Literature is one of the most engaging ways for a reader to spend time and reflect upon issues the author presents. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee describes the concerns that arose in her life, which taught her lessons about life in general. These lessons develop into her themes. In To Kill A Mockingbird, one of the major theme statements is, "hypocrisy and prejudice are hard to detect in one's own behavior." An additional theme reflects back to the title of the novel, "it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." The final theme, which Atticus Finch uses as the basis for his life, " the best way to understand a person is "to stand in his shoes." .
Hypocrisy and prejudice are hard to detect in one's own behavior. For instance, Scout and Jem think that they know all that is possible about Arthur "Boo" Radley. They believe the myths about their neighbor, Arthur Radley, that something goes wrong in the town, it is his fault. Aunt Alexandra insists on living with the Finches because she is convinced that they are not being brought up properly. She feels that Scout needs a better role model than Calpurnia, the maid. Aunt Alexandra is being prejudice against Calpurnia because she is black and thus she can not teach the children correctly. An additional case occurs when Scout talks to Mr. Cunningham outside the jailhouse. It takes an eight year old girl to make Mr. Cunningham and the other men realize that what they are doing is wrong and that every person should be treated with proper respect. One more example occurs when Scout finds a stick of chewing gum in the tree outside Boo Radley's house. Jem tells her that by even touching the trees on the Radley lot, she would die. They are judging Boo Radley and they do not even know him. "Don't you know you"re not supposed to even touch the trees over there? You"ll get killed if you do!"(33).
It is a sin to kill a mockingbird. For example, Mr.
