Literary Devices in
To Kill a Mockingbird
Created by the best teacher in the world
Our Task
Literary Devices:
How is the use of language, allusion, irony, and imagery used in order to develop a
theme or reveal character?
Take notes! The important information is highlighted in red!
Literary Devices Definition
Literary Device: (n) A literary device is specific language writers use to create
writing that is interesting, memorable, and vivid (can be easily imagined).
Think about literary devices as flavoring or seasoning on food!
Without flavoring or seasoning, the food would be bland, and your chicken
enchiladas would be just be chicken and tortillas.
Thus, without literary devices, writing would just be boring words on a page (not
unlike this PowerPoint)
Good writing, bad writing, and Stephanie Meyer
Examples of GOOD literary devices:
A host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and
dancing in the breeze. (Wordsworth)
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! (Shakespeare)
Good writing, bad writing, and Stephanie Meyer
Examples of BAD literary devices:
“The next day was better….and worse” - Stephanie Meyer
“Her eyes were like two brown circles with big black dots in the center” - Random
high school student
“He was as tall as a 6’3” tree.” - Random high school student
Irony
The use of words to convey a meaning
that is the opposite of its literal meaning
eg: When Miss Caroline tells Scout to
stop reading at home.
“Now you tell your father not to teach you anymore. It’s best to begin reading with
a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage-Your
father does not know how to teach.” - Miss Caroline
Still with me? If not, here’s a hedgehog in a beanie
Topic vs. Theme
Topics are often times confused with themes, but they are very different. Let’s look
at some examples...
Topic
A topic is a single word or phrase related to the
overall work of literature.
Topics in Romeo and Juliet:
Love and Free will
Topics in Batman:
Good vs. Evil
Anarchy
Theme
A theme is the writer’s comment or
perspective on a topic.
Romeo and Juliet:
Love sucks!
Batman:
There is a thin line between good and evil.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or
qualities.
Examples:
In The Hunger Games, Katniss’
Mockingjay pin symbolizes having
freedom and a spirit of your own; these
birds are also signs of resistance and
rebellion.
Mockingbird
The Mockingbird...
- Represents innocence
- Is a harmless bird that does nothing but sing
- Represents and further develops the theme of
prejudice
- Symbolizes both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson
and how, they too, symbolized innocence
- Atticus tries to teach Jem and Scout that killing a
mockingbird is a sin
I mean, just look at how cute this fat little guy is? Why
would anyone want to kill a mockingbird?
Metaphor Analysis
Metaphor is a comparison WITHOUT the use of “like” or “as.” It is usually a
comparison between something that is real or concrete and something that is
abstract.
There are THREE main metaphors that help symbolize and explain the novel’s main
themes:
1. Innocent people are being convicted for no good reason
2. Discrimination of black people from white people is wrong
3. Society is afraid of people who are “different”