Theme
THēm/
noun
Section 1/Chapters 1-6 pages 1-57
In section 1, the main theme shown is alienation. Alienation is the state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved. The Radleys, especially Boo, are very isolated from the rest of Maycomb. Showing how the Radleys are always inside their house and don't associate with the rest the people of Maycomb shows isolation.
"The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays, another thing alien to Maycomb's ways: closed doors meant illness and cold weather only. Of all days Sunday was the day for formal afternoon visiting: ladies wore corsets, men wore coats, children wore shoes. But to climb the Radley front steps. "He-y," of a Sunday afternoon was something their neighbors never did. The Radley house had no screen doors. I once asked Atticus if it ever had any; Atticus said yes, but before I was born." (Lee 9)
Section 2/Chapters 7-11 pages 57-114
The theme of section 2 is innocence. Scout knows her father will be defending Tom Robinson in court, but doesn't know why people dislike him for it or even call him a "nigger lover."
"Do all lawyers defend a-Negroes, Atticus?" "Of course they do, Scout." "Then why did Cecil say you defend niggers? He made it sound it sound like you were runnin' a still." Atticus sighed. "I'm simply defending a Negro-- his name's Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He's a member of Calpernia's church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they're clean-living folks. Scout, you aren't old enough to understand some things yet, but there's been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man. It's a peculiar case--it won't come to the trial until summer session. John Taylor was kind enough to give us a postponement..." If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?" (Lee 9)
When Lee shows that Scout is clueless about why people don't want Atticus to take on this case, it shows childhood innocence.
Section 3/Chapters 12-17 pages 115-178
Theme in this section is very important because the theme of it is is racism. The whole book is a lot about racism and in this section is where it starts to show itself the most. For example on page 119 Calpernia decides to take Scout and Jem to an all blacks church with her and one of the characters (Lula) is racist to whites.
""I felt Calpurnia's hand dig into my shoulder. "What you want, Lula?" In terms I had never heard her use. She spoke quietly, contemptuously. "I wants to know why you bringin' white chillun to nigger church." "They's my comp'ny," said calpernia." (Lee 119)
Section 4/Chapters 18-23 pages 178-227
In section 4 the theme is standing up for what you believe in or justice. Atticus took Tom Robinson's case because he believed that he was not guilty, but was convicted of being guilty because of his skin color. Also because Atticus took the case, he was being threatened (by Bob Ewell) but didn't care, and still chose to help Tom throughout the case.
"At that moment Aunt Alexandra came to the door and called us, but she was too late. it was Miss Stephanie's pleasure to tell us; this morning that Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life." (Lee 217)
Section 5/Chapters 24-26 pages 227-247
I think in this section, the theme, and what's being emphasized the most is just culture and expectations or women/feminine. Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra expect the most from Scout in being polite, dressing, and acting like a lady.
"Don't you want to grow up to be a lwayer?" Miss Maudie's hand touched mine and I answered mildly enough, "Nome, just a lady." Miss Stephanie eyed me suspiciously, decided that I meant no impertinence, and contented herself with, "Well, you won't get very far until you start wearing dresses more often." Miss Maudie's hand closed tightly in mine, and I said nothing. Its warmth was enough.
When Miss Maudie grabs and Scouts hand when she's about to speak, it is telling Scout to be careful about what she next says, hence saying that Miss Maudie does have high exceptions for Scout.
Section 6/Chapters 27-31 pages 247-281
The theme of this last section is "Realization," or youth. Youth is shown through the realization of Jem and Scout. Jem and Scout, throughout the book think that all people are, "good" (Childhood innocence) and that everyone gets along because there is no problems, and at the end of the book it transitions to the children having a more adult perspective that there actually is bad people and conflicts between people like racism.
THēm/
noun
- 1.
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
"the theme of the sermon was reverence"
synonyms:subject, topic, subject matter, matter, thesis, argument, text, burden,concern, thrust, message;
Section 1/Chapters 1-6 pages 1-57
In section 1, the main theme shown is alienation. Alienation is the state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved. The Radleys, especially Boo, are very isolated from the rest of Maycomb. Showing how the Radleys are always inside their house and don't associate with the rest the people of Maycomb shows isolation.
"The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays, another thing alien to Maycomb's ways: closed doors meant illness and cold weather only. Of all days Sunday was the day for formal afternoon visiting: ladies wore corsets, men wore coats, children wore shoes. But to climb the Radley front steps. "He-y," of a Sunday afternoon was something their neighbors never did. The Radley house had no screen doors. I once asked Atticus if it ever had any; Atticus said yes, but before I was born." (Lee 9)
Section 2/Chapters 7-11 pages 57-114
The theme of section 2 is innocence. Scout knows her father will be defending Tom Robinson in court, but doesn't know why people dislike him for it or even call him a "nigger lover."
"Do all lawyers defend a-Negroes, Atticus?" "Of course they do, Scout." "Then why did Cecil say you defend niggers? He made it sound it sound like you were runnin' a still." Atticus sighed. "I'm simply defending a Negro-- his name's Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He's a member of Calpernia's church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they're clean-living folks. Scout, you aren't old enough to understand some things yet, but there's been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man. It's a peculiar case--it won't come to the trial until summer session. John Taylor was kind enough to give us a postponement..." If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?" (Lee 9)
When Lee shows that Scout is clueless about why people don't want Atticus to take on this case, it shows childhood innocence.
Section 3/Chapters 12-17 pages 115-178
Theme in this section is very important because the theme of it is is racism. The whole book is a lot about racism and in this section is where it starts to show itself the most. For example on page 119 Calpernia decides to take Scout and Jem to an all blacks church with her and one of the characters (Lula) is racist to whites.
""I felt Calpurnia's hand dig into my shoulder. "What you want, Lula?" In terms I had never heard her use. She spoke quietly, contemptuously. "I wants to know why you bringin' white chillun to nigger church." "They's my comp'ny," said calpernia." (Lee 119)
Section 4/Chapters 18-23 pages 178-227
In section 4 the theme is standing up for what you believe in or justice. Atticus took Tom Robinson's case because he believed that he was not guilty, but was convicted of being guilty because of his skin color. Also because Atticus took the case, he was being threatened (by Bob Ewell) but didn't care, and still chose to help Tom throughout the case.
"At that moment Aunt Alexandra came to the door and called us, but she was too late. it was Miss Stephanie's pleasure to tell us; this morning that Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life." (Lee 217)
Section 5/Chapters 24-26 pages 227-247
I think in this section, the theme, and what's being emphasized the most is just culture and expectations or women/feminine. Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra expect the most from Scout in being polite, dressing, and acting like a lady.
"Don't you want to grow up to be a lwayer?" Miss Maudie's hand touched mine and I answered mildly enough, "Nome, just a lady." Miss Stephanie eyed me suspiciously, decided that I meant no impertinence, and contented herself with, "Well, you won't get very far until you start wearing dresses more often." Miss Maudie's hand closed tightly in mine, and I said nothing. Its warmth was enough.
When Miss Maudie grabs and Scouts hand when she's about to speak, it is telling Scout to be careful about what she next says, hence saying that Miss Maudie does have high exceptions for Scout.
Section 6/Chapters 27-31 pages 247-281
The theme of this last section is "Realization," or youth. Youth is shown through the realization of Jem and Scout. Jem and Scout, throughout the book think that all people are, "good" (Childhood innocence) and that everyone gets along because there is no problems, and at the end of the book it transitions to the children having a more adult perspective that there actually is bad people and conflicts between people like racism.