The story is set in the 1930s; it occurs during the Great Depression (economic crisis) and before the Civil Rights Movement. It is primarily about the social problems associated with racism and prejudice towards African Americans.
The title “To kill a Mockingbird” is derived from the saying that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds do nothing but sing their hearts out for humans. This moral tells the reader that it is not just immoral but sinful to kill the innocent Tom Robinson. Scout Finch reflects on the story as an adult and describes the trial and effects on her from a child’s point of view and this is why “To kill a Mockingbird” can be considered a ‘bildungsroman’.
Education mainly occurs outside of school, when Atticus teaches his children morals, manners and how to interact with society. He teaches Scout to fight with her words. Through their deep connection to Calpurnia, the children do not hold any prejudices towards African American people. Calpurnia teaches Scout how to write and read before she starts school. Concerning her behaviour and appearance, Scout is taught by Aunt Alexandra to be a Southern Belle instead of a tomboy. Scout is confronted with the question of what it means to be a lady.
Innocence is represented through the symbol of the mockingbird which is projected on to Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Both are harmless and helpful, but victims of extreme prejudice. Tom is disadvantaged because of his skin colour, and Boo because of his absence. Tom is committed even though all proof is against his accusers and Boo is accused of all crimes in Maycomb. Both can be seen as scapegoats of Maycomb society.
Prejudice is the most central theme in "To kill a Mockingbird". Maycomb society holds a lot of prejudices, especially towards African Americans. In the trial, the racial prejudices come to the forefront when Tom Robinson is accused for simply being black. People are treated differently because of their racial and social status. In school, each child is reflecting the characteristics and prejudices of their parents. The Cunninghams do not take any money they cannot pay back and the Ewells are seen as white trash.
In addition, Maycomb discriminates against the Radley family, especially against Arthur Radley, around whom there are many rumours, which make him a mysterious person for Scout, Dill and Jem. The children are afraid of him at first because they have been influenced by the gossip. Later, their relationship to Boo develops into a close friendship.
"To kill a Mockingbird" criticises racism in the context of segregation. An innocent man is accused because of his skin colour. He is already doomed when the Ewells decided to take advantage of him. Tom Robinson dies because he shows Mayella compassion. The novel was published in the times of the Civil Rights Movement and when racial segregation was extreme in the South and Jim Crow laws were still upheld. Sexual relationships between a black and a white person were unthinkable. Mayella knew she broke a code and in order to cover up her own guilt, she takes advantage of Tom.
Scout represents both the gender struggles she faces and the initiation process she is going through. Scout dresses like a boy and her only company is that of Jem and Dill. She is rebellious and can be compared to a tomboy, something Aunt Alexandra does not want her to be. Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to be a Southern Belle, which does not go well with Scouts character. Jem is also dealing with struggles of initiation and the process of becoming mature. They are confronted with guilt and the evil results of societal conflicts and inequality. The children go through a process of self-discovery and take large steps towards adulthood.
The movie "To kill a Mockingbird" received many awards and it followed the novel closely. Nevertheless, a book can accomplish what a movie cannot and vice versa. An audience can easily follow a storyline through a visual medium like film; however, it is more difficult to represent and reproduce the first-person narrator. A scene is perceived objectively rather than from Scout’s point of view, so it is easier to reproduce Scouts specific point of view in the novel. In addition, a film allows the audience to directly visualise the characters.
In addition, the novel describes scenes that are absent from the film. Aunt Alexandra is not present in the film, so Scout’s gender issues do not really come to the forefront. In contrast, the movie introduces Tom Robinson’s father who is not mentioned in the novel. The important court scene in the novel is subsequently shortened in the film and some aspects are not included. Furthermore, the lives of African Americans are less explored.