Space In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee is a well-known American writer. To Kill a Mockingbird is her one andonly published novel. After published in1960, it became an immediate bestseller andwon great critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in April1961.The big success established Harper s position in American literature. She was awardedthe Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her contribution toliterature in2007.In the20th century scholars began to attach much importance to the spatiality ofhuman lives. One of the most significant contributors to space theory is MichelFoucault, a French philosopher. He contended that the epoch is the epoch of space andspace is the foundation of power. Based on the research results mentioned above, thisthesis intends to analyze To Kill a Mockingbird from the perspective of space. Thisthesis mainly probes into the physical space, the social space, and the psychologicalspace embodied in the novel. By means of Michel Foucault s philosophical thoughtson space, this thesis carefully reveals the skillful manipulation of physical space,social space and psychological embodied in To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee creates aheterotopia filled with discipline and confinement. Maycomb is the epitome of adisciplinary society. In this panoptic space, power penetrates in jurisdiction, religionand family. It applies all kinds of means to punish those who don t obey social lawsand norms. Maycomb is meticulously described panopticon. All buildings implanted inthe town looks like various cells. In probing the social space, the author tries to findout the social reasons for the rigid social hierarchy and racial discrimination inMaycomb County. Social space serves to prevent changes and keep differing kinds ofpeople in the society from interacting with one another. People who attempt to breakthe conventions inevitably suffer. Therefore, new social arrangements are urgentlyrequired. By making a comparison of the psychological space between two femalecharacters, the deep reason of their different fate is revealed.After a severe condemnation of racial prejudice and its affirmation of humangoodness, Lee appeals for harmonious coexistence of all human beings. By means ofspace theory, this thesis attempts to provide a new perspective on understanding thisclassic s artistic value.