To Kill a Mockingbird
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What writing craft techniques does Harper Lee use to make the writing more powerful?
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Jonese SheltonApril 6,2015
Group 1
In “The Outsiders” by S.E Hinton the author uses a lot of techniques such as Dialogue and Multiple plot lines. The authors set up a problem to how Ponyboy act differently from the rest of his gang and brothers.
In the beginning, Ponyboy gets jumped by the Socs and his big brother Darry comes to saves him because he was walking from the movies when all of sudden he saw a car pull up. Ponyboy and his friends and brothers are greasers - greasers are like hoods and fight every once in a while. The Socs are the ones that are like a middle class meaning they rich because the greasers are poor. But when Ponyboy almost got jumped he was he saved and this connects with multiple plot lines because it shows how one minute a scene was sad then the next minute the scene was interesting. Also, in the beginning one detail that was really important was it said “ Us greasers usually stick together , but when we do fight among ourselves , it’s a fair fight between the two”. This piece of evidence was very true especially when it was the night of the rumble and how the greasers won.
In the middle there was a few things that shocked me and got my attention the first one was when Johnny killed bob that showed that he was concerned and was a good friend because bob was drowning ponyboy and him and his gang tried to jumped them so they fought back and johnny stabbed him. Another detail was the night of the rumble when dally came to join he was hurt from when he was in the church trying to save the children because the church was on fire and the got burned so when he was in the hospital they told him that ponyboy and the others couldn’t see him even though he still came to the rumble to help his friends that was very nice and very brave to do.
In the end when johnny died and dally that was very sad and emotional to Ponyboy because those were his best friends and they did everything together and did things that they wasn’t supposed to do. But, they always been there for each other when something went on or wrong. Also, the letter that Johnny wrote to ponyboy before he died this changed things because he said “Stay Gold” and that basically means stay strong or they phrase they said to each other throughout the story.
Some people might think that friendships and things aren’t really important but they really are because when u lose someone that u been with for a long time and they die thats really sad and emotional. Overall, this shows how Ponyboy acts differently from the rest of his gang and and his feelings because them words “STAY GOLD” means a lot in this case.
Good transition words, but try to add commas after
nice job With the details but add commas
Um ... this forum is about To Kill a Mockingbird?
Everybody has a person that they remember and have there way of describing that person. Everyone has a person they remember or they need to see and In the book to kill a mockingbird the author uses flashbacks and descriptive language to show the remembrance and there need to see significant person. When Scout and Jem try to see Boo and get him to come outside they are showing there need to see Boo. Scout and Jem try to see Boo many of times. they even try to think of why he dont come outside and what he looks like. They create a game and they play as the Boo radley’s family. This shows there need to see Boo. They attempt to describe Boo and they try to think of what he looks like for example “...Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks…” Said Jem. Everyone has a person they want to see and they try to think of what he/she looks like and then tries to describe them. Some people might say that this isn't remembering or a need to see a significant person its creating him but they don't see how they are doing this because they want to see him.
When Jem describes his mom he has his ways of describing her and he uses flashbacks to remember her. Scout says Jem always describes there mom. In the book when Ms.Dubose said something about there mom Jem went livid. This show how Jem remembers his mom and has a way of describing her. Everyone has a person who has passed and they remember and describes to people who does not remember that person.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird the author Harper Lee uses flashbacks descriptive language to show the remembrance and the need to see a significant person. This shows the importance of memory. Everyone has a person they really want to see or a person who has passed that they remember. When people think about this book they will think of a person they want to see or that they remember.
Peace and InnocentEveryone in life has something given to them or it comes to them eventually that symbols something in there life. In the book How To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee, which takes place in a small town, with a big case going on how an african american was accused of rapping a white woman. Also about how when someone who is accused of doing something when they didn't do anything just made peace with the decision that was made. The book by Harper Lee also uses description and symbolism to show the meaning of the obstacles of peace that different people go through.
One example Harper Lee uses to show description is “ We ran back and found him struggling in the fence, kicking his pants off to get loose. “ This helps because the kids are wanting Boo to come out so they can meet him. Shows that the mockingbird wasn’t ready to come out and spread the lovely music around to show how peaceful he really is since rumors go around about him of how mean he is. Another example Lee uses is, “ Judge Taylor, who had been concentrating on his fingernails, looked up as if he were expecting an objection, but Atticus was quiet.” This also shows that not only does Atticus want to protect the mockingbird which is Tom Robinson, so when the judge sees that he's not speaking up the judge thought it was unusual. This connects with the theme peace and innocent because Atticus just wants to make peace by having the town not be mad at him and for the jury to let the man Tom just have peace and Tom to be innocent since he knows Tom was.
Not only does the author Harper Lee use description, but she also uses symbolism the symbol she uses is a mockingbird. This symbolizes not only peace but also innocence. She doesn’t just compare the mockingbird to one person in the story but to two people in the store Boo Radley ( Mr. Arthur ) and Tom Robinson. An example where she uses the mockingbird comparing Boo is when Scout and Jem are attacked on their way home and Boo saves them to make peace without the kids getting too badly hurt since he saw the kids grow up so he wanted them to have peace. He is also connected with peace because he hasn't been out of the house in a long time and decided to come out to help the kids making peace. Mockingbird also represents innocence because Tom was in court because he was accused of rapping a white woman when he was truly innocent. Someone who tells you that a mockingbird isn't innocent because the only thing they do is sing to smooth things out is wrong because they take things even if the things they take aren't what they deserve. Tom was innocent but he still took what the jury and judge gave to him.
The two things description and symbolism go together because you need some justification to explain and show how a mockingbird is a representation. Representation/Symbolism and picture/description also goes together because if the author just said mockingbird and didn't have examples the reader wouldn’t understand how the character is that symbol. It doesn't always have to be the description is describing the symbol but the symbol doing the describing. The reason is if people do know what a mockingbird is then they can agree or not.
The book by Harper Lee also uses description and symbolism to show the meaning of the obstacles of peace that different people go through. After the reader reads this book it may connect to their life with them knowing it or they don’t. For example when your teacher yells at you for something and you didn’t do it and you're totally innocent but they don't believe you so you get a lunch detention you might not agree with the decision but you go along with it anyways. While we leave the story we see how just always going with the flow or accepting the consequences we can see how it can make long and stressful situations just be settled taking all the weight on your shoulders to make others happy. In the end is really just accepting all the drama, to make others happy really worth you being unhappy?
Everyone in life witnesses a moment where innocence is ignored. Whether it’s in a trial in court, in the principal’s office, or in our society today in general. In court, the goal is for justice to be served, but a jury is made of people and people are people. Meaning every person has opinions, are bias one way or another, have personal experiences and so on. We all know from experience that some people have the worst opinions and think they’re right! A jury ignores the fact that a man is crippled with no use of his left hand, making it almost impossible for him to abuse a girl’s left side of her body. Also, this disability would make it difficult to rape a girl. A man with a family, good morals, no intention of hurting anyone, and no use of an arm that would be needed to commit the crime he is accused of is obviously innocent. However, this certain man is declared guilty. This is how Harper Lee exercises this fact that innocence is often ignored when it shouldn’t be in To Kill A Mockingbird. She accomplishes this by using a mockingbird to symbolize innocence, which helps to build understanding and set a mood of sympathy in the story. If you don’t understand how the mockingbird represents innocence, here’s how. All the mockingbird does is sing for the world to hear which shows its’ innocence. Very much like all a young, harmless child does is play with it’s toys. The meaning behind the book’s title is that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird- it is a sin to kill the innocent. This symbolism connects back to the story through Tom Robinson and Arthur Radley.
Tom Robinson was accused of raping the young white woman, Mayella Ewell, and was taken to jail. The only thing is, he was innocent, but because it was a black man’s word against a white’s, he was declared guilty. The only reason the jury decided to announce he was guilty and lock him up was because of the social code- never take a black man’s word over a white’s. To conclude, he was an innocent man, but they locked him up anyway. In the end of the book, Tom Robinson is caught in the act of attempting to escape the Maycomb County Jail, which leads to his death when he is shot and killed. This directly links us to the idea of the mockingbird. The mockingbird was Tom.
There is another person this symbolism is shown through. Arthur Radley was a man misunderstood by Maycomb. He was a man believed to have committed incomprehensible crimes years ago and now is tucked away in his home, guarded by his brother, Nathan. He is scared of the world outside the gate of his home, which is why he never leaves his home. The children tried to get him to come out, but Atticus told them not to because it would be like killing a mockingbird. Arthur doesn’t bother anyone and just stays in his little cocoon. Forcing him to come out may hurt him because the world is cruel and people already have negative opinions on him. So it would be like throwing a rock in the pond or throwing him to the wolves. People in Maycomb County didn’t understand this and we can see that by the way they talk about him. By the way the rumors spread, we can see it’s obvious how his innocence is ignored and why Arthur is scared. He would get hurt and it that way, he is a mockingbird. Some will say Harper Lee puts Arthur in as a tool to build suspense. Though this is true, the bigger meaning of Arthur being in this story is that he is a mockingbird.
In these two situations in Harper Lee’s book, To Kill A Mockingbird, we can see how the innocence of these two characters are ignored and how innocence can be ignored in reality. Maybe we can learn something from this, maybe we don’t look close enough when judging. This book’s setting took place years ago, yet we still face these problems of people judging too quickly today. We as a society judge books by their cover, which could possibly just be an act out of laziness or maybe this generation is just super judgmental. Both possibilities are not where this generation needs to be. We are capable of changing the way our society behaves, we’ve done it so many times before. But, it’s little things like judging that make us fall apart again. You need to challenge yourselves to get out, meet people, and attempt to look past the cover. Look past race, age, what you’ve heard and so on and in doing so you will be surprised of how blinded you’ve been to how amazing people can be. After doing this, you will soon find improvements in yourself too.
Author’s Craft Essay: To Kill A Mockingbird Every one in life has experienced the feeling of suspense. Like the feeling of walking into a dark room after hearing a sound come from inside . . . then turning on the lights. In To Kill A Mockingbird, the characters have also felt suspense. For example when they are waiting in the courtroom, walking past the knot hole, or even just asking Atticus, the children’s father, a simple question and not knowing what the answer might be. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee focused on multiple craft moves, including dialogue, 1st person narration, and symbolism to build suspense.
Harper Lee uses dialogue to build suspense. One example of this is when Miss Maudie’s house is on fire. Harper Lee writes, “By then he did not have to tell me. Just as the birds know where to go when it rains, I knew when there was trouble in our street. Soft taffeta-like sounds and muffled scurrying sounds filled me with helpless dread,” in the narration then uses dialogue like, “Whose is it?” and “Miss Maudie’s, hon.” Using this dialogue creates suspense by not telling you exactly what’s happening in the scene. The dialogue makes the reader want to know what happens next in the story.
Throughout the story Harper Lee uses 1st person narration. When the reader only gets to hear Scouts thoughts they start to wonder what the other characters are thinking. We get to hear what the other characters are saying, but we’re not exactly sure what they’re feeling. Scout can tell us what she sees and thinks about what’s happening to them, but we are never sure that’s true. It’s Scout’s mind telling us these things, not the character we’re thinking about. This helps create suspense in the story by making readers wonder what’s happening with the other characters in the story and how they feel about everything going on.
Harper Lee also uses symbolism to create suspense. The mockingbird represents innocence in the story. This notion of innocence builds suspense in the story by making the reader want to know what is happening in the other characters mind. The knot hole expresses freedom in the story. Freedom is a goal for Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Boo’s idea of freedom is leaving the house without people judging him. Tom’s idea of freedom is not going to jail, people not judging him because he’s black, and to be with his family. This shows suspense by making the reader think about what’s going to happen next to the characters and the story.
While some people might argue that symbolism helps support the theme, they forget that the symbolism creates suspense by making the reader want to know what happens next instead of supporting the theme. We also don’t know what the theme is until the end of the book so symbolism couldn’t show the theme.
To conclude, Harper Lee uses dialogue, 1st person narration, and symbolism to build suspense in To Kill A Mockingbird . Think about how suspense affects you in your life. How has someone talking about someone else made you think about how the person is feeling? Has seeing something that symbolized something made you wonder if anything would happen? Think about how things in your life can be suspenseful like they are in the story to the reader.
Overwhelming Innocence Innocence is shown throughout one point in everyone’s life ,and others may understand or they might not. In the book Tom Robinson a black man is accused of raping a white woman. But, the father of Jem and Scout is put to the case of the black mans defense. During this time of their father being gone most of the time they having curiosity arising to the surface about one of their neighbours that never come out and was also in trouble with the law at one point. But when Atticus seems to be home he either brings up theory of the mockingbird being a sin. Or the fact for the kids to not mess with the neighbour who never comes out (Boo Radley).So in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, she uses symbolism (of the mockingbird), description, and dialogue to show innocence.
Innocence is the main thing in To Kill a Mockingbird shown with symbolism and dialogue. In addition there is more evidence towards this idea which is, ” Finally he raised his head. ”Scout,” he said,”Mr.Ewell fell on his knife.Can you possibly understand?”
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. ”Yes sir,I understand,” I reassured him. “Mr.Tate was right.”
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?”
Atticus put his face in my hair and rubbed it. When he got up and walked across the porch into the shadows, his youthful step had returned. Before he went inside the house, he stopped in front of Boo Radley. “Thank you for my children, Arthur,” he said.” This scene showed the symbolism of a mockingbird.Which is innocence because its a sin to kill a mockingbird ,and mocking birds do scarcely anything but sing.The symbolism of the mockingbird is also shown is when, “Atticus said to Jem one day,”I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard ,but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em,but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
“Your father’s right,” She said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens , don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This shows that mockingbirds are a sign of innocence that is why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. And not only that ,but it’s shown because the actions of these majestic birds that are known as mockingbirds ;they don’t terrorize crops not anything of the sort but they bring upon a such innocence and peace with song.
Description in To Kill a Mockingbird shows big points of innocence.This can be seen the book is when ,“He regained his balance and dropped to his knees. He crawled to the window, raised his head and looked in.
Then I saw the shadow. It was the shadow of a man with a hat on.At first I thought it was a tree, but there was no wind blowing,and tree-trunks never walked. The back porch was bathed in moonlight, and the shadow,crisp as toast , moved across the porch toward Jem.
Dill saw it next. He put his hands to his face.
When it crossed Jem,Jem saw it.He put his arms over his head and went rigid....Jem leaped off the porch and galloped toward us. He flung open the gate, danced Dill and me through, and shooed us between two rows of swishing collards.Halfway through the collards I tripped; as I tripped the roar of a shotgun shattered the neighbourhood.
Dill and Jem dived beside me. Jem’s breath came in sobs: “Fence by the schoolyard!-hurry, Scout!” ” This dialogue and description shows, their actions were innocent for these ignorant kids they were just trying to have a little fun even if it didn’t turn out so great. Plus the fact that Jem put the other two before him shows it was an innocent act on their behalf. Then there is another time when it seems innocent like when, ” He went the back way,through the deer’s pasture, across the schoolyard and around to the fence,I thought-at least that was the way he was headed. It would take longer,so it was not time to worry yet. I waited until it was time to worry and listened for Mr. Radley’s shotgun. Then I thought I heard the back fence squeak. It was wishful thinking…. The night -crawlers had retired, but ripe chinaberries drummed on the roof when the wind stirred, and when the darkness was desolate with the barking of distant dogs.There he was, returning to me. His white shirt bobbed over the back fence and slowly grew larger. He came up the back steps, latched the door behind him, and sat on his cot. Wordlessly, he held up his pants.He lay down,and for a while I heard his cot trembling. Soon he was still. I did not hear him stir again.” In this scene he wants to come off as innocent so he goes back to get his pants and this was an innocent move ,so none of the kids would get the blame or be in trouble.
Some others may see this as doing the right thing to get anyone off his back but clearly, he wants to come off as innocent . And to not get anyone in trouble for his mistake of taking off his pants to get out of a situation rapidly.
In To kill a Mockingbird the mockingbird symbolizes innocence ,but the author also uses dialogue along with description to show this. The symbol of the mockingbird in To kill a Mockingbird helps show the innocence spreading over all these people whether its Scout, Jem, Dill, or whoever.The mockingbird, the conversations, and descriptions it still brings upon the theory of their innocence. But the readers may leave the novel wondering does everyone see the innocence there? Even if there was proof of innocence especially with the kids in the book but some people may still wonder about it.
Romeo Vorachack Everyone living has once been a child or is now a child and we all know that when we were kids we could get away with most things. In To Kill a Mockingbird Jem and Scout are kids and they sometimes end up in some sticky situation, like when they were caught by Atticus trying to act out Boo Radley’s life. In To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee uses youth to symbolize innocence and uses flashbacks to connect with the reader.The author used youth because in a scene where Atticus was surrounded by an angry mob Scout, Jem, and Dill appeared right next to Atticus’ side. With kids next to Atticus the mob won’t be doing any beating or anything like that in front of children because the children were very young and innocent. Even though Atticus is a bit disappointed in them for sneaking out he is also thankful that the child saved him and made the mob leave.
The author also used flashbacks in the novel to show Scout as a kid. Harper Lee uses is she had scout do a flashback to when she was a kid this is a good technique because reading a story from an adult is very basic and simply but reading from a child’s perspective gives it a more interesting reading. Having the novel in a kids point of view gives the reader more of a connection with Scout because everyone has remembered being a child just like Scout.
Through the story Harper Lee used youth to symbolize innocence and Hinton used flashbacks to help the reader understand more about the book. The book really showed the authors craft through events like the trial and many other events. I think many book should use flashbacks and symbolize objects.
Emma wrote: "Author’s Craft Essay: To Kill A Mockingbird Every one in life has experienced the feeling of suspense. Like the feeling of walking into a dark room after hearing a sound come from inside . . . the..."
I really like your essay it informs me on how my symbols can be in one story
In the book to Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee uses flashback and flash forward and descriptions. Harper Lee uses them quite a few times but mostly in a few chapters not everyone those are the only ones I caught.In chapter two page 21, Miss Caroline was described as no older than 21, bright auburn hair, pink cheeks and wore crimson fingernail polish, and always had her high pumps and a dress on. This is descriptions because they described her outer appearance not her inner appearances. I chose this one because it really was detailed about how she looked one the outside.
In chapter nine, Harper Lee uses flashback and flash forward. The flashforward is when Scout is about to fight Cecil, the flashback is when Scout starts to question Atticus about his decision to defend Robinson, then Scout is deciding not to fight Cecil (flashback).This is a flashback and flash forward process because she started at one scene went to another then was back at the starting scene.
This book shows flashbacks and flashforwards these show a time period from one going on to another one, and back to where it started.
Morgan Poe Group 5
March 28 - April 7, 2015
Author’s craft essay
Everyone needs to know that a sin can be used in many situations. For instance in To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee the characters talk about if you kill a mockingbird its a negligent thing, so its a sin to kill one. Scout has connected to this many times, such as the Tom Robinson case, and after Boo Radley murdered Bob Ewell. Ever since her dad (Atticus) started to talk to her about that its a sin to kill a mockingbird, she has used it many times in different scenarios. In this novel the author uses craft moves to represent something. Such as dialogue, symbolism, and description to do so.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, mockingbird is represented. It is often referred to a sin to kill a mockingbird. A sin means to be in the wrong. In this book the term its a sin to kill a mockingbird is used throughout the entire book. For example Atticus Finch says when Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell that they shouldn't tell the Maycomb government. Their reasoning why is because they said Boo did not need to go to a jailhouse and be locked up, because he killed Mr.Ewell, and he deserved to die because he is the reason Tom Robinson got shot. However scout starts to say that its similar to the sin about not to kill a mockingbird. The author might have put this in here because a sin is a very bold thing in the world. A sin can be used in any way you want, or there is a sin like to kill something in a certain country. For instance its a sin to h
dsurt the American bald eagle in North America. The author may have just wanted to add sin’s in this book to make everything have a tiny bit of emotion. When Harper Lee decided to add sin about the mockingbird, she was probably thinking about real world example to compare in the novel.
Harper Lee uses dialogue in To Kill A Mockingbird. She uses Atticus Finch using dialogue when the “mad” dog come near his home. Jem and Scout noticed the dog at first and told Calpurnia. Atticus and Heck Tate were called by Calpurnia to come shoot the dog, because he had rabies. In chapter 10, page 126 Atticus says,“ Don’t waste time,Heck,”... “go on.” He was not wanting to shot the dog, because he has not shot a gun in a long time. Harper Lee uses this dialogue to get the reader curious, because when a book had dialogue it makes us wonder certain things. Such as “why did he/she says this?” or “how is this possible?” The author likes to get us wondering about his or her book. Dialogue also makes the book more interesting, because if the book just had narration and nobody speaking this would just make the book very dull and unrealistic. When a person is reading a book they normally like to relate to the book, and most of those connections come from the dialogue. The dialogue holds connections towards a reader because some people may talk like the character, or relate to the character. Another great example that Harper Lee uses is on page 123, Jem says,“ he’s gone lopsided.” Dialogue also give detail so you can get a good look on what someone is describing. With dialogue you are able to get a better look on how the character is describing something and it makes it much easier for us to connect to. Dialogue is in almost every novel and helps us get more hooked into the book.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee decides to use description so the reader can visualize things in the book easier. When scout talks about Boo Radley killing Bob Ewell to save her and Jem, she thinks nothing bad should happen to Boo. Her reasoning why was because Boo did a good thing because Bob was the reason why Tom Robinson died to all Bob got was karma. Scout says this is related to a sin about killing a mockingbird. She says the mockingbirds do nothing wrong but make beautiful music, and Boo saved her and Jems life, so they all should just let it be. Description helps a reader visualize exactly what is going on in the book. This can help you think in your own way, like exactly how the killing scene was, or how scout says thing about the sin. Description helps you get a scene or picture in your mind about what is happening. Harper Lee probably added this so she could get her readers more interested and make them want to read on further. Description can go a long way, especially when you talk about a certain sin in life.
In this novel the author used many craft moves to represent something. As you can see she used dialogue, symbolism, and description. Harper Lee uses great craft moves to get her readers hooked on what she is reading. She involves all of her characters in all of these craft moves, she used Scout when she explained symbolism from the sin, and she also used Jem, Atticus, and many more others to show dialogue with description. Have you ever thought of being in an authors shoes and actually understanding how they have a purpose for their craft moves? There are a lot of things an author doesn't tell you because they want you to solve something, like why she wrote something, or the purpose of her writing. Craft moves really do help a reader understand things way easier. Maybe next time you write something you can add craft moves too!
MockingbirdsEveryone in life is born with a chance of innocence, not everyone is born with hate or any negative feelings or actions.. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird the characters Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are innocent people but their innocence fades away in their home town Maycomb. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Mockingbirds to symbolize innocence.
In the beginning the Mockingbirds is shown as innocence when Jem and Scout are learning how to use their shiny new air rifles. Atticus won’t teach them how to shoot, but gives them one rule to follow. “I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it."Your father's right," she said. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
Mr.Underwood’s editorial after the death of Tom Robinson doesn’t mention mockingbirds by name, but it does have a similar message.” Mr.Underwood didn’t talk about the miscarriages of justice, he was writing so children could understand. Mr.Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples , be they standing , sitting , or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children , and maycomb thought he was trying to write an editorial poetical enough to be reprinted in Montgomery Advertiser.” Maybe Tom’s innocence of the crime he’s accused of makes him similar to the Mockingbird who does no harm to anyone.Or maybe its the senselessness that’s really key: killing Tom brought about no good and prevented no evil , just like shooting a Mockingbird. While some people may argue, how does a mockingbird connect with innocence and all they do is sing and mock people. They forget that Mockingbirds are Innocent creatures because of what they do.
In “To Kill A Mockingbird”, the Mockingbirds symbolizes the innocence that people have in their inner core that nobody realize and pays attention too.In the book Scout and Atticus were talking about Jem stating “Atticus , he was really nice”, “Most people are, Scout when you finally see them”. The innocence of nonviolent actions and words. To finish this off , we are left wondering if innocence is important in our lives.
Morgan Poe Group 5
March 28 - April 7, 2015
Author’s craft essay
Everyone needs to know that a sin can be used in many situations. For instance in To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee the characters talk about if you kill a mockingbird its a negligent thing, so its a sin to kill one. Scout has connected to this many times, such as the Tom Robinson case, and after Boo Radley murdered Bob Ewell. Ever since her dad (Atticus) started to talk to her about that its a sin to kill a mockingbird, she has used it many times in different scenarios. In this novel the author uses craft moves to represent something. Such as dialogue, symbolism, and description to do so.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, mockingbird is represented. It is often referred to a sin to kill a mockingbird. A sin means to be in the wrong. In this book the term its a sin to kill a mockingbird is used throughout the entire book. For example Atticus Finch says when Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell that they shouldn't tell the Maycomb government. Their reasoning why is because they said Boo did not need to go to a jailhouse and be locked up, because he killed Mr.Ewell, and he deserved to die because he is the reason Tom Robinson got shot. However scout starts to say that its similar to the sin about not to kill a mockingbird. The author might have put this in here because a sin is a very bold thing in the world. A sin can be used in any way you want, or there is a sin like to kill something in a certain country. For instance its a sin to h
dsurt the American bald eagle in North America. The author may have just wanted to add sin’s in this book to make everything have a tiny bit of emotion. When Harper Lee decided to add sin about the mockingbird, she was probably thinking about real world example to compare in the novel.
Harper Lee uses dialogue in To Kill A Mockingbird. She uses Atticus Finch using dialogue when the “mad” dog come near his home. Jem and Scout noticed the dog at first and told Calpurnia. Atticus and Heck Tate were called by Calpurnia to come shoot the dog, because he had rabies. In chapter 10, page 126 Atticus says,“ Don’t waste time,Heck,”... “go on.” He was not wanting to shot the dog, because he has not shot a gun in a long time. Harper Lee uses this dialogue to get the reader curious, because when a book had dialogue it makes us wonder certain things. Such as “why did he/she says this?” or “how is this possible?” The author likes to get us wondering about his or her book. Dialogue also makes the book more interesting, because if the book just had narration and nobody speaking this would just make the book very dull and unrealistic. When a person is reading a book they normally like to relate to the book, and most of those connections come from the dialogue. The dialogue holds connections towards a reader because some people may talk like the character, or relate to the character. Another great example that Harper Lee uses is on page 123, Jem says,“ he’s gone lopsided.” Dialogue also give detail so you can get a good look on what someone is describing. With dialogue you are able to get a better look on how the character is describing something and it makes it much easier for us to connect to. Dialogue is in almost every novel and helps us get more hooked into the book.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee decides to use description so the reader can visualize things in the book easier. When scout talks about Boo Radley killing Bob Ewell to save her and Jem, she thinks nothing bad should happen to Boo. Her reasoning why was because Boo did a good thing because Bob was the reason why Tom Robinson died to all Bob got was karma. Scout says this is related to a sin about killing a mockingbird. She says the mockingbirds do nothing wrong but make beautiful music, and Boo saved her and Jems life, so they all should just let it be. Description helps a reader visualize exactly what is going on in the book. This can help you think in your own way, like exactly how the killing scene was, or how scout says thing about the sin. Description helps you get a scene or picture in your mind about what is happening. Harper Lee probably added this so she could get her readers more interested and make them want to read on further. Description can go a long way, especially when you talk about a certain sin in life.
In this novel the author used many craft moves to represent something. As you can see she used dialogue, symbolism, and description. Harper Lee uses great craft moves to get her readers hooked on what she is reading. She involves all of her characters in all of these craft moves, she used Scout when she explained symbolism from the sin, and she also used Jem, Atticus, and many more others to show dialogue with description. Have you ever thought of being in an authors shoes and actually understanding how they have a purpose for their craft moves? There are a lot of things an author doesn't tell you because they want you to solve something, like why she wrote something, or the purpose of her writing. Craft moves really do help a reader understand things way easier. Maybe next time you write something you can add craft moves too!
The authors craft techniques in the book are usually in 1st person, she focuses the story on the character Ponyboy Curtis. granted the story itself revolves around the gang named the greases but evidently we see them and their lives thru ponyboy. throughout the book the narrative would change into the eyes of others who are in the greasers but we manley see what Ponyboy sees, we even get a little more backstory and character development thru him as we read his journey and learn his experience. We even get some of his inner thinking as he goes thru each event and we read his thoughts about things that he likes. We get to read everything that he sees and thinks and we see how he would react to them rather it be in rapid panic or fear and happiness and sometimes even angry. Like the scene when ( spoiler alert) Johnny dies from the church collapsing on him. We don't get a in deaf scene of it until Ponyboy goes to the hospital and sees him thir.For example take the scene when Ponyboy and Johnny are being jumped by some members of the socs, not only do we get some of ponyboy describing what's happening but we also get some inner thoughts of him freaking out when johnny kills one of the socs and we see him panike and try to fix what happened just like a normal person would. As the book would go on we start to see a lot of 1st person point of view of things. Like the scene when ponyboy and Johnny are in the church which just burst into flames because of a cigarette bud. We don't get a lot of inner thoughts but we get a lot of 1st person, you read what Ponyboy and Johnny escape instead of reading him experience it himself. In the book we don't get a ton of multiple point of views because like i said before we only see it thru johnny and its not that kind of story, but you do kind of get some hints of it and we read Ponyboy explaining their lives and problems. like how Sodapop wants to propose to his girlfriend and move out at some point. We read how Ponyboy explains how he goes through his evil parents and how he wants to escape from them.
In The Outsiders we really do get most of the story most of the time thru 1st person, so if i had to choose i would say the book is seen as ponyboy describes what's going on. We do get some scenes from his inner thoughts but its most of the time in 1st person. The moment when the book even starts we are introduced to the characters through 1st person. we meet Johnny, Sodapop, and Dally in a 1st person point of view. I also think that the 1st person point of view works better for the story then having it told in his inner thoughts. If you haven't read yet and i just spoiled some of it for you than give it a quick read you won't regret it.
Kayla wrote: "Peace and InnocentEveryone in life has something given to them or it comes to them eventually that symbols something in there life. In the book How To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee, which tak..."
Wow kayla! you did an amazing job. Your intro really makes a reader want to read on! Its really good.
Latifah wrote: "In the book to Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee uses flashback and flash forward and descriptions. Harper Lee uses them quite a few times but mostly in a few chapters not everyone those are the only o..."I like how you used the words in you essay
Kayla wrote: "Peace and InnocentEveryone in life has something given to them or it comes to them eventually that symbols something in there life. In the book How To Kill A MockingBird by Harper Lee, which tak..."
this is very well structured and gives good insight on the story.
Emma wrote: "Author’s Craft Essay: To Kill A Mockingbird Every one in life has experienced the feeling of suspense. Like the feeling of walking into a dark room after hearing a sound come from inside . . . the..."
You have a very open mind about the story and your topic sentence gives very good insight
Jonese wrote: "Jonese SheltonApril 6,2015
Group 1
In “The Outsiders” by S.E Hinton the author uses a lot of techniques such as Dialogue and Multiple plot lines. The authors set up a problem to how Ponyboy act ..."
This is good but you put it in the wrong book it suppose to be in the outsiders . Its in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Babari NaabienGroup 5
Malley
April 13,2015
Everyone in life is protected by at least one person even though you may not know it. In the book “To kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee the symbol inside the book that is commonly used is when Boo Radley keeps putting treasures inside the knot hole in the tree by Scout and Jem block. I think this represents his protection for the kids because he is always watching out for Jem and Scout. For example towards the ends of the book when Bob Ewell attacks the kids; Boo Radley rescue them from the attack. The kids could have gotten injured miserably if Boo Radley wasn't there for the kids.
Harper Lee she uses description and tone in chapter 16. Harper Lee makes Aunt Alexandra talk in a demented and disgusting way when talking about Dill. She said,”...and nobody held anybody off. It was just a nest of those Cunninghams, drunk and disorderly.” This shows that she is talking in a descriptive way because she is describing how the Cunninghams are acting like and when you read the part where she says “It was just a nest of those Cunninghams…” you can try to picture the type of tone she has which sounds to me paranoid and distasteful. Aunt Alexandra was also talking about Walter Cunningham. She was talking about how he is trash and that he is not her kind of people she wants to be around. Another thing Aunt Alexander said was their family is on a drinking streak. She also is being descriptive by talking about the way Walter Cunningham behaves and his action and also the way his family looks like.
The pattern that always inside the book is Boo Radley; always putting treasures inside the knothole for Scout and Jem. One afternoon when we were crossing the schoolyard towards home said:”There something I didn’t tell you……We were walking past our tree. In its knot-hole rested a ball of gray twine…As we came to the live oaks at the Radley Place I raised my finger to point for the hundredth time to the knot-hole where I had found the chewing gum,trying to make Jem believe I had found myself pointing at another piece of tinfoil...Jem looked around,reached up,and gingerly pocket. This evidence shows what Boo Radley put inside the knot-hole.
At the end of the story Boo Radley is accused of killing Bob Ewell. The reason is because Boo Radley fell on his knife.
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Happy Reading,
Ms. Crain