"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee and "Anthem" by Ayn Rand ?

Question

For summer reading i had these two books and now have to discuss, synthesize, compare and contrast the discrimination of the characters in the novels or specific elements of the societies in the novels. And explain what they teach us about humankind, but am having a little trouble. If you have read these two books would you please help me out, not give my the awnser, only a few pointers.

Answer 1

Hi Ava,

They are both excellent books.  Assuming you have read both of them, here are some questions to get you started:

How do the protagonists of Mockingbird and Anthem react to their society's norms?  Do they conform to them or do they do something different?

Are the protagonists more interested in fitting in with their peers, or are they more individualistic?

What kind of discrimination does Atticus Finch encounter in his society?  What kind of discrimination does Equality 7-2521 encounter?  Is it even discrimination?  (Can you discriminate against a being who is not recognized as an individual?)  How do they each react to it?

What makes Atticus a hero?  What about Equality?

Which society would you rather live in?  Why?

What would you have done in each of the protagonist's place?  Which decision do you think is more difficult?  Why - what does that say about those societies?

Should be an interesting essay - good luck with it!