In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many recurrences of the theme of reason
vs. madness. An all too familiar scene is when the mad Tim Johnson is seen "moseyin'" down the road
by Jem and Scout and is put out of his misery by Atticus, who at first is reluctant to take the sho
t. This scene not only strengthens Atticus' character, but sets a prime example of how reason takes
on the madness of the situation. This same theme is repeated in different forms throughout the nov
el and is very important as it serves to control other themes of the novel such as innocence. One of
the most obvious recurrences of this theme takes place at the Tom Robinson trial. Tom is convicted
of raping a young white woman although he never actually committed any crime. Tom can bee seen as
a parallel to Tim Johnson in a way because both are the objects of "madness" in each case. Like Tim
, Tom did not mean any harm, and what happened to him was completely out of his hands. This courtho
use trial is also paralleled by another incident, the jail house mob. The mob gathers out of the ha
te they feel towards Tom, which is aroused by their blind prejudice, but there is reason in this mad
ness. The pure innocence of the children convinces the angry crowd to look upon the situation in a
different way, to overcome their ignorance by seeing truth. Atticus realizes that a change of heart
has taken place and comments: "So it took an eight-year old child to bring 'em to their senses, did
n't it?" The reason in all the madness, whether it be in the courthouse, at the jail house, or on t
hat lonesome street, is the simple yet honest mind of a child. The only other characters that show
this trait beside the Finch children and Dill, are Atticus and Miss Maudie. Honesty is what Atticus
knows best, and even while aiming at Tim Johnson, ready to pull the trigger, Atticus remembers his
childhood and is honest to himself as he promises never to kill unless it is completely necessary.
It is this innocence that makes Atticus ignorant of prejudice, and Maudie ignorant of society's immo
rality. Even though this theme of reason vs. madness is not often taken as important, it is actually
very relevant to the development of other aspects of the novel, such as the theme of innocence. Fo
r each incident in which chaos is present, whether physically or mentally, there is reason that stan
ds as its foe. Most importantly is that presence of childlike innocence that breaks the barrier bet
ween justice and morality; that which separates reason from madness and truth from fallacy.
novel
kill mockingbird harper there many recurrences theme reason madness familiar scene when johnson seen
moseyin down road scout misery atticus first reluctant take shot this scene only strengthens atticu
s character sets prime example reason takes madness situation this same theme repeated different for
ms throughout novel very important serves control other themes novel such innocence most obvious rec
urrences this theme takes place robinson trial convicted raping young white woman although never act
ually committed crime seen parallel johnson because both objects madness each case like mean harm wh
at happened completely hands courthouse trial also paralleled another incident jail house gathers ha
te they feel towards which aroused their blind prejudice there reason pure innocence children convin
ces angry crowd look upon situation different overcome their ignorance seeing truth atticus realizes
that change heart taken place comments took eight year child bring their senses didn whether courth
ouse jail house that lonesome street simple honest mind child only other characters that show trait
beside finch children dill miss maudie honesty what knows best even while aiming johnson ready pull
trigger remembers childhood honest himself promises never kill unless completely necessary innocence
makes ignorant prejudice maudie ignorant society immorality even though often taken important actua
lly very relevant development other aspects such each incident which chaos present whether physicall
y mentally there stands most importantly presence childlike breaks barrier between justice morality
which separates from truth from fallacyEssay, essays, termpaper, term paper, termpapers, term papers
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