mylifesmelody
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Hi!
I have a test tomorrow where we have to write an essay on an unseen topic. Trouble is, I have never written an essay before. Our teacher gave us a practice topic as prep and here is the essay that I wrote on it:
An effective text makes sound use of characterisation and themes to convey the world around us
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is an example to an effective text. It uses the characterisation of Scout Finch, Atticus Finch and Boo Radley as well as a sound use of themes such as prejudice and bravery to convey the world around us.
Throughout the novel, the idea that we should not judge people according to their appearance or hearsay is present. Instead, we should, as Atticus Finch said to his children, try to understand people by “stepping into their shoes and looking at things from their point of view.” The emotive language in this quote demonstrates the need to judge people on more than just first impressions and also suggests that not doing so can lead to prejudice and unjust hatred. An example of this is seen through the character Arthur “Boo” Radley. He the Finches next door neighbour and a recluse, who has not been seen outside of his house for over thirty years. Due to his hermit ways and past criminal offence, the town would often gossip about him, saying that he was a stalker who peered through peoples windows at night. Even Scout and Jem, spurred on by the town’s hearsay, would often create games that portrayed Boo as some sort of terrestrial monster. “Let’s play Boo Radley!.... Jem said that he ate animals raw…..his teeth were yellow and rotten…..eyes popped and he always drooled.” The descriptive imagery conjured by the children demonstrates their fear and prejudice towards Radley, despite never having met them before. Later in the book however, when Scout finally meets Boo Radley she finds him to be quite a gentle and timid person, not anything like the monster that she had imagined him to be. After discussing the person in question to her father, he says “most people are nice once you get to know them Scout.” This quote clearly demonstrates the message that the author wants to present to us, that a person can only be judged after you understand them. Through the characterisation of Boo Radley and Atticus Finch; making Boo Radley a kind-hearted recluse and Atticus Finch a wise and just man, we are able to grasp this idea, which has thus enabled us to view the world and its people with more clarity.
The author also uses characterisation and the themes of prejudice and bravery to convey the idea that people should stick to their moral standards no matter what. To achieve this, the author has characterised Atticus Finch to be the “moral backbone” of the town. As a lawyer, Atticus shows a deep faith in the righteousness of the law “there is one place in this country where all men are treated equally…. our courts”. The words “one place” in this quote highlights the reverence that Mr Finch places in the court. He also follows the principles of dignity and fairness to all individuals, no matter what their skin colour. This is shown when Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, despite knowing that doing so would destroy his social standing within the town. This bravery is instigated by Atticus’ determination to follow his moral code. This is shown by his words “I would not be able to love and worship God if I didn’t help that man.” This quote alludes to the suggestion that if Atticus did not abide by his ethical values then he would not consider himself to be a proper man. Harper Lee also suggests that if people do not stick to their principles in the face of prejudice, convenience and cowardice then cruelty and injustice will rapidly take over. This is clearly demonstrated by deeply unjust bias and hatred against the black people that is seen in the town. Through the characterisation of Atticus Finch and the themes of prejudice and courage we are able to comprehend the idea that we need to stick to our morals. This message then further helps us to understand that there are temptations in our society and that in order to achieve justice, we need to learn to withstand these adversities. Thus the author has been able to convey the world around us.
Through the author’s clever usage of characterisation and the themes of prejudice and bravery, which are relevant to our society today, she has been able to successfully convey the world around us. Thus Harper Lee has made the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” an effective text.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is this a well-written essay? What improvements should I make to it?
Thanks!!
I have a test tomorrow where we have to write an essay on an unseen topic. Trouble is, I have never written an essay before. Our teacher gave us a practice topic as prep and here is the essay that I wrote on it:
An effective text makes sound use of characterisation and themes to convey the world around us
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is an example to an effective text. It uses the characterisation of Scout Finch, Atticus Finch and Boo Radley as well as a sound use of themes such as prejudice and bravery to convey the world around us.
Throughout the novel, the idea that we should not judge people according to their appearance or hearsay is present. Instead, we should, as Atticus Finch said to his children, try to understand people by “stepping into their shoes and looking at things from their point of view.” The emotive language in this quote demonstrates the need to judge people on more than just first impressions and also suggests that not doing so can lead to prejudice and unjust hatred. An example of this is seen through the character Arthur “Boo” Radley. He the Finches next door neighbour and a recluse, who has not been seen outside of his house for over thirty years. Due to his hermit ways and past criminal offence, the town would often gossip about him, saying that he was a stalker who peered through peoples windows at night. Even Scout and Jem, spurred on by the town’s hearsay, would often create games that portrayed Boo as some sort of terrestrial monster. “Let’s play Boo Radley!.... Jem said that he ate animals raw…..his teeth were yellow and rotten…..eyes popped and he always drooled.” The descriptive imagery conjured by the children demonstrates their fear and prejudice towards Radley, despite never having met them before. Later in the book however, when Scout finally meets Boo Radley she finds him to be quite a gentle and timid person, not anything like the monster that she had imagined him to be. After discussing the person in question to her father, he says “most people are nice once you get to know them Scout.” This quote clearly demonstrates the message that the author wants to present to us, that a person can only be judged after you understand them. Through the characterisation of Boo Radley and Atticus Finch; making Boo Radley a kind-hearted recluse and Atticus Finch a wise and just man, we are able to grasp this idea, which has thus enabled us to view the world and its people with more clarity.
The author also uses characterisation and the themes of prejudice and bravery to convey the idea that people should stick to their moral standards no matter what. To achieve this, the author has characterised Atticus Finch to be the “moral backbone” of the town. As a lawyer, Atticus shows a deep faith in the righteousness of the law “there is one place in this country where all men are treated equally…. our courts”. The words “one place” in this quote highlights the reverence that Mr Finch places in the court. He also follows the principles of dignity and fairness to all individuals, no matter what their skin colour. This is shown when Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, despite knowing that doing so would destroy his social standing within the town. This bravery is instigated by Atticus’ determination to follow his moral code. This is shown by his words “I would not be able to love and worship God if I didn’t help that man.” This quote alludes to the suggestion that if Atticus did not abide by his ethical values then he would not consider himself to be a proper man. Harper Lee also suggests that if people do not stick to their principles in the face of prejudice, convenience and cowardice then cruelty and injustice will rapidly take over. This is clearly demonstrated by deeply unjust bias and hatred against the black people that is seen in the town. Through the characterisation of Atticus Finch and the themes of prejudice and courage we are able to comprehend the idea that we need to stick to our morals. This message then further helps us to understand that there are temptations in our society and that in order to achieve justice, we need to learn to withstand these adversities. Thus the author has been able to convey the world around us.
Through the author’s clever usage of characterisation and the themes of prejudice and bravery, which are relevant to our society today, she has been able to successfully convey the world around us. Thus Harper Lee has made the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” an effective text.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is this a well-written essay? What improvements should I make to it?
Thanks!!