Student Essay on How is To Kill a Mockingbird Effective?

How is To Kill a Mockingbird Effective?

Summary:   The opening of the film "To Kill a Mockingbird" is effective. It is effective because it introduces all of the prominent characters of the film with a flow to the scene. The use of narration is also vital to the viewer as it sets the scene of the film. Also, as shown in the opening credits, camera effects and symbolical objects are used to condense many issues and themes that are revealed to be extremely important in the film.

The opening of the film is effective in a number of ways. It is effective as it condenses many of the major themes and issues into the opening credits of the film. The use of narration and camera effects in the opening scenes of the film also reveal many major themes and issues, whilst characters which prove to be important in the film are also introduced.

The credits at the opening of the film are effective, as the viewer is presented with an aural experience. Classical piano music begins to play, which creates a vintage mood as a child is heard humming and singing. A watch is also heard ticking, which creates an impression of time passing. The music also reflects the camera shots used in the opening credits, which highlight many important issues in the film. As the objects from the box of "treasures" are all individually highlighted, a solo flute can be heard, however when all of the objects are shown in one large bird's eye view, the full orchestra is heard to represent all of the themes being portrayed at once.

Many of these objects portray major themes and issues that will be seen in the film. Children's valuables such as crayons and safety pins are presented to the viewer, which portrays the theme of childhood that is incorporated in the film. The key theme of racism is also portrayed using objects as a black marble and a white marble are seen colliding, signifying the conflict of the two races at the time. The drawing of the mockingbird which is shown being coloured in black with a white hand also shows racism as it is then "innocently" torn by the child, which is an emblem of the eventual death of Tom Robinson in the film. Pearls are shown to be valuable due to the colour of them, signifying the superiority of white people in the town. The attitude of the town is also portrayed as a whistle is shown to look like a cannon used in the American civil war. This portrays how the south refuses to change their mentality, which therefore leads to racism and sexism.

After the opening credits, the viewer is immediately introduced to the narrator. This is to show how the narrator looks upon the town in a retrospective view. The fact that the narrator is the older scout looking back is instantly established as she begins to create an impression of Maycomb as an old, close-knit town.

The visual display of the town also reflects the narrator's description of a slow, tired town as a postman and a cart are shown moving at a leisurely pace. When the camera eventually pans down to the Finch household, the narration then switches to dialogue. This is effective because, as the narrator concludes her description of the town by referring to the "Wall Street Crash," Mr Cunningham is instantly introduced holding a bag of hickory nuts. This immediately shows the effect of the crash on the town, as Mr Cunningham is unable to pay Atticus with money.

Maycomb is generally shown to be an adult dominated community, however there are indications of childhood outside the Finch household. The rubber wheel in the front yard symbolizes the fact that it is a circular story, and because Scout is first introduced swinging in the rubber wheel, we learn that the narrator is the adult scout looking back at her childhood. When Scout jumps from the wheel, this shows how her youthfulness and energy is a contrast to the slow, tired description of Maycomb. Also, the viewer establishes that Scout is the central character in the film, as she is made known first.

The theme of childhood is immediately introduced here, as Scout is presented as a young and lively six year old tomboy as she suddenly jumps from the rubber wheel and runs to tell her father of Mr Cunningham's arrival. She is seen as friendly and helpful as she greets Mr Cunningham and is keen to help him. However, she is also portrayed as unknowledgeable as she is unaware of the fact that she causes some embarrassment for Mr Cunningham when she calls Atticus to meet him. Scout is also very inquisitive and curious as she goes on to ask Atticus many questions regarding the Cunninghams. Her innocence is also shown when she fails to understand why Dill doesn't have a father.

The introduction of Jem also incorporates the theme of "growing up" as he is made known during an adolescent argument with his father. He is seen as thoughtful as he is not heard until he is spoken to. Camera shots also contribute to the presentation of Jem. This is effective because, when Jem is first seen, the viewer looks up to him and this reflects how Scout looks up to her older brother. This also shows how Atticus has to almost beg for Jem to leave the treehouse, and because Jem refuses, he is seen to be stubborn. The camera also shows how Jem looks down upon Scout and Atticus from the tree. This is symbolic of Scout looking back at this time, which is the basis of the story.

This camera shot from the treehouse is effective as it also introduces us to a new character; Dill. Dill has a different opening to Scout to reflect a different character. When Dill is first shown, the viewer looks down upon him from the tree house, whilst he seems to be lost in a collard patch. This reflects how Dill is looked down upon because he is lost in terms of relationship, as it is revealed that he has no father, and therefore an unstable family. This is shown to be a contrast to the secure family of Scout and Jem.

The superiority of Atticus is immediately shown at his introduction as the viewer looks up to him, as he is elevated at the top of some steps. This reflects how he is morally presented as a person who is looked up to. His supremacy is shown again through the fact that the white suit that he is wearing is a contrast to the common clothes of Mr Cunningham. His ability of being a good father is also highlighted in many ways during his introduction. He explains to Scout that she should be more tactful with Mr Cunningham and he is also straightforward when it comes to answering any questions Scout asks him. He is also portrayed as a considerate father who doesn't get angry when Jem refuses to leave the tree house. However, it is made known that there are aspects about Atticus that are seen as being not so strong, because his argument with Jem is based on the fact that he is "too old."

Atticus is very much in control of the family, however when he goes to work, he leaves control of the household to Calpurnia. The theme of racism is touched upon as Calpurnia is introduced last in the Finch household. Calpurnia is shown to be treated like one of the family, and she is presented as the surrogate mother as she affectionately helps Scout change her shirt when the children are being acquainted with Dill. However racism is portrayed again because, due to the streets being dominated by white people, Calpurnia only stays within the house, and therefore is seen as segregated.

Even though the portrayal of Mr Cunningham is shown to be inferior to Atticus, he is seen to be a proud man because, despite his lack of money, he is shown to pay Atticus in the only way he knows how to. This presents the theme of courage in the film, as Mr Cunningham still does his duty even though he is poor. Mr Cunningham is also portrayed as a modest and quiet man as he is keen to deliver his pay without being thanked. However, he does prove to be embarrassed when he has to encounter Atticus.

When introduced in the film, Mr Radley is presented as a mysterious and questionable man. The viewer comes to know this from Jem's description and the camera shots and sounds used to portray him. Mysterious music plays when ever Mr Radley is shown, and the fact that the camera only shows his shadows and his back also contribute in displaying a strange, curious figure.

However, the presentation of Mr Radley is a contrast to the presentation of Miss Maudie as she is portrayed to have an open and hospitable personality because she is first seen to be outdoors, in her garden. Miss Maudie is also shown as a down-to-earth neighbour of Scout and Jem as she is seen to casually speak to both of the children. She is also seen to be a loyal friend of the Finch household as Scout tells her about Jem and Atticus's argument without any hesitation. Generally, she is shown to be a supporter of Atticus as she defends the children's father when Jem complains about his abilities.

In conclusion, I do believe that the opening of the film "To Kill a Mockingbird" is effective. It is effective because it introduces all of the prominent characters of the film with a flow to the scene. The use of narration is also vital to the viewer as it sets the scene of the film. Also, as shown in the opening credits, camera effects and symbolical objects are used to condense many issues and themes that are revealed to be extremely important in the film.