Kristin's+Essays

= Essay Assignment = = To Kill A Mockingbird = = Mrs. Frew/Language Arts 8A = Over the next two weeks you will write a five paragraph (or longer) analytical essay about //To Kill A Mockingbird//. Choose one of the topics listed below Guidelines: o Include at least two quotes from the text for supporting evidence. Other supporting evidence should be well paraphrased. Make sure that most of the writing is your own analysis and not supporting material from the text. o Name, date and period o Times New Roman, 12 point font o Give your essay a catchy title that indicates what it will be about. Essay Topics
 * Fear is a major motivator in the novel, particularly the fear that society will change and African Americans will attain greater status in society. Choose up to three characters who are motivated by this fear and discuss how their racism manifests in the novel. How is their fear destructive to themselves or those around them? In your conclusion you may want to discuss how this fear affects the community of Maycomb.
 * // To Kill a Mockingbird // contains numerous life lessons, such as the need to empathize with other’s situations (walk in someone else’s shoes) before making judgments. Clearly identify one life lesson the novel teaches and explain at least three ways in which that lesson is communicated by identifying and analyzing specific events in the book. In your conclusion, explain why this lesson is significant and applicable to every day life.
 * Choose one character in the novel and chart that character’s transformation. First establish the character’s outlook at the novel’s beginning, then identify and discuss at least three situations in which the character shows signs of change. In your conclusion, state clearly how and why this character has changed. For instance, Jem’s  outlook on human behavior changed and he developed a new understanding of social hierarchy. How is his outlook affected by the trial and events surrounding it?
 * Atticus acts courageously in the novel and teaches not only his children, but also the folks in Maycomb County, an important lesson about self-respect and respect for others. Write an essay in which you discuss Atticus’ role as hero in the novel and identify three clear instances where he is courageous. (Be sure to be more specific than simply pointing out that he took on a difficult trial. At what points before, during and after the trial does Atticus display courage?) In your introduction, be sure to define courage and/or hero. In your analysis, be sure to discuss the impact Atticus’ courage has on others.
 * Discuss the author’s portrayal of the black community and the characters of Calpurnia and Tom Robinson. Are they realistic or idealized? Why would Harper Lee choose to portray these characters the way she does?


 * Atticus knows that he will lose the trial before he begins. He also knows that taking the case, and actually making a case could potentially have a devastating effect on his family and influence how people in Maycomb treat them permanently. Why does he choose to try the case anyway.


 * Analyze the author’s treatment of Boo Radley. How do Jem and Scout's views of Boo Radley change during the book? What is his role in the novel? Why did Lee include this subplot in the novel and how does it strengthen or weaken the book?
 * Atticus tells the children several times that they need to walk in someone else's shoes before judging the person. Describe times when Atticus, Scout or Jem walk in someone else's shoes. How does this change how they view the situations?
 * At one point Jem describes four kinds of "folks" in Maycomb County:"our kind of folks don't like the Cunninghams, the Cunninghams don't like the Ewells, and the Ewells hate and despise the colored folks." What does //To Kill a Mockingbird// teach us about how people cope with issues of race and class? Do you classify people in your world as different "folks?" Do you see those distinctions today?
 * At the end of the book, Scout says that telling people Boo Radley committed the murder would have been "sort of like shootin' a mockingbird." What does that mean? Do you agree that Boo is like a mockingbird?
 * In the last few lines of __To Kill a Mockingbird__ Scout says, "he was real nice..." and Attiucus replies, "most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." Do you agree that most people in the novel are nice once you see them? How is Atticus able to see the good side of people despite all he has experienced? Can you?

Deadlines: Tuesday, May 15th- Topic Chosen Wednesday, May 16th- Brainstorming due Thursday, May 17th- body paragraphs due> very rough Friday, May 18th- intro and conclusion due> very rough Mon-Wed, May 21-23- conferences/ revisions Thursday, May 24th- Final draft due
 * __Writing conferences- week of May 14th and 21st. All students must have a writing conference or turn in a draft for feedback before the final deadline__**