Motif

After learning the term motif for the summer assignment, I had an extremely basic understanding of the word but I didn't necessarily know of specific examples. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird has an obvious motif, and one that most definitely gave me a better idea of how much motif can enhance a novels theme and meaning. In this book, it would have been impossible to completely understand the theme of innocence, which was something that many of the characters had, and ended up being one of the main components of the story.
In the novel, the mockingbird was the motif, and it was that killing a mockingbird is a sin because it is such an innocent creature. Tom Robinson was an example, because he didn't rape Mayella Ewell, but was convicted of it anyways. This enriched both the theme of innocence and prejudice. Another example was of Boo Radley, on the night of Halloween, Bob Ewell attacked Jem and Scout, and because they were young children they had little defense. Boo Radley stabbed Bob Ewell, saving both Jem and Scouts lives. After this, Atticus didnt want to lie to the justice system and wanted to turn in Boo, but Scout understood that taking Boo Radley to court was the equivalent to killing a mockingbird. This use of motif demonstrated the idea of the maturity theme, and obviously innocence.

Symbolism

These overalls represent that the main character Scout is not a typical girl. Throughout the story, she always runs around with her older brother Jem and friend Dill. Scout is a young girl, and usually people have the sterotype that all little girls are quiet and play with dolls, but Scout is quite the opposite and is always active and curious.

Life Lessons

From the moment I began school my mom constantly gave me the best advice, and still does, sometimes I don't know what I would do without her input. One of the sayings she constantly told me when I was younger was "Dont sweat the small stuff." This was usually spoken when someone around me was having a bad attitude or I was somehow involved in drama that was unnecessary and in somehow I was upest about it. At the time, I remember it being hard to understand how I could possibly forget and issue I was going through at school, but now I have a completely different view.


This particular saying I remember almost daily because there is absolutely no reason to fall into the drama and fights that most girls thrive on. I know now, that in a friend you don't want someone judgmental or dramatic because these types of people really do like to cause problems and bring you down to make themselves feel like a better person. The types of arguments that occur in high school are extremely pointless and honestly are the absolute least important thing I could deal with, which is why I don't sweat it when people act in certain ways. There are many more important things I focus on such as, school work, the friends that matter, and family. I now really understand the importance of my moms saying. So I remember that if I don't sweat the small stuff, I will be able to get through life a little easier.