The Diction of To Kill a Mockingbird
Diction is used to great effect in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Diction is threaded abundantly throughout the novel to call attention to the separation of various cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. Each individual group, from African Americans to “southern belles” has its own diction and each group uses its own personal diction to defend and represent their own way of life. Diction expresses each group’s tone and character and brings life to the novel. Diction is also used to support the novel’s theme of the injustice of racism, whether it is white against black, male against female, wealthy against poor, or educated against uneducated. One form of diction that takes place in the novel is Jem’s use of the term “mixed child” to describe the son of Mr. Dolphus Raymond, a white man who had children with a black woman. The word choice of “mixed” is not positive (indicating a lack of pureness), and that is exactly how the people treat the “mixed children.” Mixing the white and black bloodlines is frowned upon the same way that mixing the black churches and white churches or schools would be frowned upon. The South is so resistant to change, even a child of mixed color will not be accepted, or given grace of any kind. Diction is also used to reveal social injustice towards females throughout the novel. Scout uses the term “pink cotton penitentiary” to describe how she feels about being forced to act like a southern lady. She believes acting like a lady is the same as being confined to a pink prison where she is not free to do any of the “unladylike” activities she enjoys. She fights against being forced to follow tradition and resist Aunt Alexandra’s attempts to change the way she acts and thinks. This diction supports the novel’s theme of anti-racism. Blacks should not be treated differently because of their appearance, and neither should females. Each individual must be allowed independence and the freedom to be whatever they choose. Scout is desperately trying to escape, the pink (girl) cotton (south) penitentiary (prison). Another form of diction used to reveal social injustice is Scout’s description of her Aunt Alexandra. Scout explains how Aunt Alexandra uses her “royal prerogative” to arrange, advise, caution, and warn the people of Maycomb. “She never let a chance escape her to point out the shortcoming of other tribal groups to the greater glory of her own…” Aunt Alexandra believed herself to be an authority on all that occurred in Macomb and acted as if her “judgment” was that of a queen, and all her “subjects” should obey and follow her directions. She felt as if she was more important than others because her family was part of Maycomb’s “fine folks” and she was educated and wealthy. Scout uses these words to show a combination of humor and disrespect toward her Aunt’s social snobbery. The use of varied diction throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird gives the reader insight into the social and cultural divisions that occurred in the South following the Civil War. The varied diction also brings the novel humor and wit to counteract the heavy themes of racism and social injustice. Diction brings the reader into the story of Maycomb and allows us “live” through the words of each character.