Catherine Ornelas Instructor Ms.

Peterson English 1 26 November 2013 Appearances theme in To Kill a Mockingbird

Catherine 1

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee wants readers to walk away with a better understanding of Appearances dont always reflect on reality. Of the many themes relevant to today, this is the primary theme of the novel. Appearances dont always reflect on reality is the most significant theme because everyone should know to not judge someones appearance based on what they see or hear about them. Lee clearly underlines/emphasizes/illustrates this theme as the most critical/ crucial when the kids thought Boo Radley was a psycho based on what they hear about him. Jem and scout start realizing strange things going on about Boo Radley that they dont seem to understand. Jem and scout then realize Boo Radley is a generous person after all. Lees most prevalent/obvious/striking example of Appearances dont always reflect on reality is when He eats Squirrels and rats for dinner (Lee 16). Jem and scout make up stories about Boo Radley based on what they hear about him. This is significant because Scout and Jem are judging Boo Radley based on what they have heard about him and they dont know if its true or not. When readers encounter this statement they are able to connect to Lees message because they would be able to see the unnecessary things they make up about Boo Radley. Another prominent/critical example of Appearances dont always reflect on reality is when, When I went back they were folded across the fence like they were expectin me (Lee 78). Jem was informing scout about how he left his pants at the fence of Boo Radleys, and that his pants were folded by the fence for him. This is noteworthy because Jem is realizing strange things going on about Boo Radley, and Jem doesnt seem to understand whats going on. Perhaps Lee chose to include this event in the plot to show readers that you shouldnt judge on someone or make up stories about them, that you should first realize your surroundings in order to understand what happening in reality. Another illustrates/critical example of Appearances dont always reflect on reality is when, I pulled out two small images carved in soap, one figure was the figure of a boy, and the other wore a crude dress.(Lee 80) In this occasion Jem and scout go to Boo Radleys tree and find gifts that were left them. This is worth mentioning because Jem and scout were surprised what was left in the tree of Boo Radleys house. Lee made this connection to make the readers understand that Jem and scout are realizing Boo Radley might not be a bad person after all.

Lees message about Appearances dont always reflect on reality is important because once in a while people might judge based on what they see or hear. Some might often not know whats happening in reality because they dont understand their surroundings. Readers should know whats to believe and whats not to believe in any occasion they are in. Readers can apply lees message in their own lives by not judging on someone or not to make up unbelievable things about that person. Everyone should know whats happening in reality and see whats going on their surroundings in order to understand better.

Work Cited Lee, Harper . To Kill A Mockingbird. Grand Central Publishing, print.