 30
Final Draft: May 9th
You will write a literary response essay for To Kill a Mockingbird. Your essay should be an analysis of the text, supported by examples, not a summary of the book Your essay should fully address the topic and make points about the novel in an organized response.
Choose one of the two topics:
Loss of Innocence
With age and experience come knowledge, the realization of harsh realities, and finally wisdom and understanding. Trace Jem's journey from innocence of childhood to adulthood and his understanding of good and evil.
Empathy
According to Atticus, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”
First Draft: April 30
Final Draft: May 9th
You will write a literary response essay for To Kill a Mockingbird. Your essay should be an analysis of the text, supported by examples, not a summary of the book Your essay should fully address the topic and make points about the novel in an organized response.
Choose one of the two topics:
Loss of Innocence
With age and experience come knowledge, the realization of harsh realities, and finally wisdom and understanding. Trace Jem's journey from innocence of childhood to adulthood and his understanding of good and evil.
- Which events in the novel caused Jem to grow up and rethink his previous beliefs?
- How do these events influence Jem? What changes do we see in Jem because of this?
- Include discussion of Boo Radley and the racism in Maycomb country.
Empathy
According to Atticus, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”
- Discuss events in the novel where the characters in the story and the reader are given the opportunity to walk in someone else's shoes.
- Explain how these events change the characters' and our views about the situation?
- What point Harper Lee is trying to make about the nature of racism and prejudice?
- Include discussion of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.