Introduction to 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and Its Coming-of-Age Theme
Shot in black and white, this movie is a beautiful visual. To Kill a Mockingbird is a masterpiece everybody should see. Not only is To Kill a Mockingbird an essential film in American cinema, but it also helps show the impact film can have on society and its’ views. To kill a Mockingbird shows a coming-of-age story, one that works against the gender roles of time and reflects the true evils shown in society.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) is based on Harper Lee’s award-winning book, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960). Told through the eyes of Scout, a six-year-old tomboy growing up in the small racially divided town of Maycomb, Alabama. Playing in the summer as an innocent child, playing with her brother Jem and her friend Dill. They would tell each other made-up stories about their mysterious neighbor, “Boo Radley”. Until their town is divided by the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Although many of Maycomb’s citizens disapprove, Scout's father, Atticus, is appointed to and agrees to defend Tom Robinson. Through this journey, Scout learns and sees the truth of rivalry and racism.
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This movie is a prime example of a coming-of-age storyline. However, this isn’t just Scout's coming-of-age story, even though she is the main character. It also serves as her brother Jem’s and her friend Dills too. As the movie continues, Scout learns to mature and act more grown up. She also has the chance to see others around her, for who they really are. She sees the harsh nature of human beings (rude, biased, and unfair). Jem and Scout learn about the importance of empathy, civil rights, and other important lessons that Atticus and Calpurnia thought them. Showing that the real villains are racism, ignorance, and violence.
Scout's Journey: From Innocence to Understanding
To kill a mockingbird does an excellent job showing the journey and process of maturation. As Jem and Scout become more exposed to the coexistence of good and evil in their town, they lose their innocence and gain new perspectives on the unfairness and cruelty of the world around them. To Kill a Mockingbird showed the process of their maturation of moral values rather than just telling the audience. For example, at the jailhouse scene, Atticus is waiting outside the jailhouse reading when the three children come along. Shortly after, a mob of angry townsmen crowds around Atticus trying to get to Tom Robinson. When Atticus tells the children to leave, Jem senses the danger and reality of the situation. Jem and the rest refuse to follow Atticus’s orders. Although they deliberately disobey their father, they do it maturely. They choose to stay for the concern of their father’s safety rather than, out of the sheer cause for rebellion. By choosing to confront the hatred (to his father’s dismay) Jem shows his maturity and transition from boy to man.
However, many critics argue that the book serves as a better version of this story. They argue that this movie only serves as a small portion of the much larger story. In fact, in James Powers' review of the movie he said, “While this central incident dominates the story, it does not occupy the greatest time, and is actually only a smallish part of the whole story” (“'To Kill a Mockingbird': THR's 1962 Review”). This is true, the movie heavily focuses on the trial of Tom Robinson, even though there are other aspects within the original book.
This is a good argument, however, the movie contains most, if not all, of the important plot devices covered in the book. This is important in order to make a good film and to have it as closely accurate to the book as possible. Although many parts of the book that cover the more southern life aspect of the book are not covered, the main storyline and lessons are shown throughout the movie.
Although I do agree with many people’s arguments, to a degree. I think if the movie showed more parts and characters from the book, it would’ve helped with adding to the movie experience. For example, one major character from the book was Calpurnia. Calpurnia was the family friend of Atticus and the children; she was also a woman of color. She played the mother role in Jem and Scout’s life since they didn’t have a mother. She taught Scout lessons of empathy and played as Atticus’ second when raising the children.
Jem and Dill's Maturation and Lessons Learned
In addition, in the original book, Calpurnia brought the children to an all-colored church, which would’ve made an excellent scene within the film. In the book, Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to an all-colored person's church. In this experience, they see what happens in a colored church, versus what they do in their all-white church. The original book writes, “Jem and I had heard the same sermon Sunday after Sunday after Sunday, with only one exception. Reverend Sykes used his pulpit more freedom to express his views…” (Lee, 162). The ceremony in itself was very similar to their church. The teachings of the bible and sin were similar.
However, they also saw how poor the church was in comparison to their church. The church had significantly fewer funds, which led to them not having many material things. “There was no sign of piano, organ, hymn books, church programs, the familiar ecclesiastical impedimenta we saw every Sunday. It was dim inside, with a damp coolness slowly dispelled by the gathering congregation” (Lee,159). Jem and Scout got to see the class differences between the wealthy and the poor. This would’ve made a great scene for giving further insight into how Jem and Scout grew to understand empathy and the true differences between the two classes.
Scout's Gender Nonconformity and Feminist Themes
In addition to the differences in class, To Kill a Mockingbird works against the stereotypes and norms of gender and the sexes. In the 1930s (the time period the film takes place), women in society were constrained and heavily repressed. In the film, Scout is a major tomboy. Which, at the time is majorly frowned on. Scout dresses in overalls as opposed to the normal dress attire of the time. Scout plays with two boys, Jem and Dill. Scout gets into fights with boys. Scout often resists the notation that women are property and that she can do anything Jem and Scout can do.
Scout's individuality can be seen as an inspiration in today's world. As the Fight for women’s rights and feminism moves on today. Not only as a physical and political movement but a movement into culture and film as well. Scout is seen as different and as an individual in this movie. She doesn’t conform to the normal standards of “what a girl should be”.
Scout stands out as her own person. Scout unknowingly contributes to feminist theory. Feminist Theory, as Vicki Callahan states, “… almost exclusively engaged with the opposition of femininity and masculinity…” (109). Or in other words, Feminist Theory is concerned and engaged with the arguments and ideas of what traditional ideas of femininity and masculinity should be. Scout doesn’t care about the traditional idea of being feminine, she just does and acts the way she wants to. Atticus allows Scout to be her own person, rather than forcing her to conform to societal norms. With the support of her father, Scout crosses the line between being masculine and being feminine. Although Scouts, nonconformity to the norm plays little to no part in the film, it still can hold a major message to the audience. Which is the message of independence and individuality.
The Impact of the Tom Robinson Trial on the Children
Another message To Kill a Mockingbird portrays is the evils of racism and ignorance. The major incident of racism in the film was the trial of Tom Robinson. The trial is on his alleged assault and rape of a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson is falsely framed and is innocent, but is easily framed because of the color of his skin. There is no evidence remotely pointing to Tom Robinson committing the crime. In fact, there was a plethora of evidence showcasing that he could not have committed the crime. For example, one of Tom’s hands does not work because he got it caught in a machine as a kid. Even though Mayella provides no proof, the town believes her. Leaving Tom Robinson to face the backlash and hate from the community and court.
Ultimately, Atticus loses the case and Tom Robinson is found guilty and later lynched. This is an unfair outcome, showing that in the film the right to a fair trial is reserved for the white. While the court and justice systems are corrupted and plagued with discrimination against all others. Breaking down all chances for social progress and justice.
This discrimination can often be seen in today's justice and court systems. According to scholars Larry Siegal and John Worrall, Black and Latino adults are less likely than White adults to receive bail for a crime. Also, that unemployed and indigent African Americans often receive longer prison sentences. Rather than their unemployed white counterparts who’ve committed the same crimes (41). Many racial differences are reflected in the criminal justice system. Which may be held in part by the internalized bias of either the police, courts, or correctional institutions. This bias is shown in the film as well as in the real justice systems of today.
To kill a mockingbird addresses as many controversial issues. Leaving many to argue about how appropriate the film is. Many believe that books and movies should be banned. They believe that its use of strong language discussion of sexuality and rape and the use of the N-word, should not be allowed or tolerated. Many parents want the film banned. Prohibiting most of its young audiences to see.
However, James LaRue argues that “The whole part of classics is to challenge the way we think about things”. Which I completely agree with. To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic, and the whole point of these classics is to challenge your thinking and convey messages to its audiences. Which is exactly what this film does. It challenges your moral sense through the physical scenes and trial sequence of Tom Robinson. To Kill a Mockingbird can fuel discussions and conversations about racial tolerance and the hardships racism brings.
To add on, many films such as To Kill a Mockingbird have shown a light on these racial issues and have even helped fuel the civil rights movement. As author Ellen Scotts proclaims, “…Black audiences instead actively interpreted Hollywood films, seeking signs of truths and illumination among the shrouded symbols of Black civil rights abuses” (147). Movies often reflect on the problems and truths of the real world. This was clear for Civil rights activists of many kinds but primarily true for the colored. Cinema’s representations of issues such as segregation, racial violence, and lynching were used as the feed for many arguments. Cinemas' meanings were cloudy as opposed to many other areas of their struggles which were crystal clear. The interpretation of film was the basis for their activism (Scotts,147). For example, the interpretation of To Kill a Mockingbird could be seen as the problem of racial bias in the justice system. Which would then become the forefront of their argument.
Many could see this as far-fetched. However, the film often reflects the problems of modern-day in itself. I would argue that this method of claiming was very intelligent.
Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of 'To Kill a Mockingbird
In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird was a revolutionary film. To Kill a Mockingbird gave many different and new perspectives on multiple issues that were unheard of for its time. It showed a female crossing between the lines of masculinity and femininity, propelling the ideas of feminist theories. It gave new racial insights and perspectives while reflecting on the problems of society. A problem that sadly still exists today. All these issues and perspectives were told through the eyes of a six-year-old Scout, learning empathy and maturing throughout the case of an innocent man.
Sources page
Film:
- To Kill a Mockingbird
Books:
- Foote, Horton, and Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird. Script City, 1964.
- Callahan, Vicki. Reclaiming the Archive Feminism and Film History. Wayne State University Press, 2010.
- Scott, Ellen C. Cinema Civil Rights : Regulation, Repression, and Race in the Classical Hollywood Era. Rutgers University Press, 2015.
- Siegel, Larry J., and John L. Worrall. Essentials of Criminal Justice. 10th ed., Cengage, 2019.
Websites and film reviews:
- “'To Kill a Mockingbird': THR's 1962 Review.” The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2018, www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/kill-a-mockingbird-1962-film-867767
- Little, Becky. “Why 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Keeps Getting Banned.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 16 Oct. 2017, www.history.com/news/why-to-kill-a-mockingbird-keeps-getting-banned.
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