Aubrey Keeney Mrs. Tapley Literature and composition 04/15/24 A Mockingbirds Rhythm “Mockingbirds don't do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird,” a quote by Harper Lee in the story To Kill a Mockingbird. This story was first published in 1960 by Lippin & Co, and quickly became one of Harper Lee’s best sellers. The story is a southern gothic novel, taking place in Maycomb Alabama during 1933, when the great depression hit, and racism was at an all-time high. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the main characters are Scout, Jem, and Atticus Finch. Scout Finch, who is a five-year-old young lady at the beginning of the story, is very bright and sees the world through the eyes of an innocent man. She knows when to stand her ground and isn't afraid of mockery from others. Scout's older brother, Jem Finch, is ten years old when the story begins. He is already intrigued by politics and learning, though quite immature to start out. But as the book progresses, he finds his own morals and sense of …show more content…
Mayella goes on to tell her side of the story, and though Mayella comes close to admitting that Mr. Ewell beats her when he drinks, she refuses to change her testimony and admit that she wrongly accused Tom Robbinson of rape, so that she can escape the fact that she broke an important social code as a white woman tempting a black man. When the jury finally concludes, Tom’s verdict is guilty. Heaviness washes over the Finches, and Jem begins to cry. “It isn’t fair,” he manages to speak through his tears. All stand as Atticus makes his way back down the aisle, defeated. Later in the week at a Bible study, the folks at Maycomb find that Tom Robbinson had been shot dead with fifteen bullets while trying to escape