The Theme Of Hidden Identities In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

A theme incorporated into the book is hidden identities that characters have that readers might not know about. When a “mad dog” comes into the neighborhood, people aren’t sure what to do about it. Atticus reveals a different side of himself, when Heck Tate, the sheriff, hands him a gun. Mrs. Maudie later says to the kids, “Forgot to tell you that besides playing the Jew’s Harp, Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time,” (Lee 98). The author developed Atticus to be a very sophisticated and proper character, readers definitely didn’t expect him to be able to shoot a gun. Not only does Atticus have a hidden identity, but also does Mrs. Dubose. After the children learn of her unexpected death, they are confused as to how

Mrs. Dubose’s death came abruptly to the children, but not to people who knew she was addicted to morphine. Atticus explains her struggle and courage throughout her life by saying, “I wanted you to see something about her. I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what,” (Lee 112). Despite the fact that Mrs. Dubose knew she would be fighting with it her whole life, she used courage to defeat her addiction. Courage shows up in multiple characters, not just Mrs. Dubose. When Calpurnia brings Scout and Jem to church, she is confronted by a lady, Lula, who doesn’t want the children there. Scout narrates saying, “When Lula came up the pathway towards us Calpurnia said, ‘Stop right there, nigger,” (Lee 119). Lula is known to be a bully and Calpurnia uses her courage to stand up herself, and others which takes a lot more

Mrs. Dubose’s death came abruptly to the children, but not to people who knew she was addicted to morphine. Atticus explains her struggle and courage throughout her life by saying, “I wanted you to see something about her. I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what,” (Lee 112). Despite the fact that Mrs. Dubose knew she would be fighting with it her whole life, she used courage to defeat her addiction. Courage shows up in multiple characters, not just Mrs. Dubose. When Calpurnia brings Scout and Jem to church, she is confronted by a lady, Lula, who doesn’t want the children there. Scout narrates saying, “When Lula came up the pathway towards us Calpurnia said, ‘Stop right there, nigger,” (Lee 119). Lula is known to be a bully and Calpurnia uses her courage to stand up herself, and others which takes a lot more