Transcript Critical Analysis: An Example

From To Kill a Mockingbird
In a Critical Analysis of Theme Essay, you must
prove how a theme is displayed throughout a
novel, using specific examples from the text.
To do this, you will use embedded quotations,
which are exact lines from a written
document.
In your case, the written document is
To Kill a Mockingbird.
You may choose ONE of the following 6
themes:
 Prejudice
 Courage
and Cowardice
 Deceptive Appearances
 Loss of Innocence
 Justice
For this example, I’m going to use a theme
that’s not an option: Poverty.
In my essay, I will prove how poverty is present
throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by using
specific examples and direct quotations from
the book.
Please notice that the above is NOT an
example of a good thesis.
Before writing my thesis, I need to get my
thoughts together about my topic. I’ll quickly
write a loose outline:
1. Intro, ending in thesis statement.
2. Poverty is displayed in respectable, poor,
white farmers.
3. Poverty is displayed in unemployed “guests of
the county.”
4. Poverty is displayed through black citizens in
Maycomb.
5. Conclusion about how the theme of poverty is
present throughout To Kill a Mockingbird.
The theme of poverty is displayed throughout
To Kill a Mockingbird by many types of
people: white rural farmers, unemployed
white citizens, and the black population of
Maycomb County.
Choose short, concise quotes that can be
explained in depth.
Ask yourself, "How does this quote
demonstrate _____________ (your theme)?”
* If you can't answer this question, choose
another quote!
 End
each quotation with the author’s last
name and page number (Lee 29).
 The period goes AFTER the parenthesis
because the quotation isn’t finished without
the citation.
 Introduce and/or conclude EVERY quotation
with your own words.
 Include only the most important part of the
quotation so you don’t waste time writing
unnecessary words.
 Use “Text” for Lee’s descriptions
 Use “‘Text’” for character’s words.
 Wrong:
Mrs. Maudie explains That’s why it’s
a sin to kill a mockingbird.

Correct: Mrs. Maudie explains, ‘“That’s why it’s
a sin to kill a mockingbird’” (Lee 98).
 Wrong:
Scout reflects Mayella Ewell must
have been the loneliest person in the world,
something she has not considered before.

Correct: Scout reflects, ‘“Mayella Ewell must
have been the loneliest person in the world,’”
something she has not considered before (Lee
256).
Notice there are a couple of ways to embed or “set up”
quotations.
1.
Text, “Quotation” (Last Name #).
Ex: Scout can sense the level of respect the black
community has for her father when Rev. Sykes says, ‘“Miss
Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’” (Lee 211).
2.
Text, “Quotation,” more text (Last Name #).
When Tom stands up, “His left arm was fully twelve inches
shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side,” and it is
obvious that he cannot have been the one who attacked
Mayella (Lee 186).
3.
“Quotation,” text (Last Name #).
“’Atticus doesn’t drink whiskey,’” Scout proclaims as she
attempts to have an adult conversation with Miss Maudie
about foot-washin’ Baptists (Lee 45).
 Be
certain to introduce WHO says the quote.
 Example 1: He comments, “Tell them I’m
very grateful…tell them they must never do
this again. Times are too hard…” (Lee 213).
 Example 2: “Tell them I’m very grateful…tell
them they must never do this again. Times
are too hard…” Atticus comments (Lee 213).
 Avoid







overusing the word SAYS:
Explains
Asks
Begs
Relates
Exclaims
Protests
Reflects
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, poverty is
displayed in respectable, poor, white farmers. One
family included in this group is the Cunninghams.
Near the beginning of the novel Scout defines her
friend Walter’s situation by thinking, “He didn’t
forget his lunch, he didn’t have any. He had none
today nor would he have any tomorrow or the next
day. He had probably never seen three quarters
together in his life” (Lee 20). Later, while discussing
the Cunninghams with Atticus, he adds, “The
Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the
crash hit them the hardest…acres not entitled were
mortgaged to the hilt, and the little cash he made
went to interest” (Lee 21). Because of the Great
Depression, an entire class of hardworking people
had very little money, which leads to great debts and
extreme financial burden.
The opposite of respectable low-income white people
are unemployed “guests of the county” who also live in
poverty. They live in poverty by choice, as they never
make any attempt to find employment. Scout explains,
“No economic fluctuations changed their status – people
like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity
as well as in the depths of the depression” (Lee 170).
Most wealthy citizens feel compassion for low income
citizens like the Cunninghams, but their compassion for
people like the Ewells is inconsistent. It seems that they
would rather give them pity and handouts at holidays than
the consistent help they obviously need. Atticus
recognizes that people feel more sympathy towards the
children on the Ewell property than for Mr. Ewell himself.
He tells Scout, ‘“when a man spends his relief checks on
green whiskey his children have a way of crying from
hunger pains’” (Lee 31). The Ewell house and children are
so filthy that they are described as living like animals.
Another group who lives in poverty are the black
citizens of Maycomb. Scout and Jem notice the
economic situation of the black community when they
visit the First Purchase Church. The church is described
as, “unceiled and unpainted within. Along its walls
unlighted kerosene lamps hung on brass brackets; pine
benches served as pews…there was no sign of piano,
organ, hymnbooks, (or) church programs…” (Lee 120).
This is just one time Scout and Jem notice the economic
differences. They also notice the impoverished living
conditions of the black people when they drive by the
“negro cabins” near the dump. Atticus also
acknowledges the extremity of the situation when he
starts crying upon receiving so much food after the
trial. He comments, ‘“Tell them I’m very grateful…tell
them they must never do this again. Times are too
hard…’” (Lee 213). The Depression causes economic
stress on all families in Maycomb County, regardless of
race.