Examples Of Identity In To Kill A Mockingbird

Carter Loy

Dr. O’Dell

2nd and 5th-period Advanced ELA

10 January 2023

Identity

Identity is what makes someone themselves, one of the only things stopping everyone from being almost identical. It makes up who one really is, through things such as your appearance or even actions.

In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, identity is an evident theme that shows up many times; it show how one of the main characters, Scout, changes as the novel progresses.

Through several literary elements such as characterization, conflict, and setting, Harper Lee portrays that one’s own identity is created by the experiences and people around them.

In chapter 2, Lee uses characterization and conflict to show how Scout’s identity begins to change as she starts school

Lee also uses characterization to reveal how Scout learning more about Atticus’s work is transforming her sense of self.

Atticus tells Scout, “Of course I do. Don’t say n*gger, Scout. That’s common.

Scout is starting to learn boundaries and what she can and cannot do as she grows up and gathers more knowledge, which is changing her own identity.

Scout’s identity is also changed through characterization as Alexandra tells her she needs to dress more like a real woman.

“Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants”(108).

Scout’s identity is changing as she is being pressured to act and dress like a “real woman,” even though she just wants to be like a normal kid.

Through the use of characterization and conflict, Lee shows how one’s own family and actions can change their own identity. Be specific to chapter

Lee uses Scout being in the courtroom to change her sense of self by exposing her to what her society is really

Just plain Coca-Cola?”

Scout recognizes that he is acting like he is drinking alcohol to keep others from criticizing his life, causing her to realize how sometimes you have to lie to fit in.

Scout also starts to better understand how differently colored people are being treated in their society through the use of characterization.

Scout listens when Mr. Raymond says, “Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too”(269).

Scout is comprehending how just because Tom is black, he is going to get treated much differently in the trial compared to how he would if he had a white man, starting to allow her to recognize how horrifying society really is.

Lee also makes use of conflict when Tom Robinson gets charged as guilty in court.

“Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty…guilty…guilty…guilty…”’(282).

With Tom Robinson getting charged guilty, Scout realizes that things are not always going to be right, and people will always try to lie to benefit themselves, ultimately changing how she now thinks about things.

Lee uses the courtroom to ultimately expose Scout to the real events that are going on, granting her a better understanding of her society and changing how she thinks about things