To Kill a Mockingbird literary essay
Your task is to write an essay that is 4-6 pages in length. You should include a title page
and a works cited (MLA format). For help with formatting or with essay
writing/organization a good website is the OWL site which is the online writing lab at
Perdue University (just search OWL and it will come up).
Topics:
1. Historical/Biographical criticism: Examine how the world of the author Harper
Lee impacted the story of To Kill a Mockingbird.
a. Notes: Harper Lee wrote this novel in the 1960s – civil rights movement
b. The story is set in the 1930s – great depression.
c. Look into how Lee’s world was shaped and how this can be seen in the
novel.
2. Historical: Compare the events of To Kill a Mockingbird with the events of the
Scottsboro Boys. How are these events similar and how do they differ.
a. Notes: The Scottsboro boys had a trail that has some parallels to Tom’s
trial. You will have to do some research here.
3. Feminist criticism: How are women portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird?
a. Notes: Be sure to analyze why women are portrayed as they are. What is
the author’s message?
b. What are the expectations of Scout?
c. How are the other women portrayed and how do they see Scout.
4. Symbolism: Examine the theme of the mockingbird.
a. Notes: More than one character can be considered a mockingbird.
b. Be sure to establish what is meant by it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.
5. Examine the theme of racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.
a. Notes: You may want to tackle the use of racial slurs in the novel (why are
they used and how are they used)
b. You can compare the treatment of the people in Maycomb to the
references to Hitler.
6. Examine the theme or idea of practicing what you preach.
a. Notes: Be sure to give examples and non examples of this.
b. example: Atticus not being able to look his children in the face if he didn’t
defend Tom.
c. Non-example – Aunt Alexandra’s missionary group / Scout’s teacher
when talking about Hitler and democracy.
7. You are also welcome to discuss an original topic with me. Be sure to talk to me
before you get too involved with it.
Evaluation:
Your essay will be assessed according to the six traits of writing rubric.