~Mockingbird Motif~

Through reading To Kill a Mockingbird I got to understanding the literary elements that we have been learning in English. One of these elements being motif. In To Kill a Mockingbird the motif of the novel is actually killing a mockingbird. This basically symbolizes doing something wrong to someone who doesn't deserve it. There are a few examples of this in the novel. One being repeatedly shooting Tom Robinson to kill him for escaping when really one would have done the job. Another Example is when there is an argument about whether Boo Radley should be put to trial for killing Bob Ewell. Even though he did it to save the Finch kids.

This novel has helped me understand what the definition of motif is by showing clear and obvious examples. All through the book, the characters would say, "This is just like killing a mockingbird." Many of the themes have to do with bad behavior of one person to another. These being hypocrisy, prejudice, and racism. The motif shows how strongly theses problems are in a southern community and with people in the time in general.

~Life Lesson~

Through out my life there has been one lesson that has been repeated over and over to me, whether it was intentional or not. This lesson is that things happen for a reason. I know it sounds sort of obvious, like everyone knows that. But for me it was a big lesson and a very reassuring one. The lesson would usually pop up when I would feel bad or angry about something that has happened, and my mom would just say " Things happen for a reason." It would also come up when bad things would happen to others in my family, and I would hear my grandma or mom tell them the same thing they tell me.

I still hear this lesson from my wiser family members. in some ways the lesson makes me feel better. I learned not to dwell on little things. I learned to just look on the bright side and move on. It also makes me feel better because if bad things happen in my life or to those I care about, I can just know that this was meant to happen and there is a silver lining.This lesson as I mentioned before is big one that I have learned, and I am glad that I live by this lesson because it has taught me many important things that will help me get on through life.