To Kill a Mockingbird, and other books like it, are important to examine and analyse because not only do they build literacy skills and knowledge, they also teach us about numerous issues in society, present and past. This particular book teaches us about several different issues and topics, such as parenting, psychology, morals and the legal system. It is important that we understand why the author has put these things into the text and what messages or statements he/she hopes to convey by doing so. Having different issues in novels not only makes it more fascinating but it also helps us to identify with the characters and what is going on in the story. If it were a book all about swimming, it would only be appealing to swimmers, however because it is about many different things, it attracts a wide variety of people of all ages.
             The way this book portrays how big issues are dealt with can also show us what is right and wrong. I am referring to the way black people were treated in this book by most of the town. Because Jean-Louise is the narrator of the story, we are inclined to believe what she believes, and the author has chosen to make her a non-discriminatory person. Whilst reading this novel we are seeing the world, with all its racist people and issues, from a child's point of view. Even though she is not a child when she tells the story, the story is still a view of what she saw when she was little. Because Scout (Jean-Louise) is such an intelligent girl for her age, and also very thoughtful, we try to see things as she sees them, making us realise just how terrible the world treated black people back in the 1930's.
             Growing up is a big theme for this book. Jem and Scout are both growing up in Maycomb with their father, and Scout tells us about how he (Atticus) tries hard to be a good parent. Their Aunt Alexandra tries to help with their upbringing by introducing Scout and Jem to the idea of being a lady and a ge...