Race
Race is probably the most important theme in this novel. The main section of the story focuses on Tom Robinson, a black man who has been taken to court for reportedly raping a white woman. The setting of the story is in Maycomb County, which is more traditional than most of the rest of the Southern United States. In fact, in Maycomb, it's not just black people who are discriminated against, white people and families are as well. Aside from the trial, the other main display of racism is Aunt Alexandra's disapproval of Calpurnia. In the 1930s, there was no recognition that African Americans felt the same emotions as white Americans, and white people were allowed to exploit and employ African Americans. Personal relationships between them were also forbidden. One horrible assumption was that "all blacks lie, that all blacks are basically immoral human beings". In the novel, Reverend Sykes mentions "I ain't ever seen any jury decide in favour of a coloured man over a white man." Atticus is fed up with Maycomb's racist attitude towards African Americans and calls this behaviour "Maycomb's usual disease". He simply does not understand "why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up". Dolphus Raymond says "the hell white people give coloured folks, without even stopping to think that they're people too". Atticus also teaches Scout "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life... There's nothing more sickening to me than a low grade white man who'll take advantage of a Negro's ignorance."
Justice and Judgment
Justice and Judgment are the second most important themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. In Maycomb's court, the ideal jury would consist of a mix of people who determine whether an offender is guilty or innocent based on the fact. However, the reality is that the jury consists of a group of white men who decide the outcome of the case before they enter the courtroom. In the novel, justice is a privilege, not a right. It seems that only white people win court cases, and even some whites are not guaranteed to win their case. Scout is 'punished' by her new teacher at school, for already being able to read. This shows how the 'new' system of teaching doesn't allow for individual difference and expects everyone to be at the same level in their education. Justice and Judgment are also explored in the novel, by how Boo Radley is treated as a young adult. His dad is not fair to Boo when he locks him inside of the house for his actions.
Youth and Innocence
Youth and innocence is a big theme in To Kill a Mockingbird, after all, the story is narrated from a child's point of view. As well as being narrated from a child's point of view, Scout's friends are children too, so readers get a child's understanding of the events in the novel. The book asks the question "are kids the mini-me versions of the adults they wish to become?" It investigates this question and suggests that while children hold onto certain traits as they move into adulthood, they lose and gain a few as well, such as losing fairness and compassion to a certain degree. It implies that these qualities are well worth trying to keep. Scout gains in maturity level throughout the novel, and begins to wonder things such as the difference between races and the stereotype of being a 'girly girl'. Jem also gains in maturity, and starts to be more protective over Scout.
Morality and Ethics
Morality and ethics are important themes investigated in the novel. Maycomb's views are quite different to Atticus'. Atticus wants everyone to have a fair trial, however Maycomb believes only white men deserve the privilege. Even though Atticus proved that Tom Robinson was not guilty of raping Mayella Ewell at the trial, the jury at the court still rule against Tom because one of the town's rules or morals, is that white people are above any black person. Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to stand up for what they believe in, however he also tells them that it may sometimes get you in trouble, even if it is the right thing to do. He also implies that if you use common sense and stand up for what you believe in, then you could end up changing your communities ways. In the end "a community's morals are the sum of what its individuals believe". During the course of the story, Scout decides on morals and ethics she believes in, with help from Atticus' teachings and Jem's explanations.
Fear
As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Fear is an important theme in the novel, as the book displays the white Americans fear of the African Americans. Fear leads to people lashing out against the factor that scares them in order to reinstall what they are familiar with. "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Yoda, from the STar Wars films is famous for this quote and it accurately sums up some of the events in To Kill a Mockingbird. Dill, Jem and Scout are only afraid of the Radley house due to their ignorance of the true Arthur Radley. However, once Scout meets him, she realises that he is actually a nice person, especially considering that he saved her and Jem's life. This fear is similar to the white Americans fear of the African Americans. The African Americans are no worse than the white Americans, but the white people just simply fear the black, because they are not used to them, and they look physically different. This theme ties in with another important theme, morality and ethics.
Women and Femininity
Women and femininity is one of the most important underlying themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout is a tomboy, who loves adventure, and she hates being called a girl. She doesn't understand why anyone would want to wear pink frilly dresses instead of playing outside, swearing and going on adventures. She believes the worst part is that they have to grow up to be ladies, and act proper and not say what they truly mean. Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie teach her that being a lady can take just as much courage as being a tomboy. However, she still prefers the life where she doesn't need to be bothered about what she wears or says, and would much prefer getting dirty and playing in trees. Throughout the novel, Aunt Alexandra attempts to convert Scout's way of thinking, so that Scout can see the positives of being a lady and wearing dresses, however it does not work. Atticus does not mind her being a tomboy, as long as she is happy, and he respects her attitude.
Family
Family is a very important theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. their families history and the children's ancestors determine people's future in a small town such as Maycomb County. Many parents raise their children to be like them, and have the same morals. However, some parents don't and attempt to let their children make their own future for themselves. Sometimes in these cases, community pressure gets to the children and the expectations to uphold family reputation is too strong to resist. Although this attitude can be comforting as it is familiar, it proves hard to make a change to family expectations as Atticus found out when he became a lawyer and supported Tom Robinson, a black man. In the Finch household, Calpurnia is treated like family, which is important for her, and it also represents Atticus' morals. The people that live on the street Scout resides on, seem to be close with one another and support each others decisions, except the Radley family of course.
Compassion and Forgiveness
Compassion and forgiveness are shown several times throughout the novel. Compassion is the most important lesson Atticus teaches Jem and Scout. An example of forgiveness is when Scout beats up Walter Cunningham in the school yard. Jem decides to invite him for dinner, because he knows in his heart that Walter is actually a good person. Walter forgives Scout over dinner, even when she proceeds to make fun of his eating habits. Another example of forgiveness is when Boo Radley forgives Jem and Scout for thinking he is a 'monster' of sorts. Jem and Scout also realise he is not, when they finally meet him after he saved their lives.