Critical Lens “The right good book is always a book of travel; it is about a life’s journey”. This quote by H. M. Tomlinson means that the people in the book grow throughout the story and can take people to different places by making them think of new ideas that go against their true thinking. I agree with the quote and interpretation. Two works of literature that help support the quote are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and “1984” by George Orwell.
Literary elements that prove the quote true are characterization, and person versus society. One literary work that proves the quote true is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch who is a lawyer in a racist town has to represent Tom Robinson who is wrongfully convicted African man. Through characterization Atticus Finch shows how he does not care about skin color and that he only cares about justice. Atticus has to try and persuade an entire town to show how color does not matter.
Atticus shows his strength by persevering through all the name calling and not giving up on his client. Through person vs. society Atticus also shows his strength by making many people change their minds about racism. Though Atticus does not win the case he is able to take people into a different mind set or place and make them think of things that they never would have thought of. Another literary work that proves the quote true is “1984” by George Orwell. Winston is an ordinary man who has different thoughts about where he lives.
Winston Smith lives in Oceania which is a place where people can not have their own thoughts or ideas because Big Brother controls everything. Through characterization Winston shows how he is strong by breaking the rules set by Big Brother. Winston breaks the rules by talking to people about rebelling and also doing things like staying out of the sight of his telescreen and having a journal to preserve history. Winston tries to overcome all these rules through person vs. society.
Winston finds people who have the same thoughts as him and want to rebel with him. Winston is unsuccessful but is able to change the thoughts of people and make them think of things they would not have ever thought. In conclusion I agree with the quote “The right good book is always a book of travel; it is about a life’s journey”. Atticus Finch and Winston Smith are not able to accomplish there goals, but are able to change the minds of many. Many people know have different thoughts then what they had..
