Themes, Characterisations and Pivotal moments in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

[LucilleS]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I hope to contribute to discussions in the future. :)
I'm in Grade 11 and our english study has brought us to the novel 'To kill a mockingbird'.
I have read the novel a few times and our class has discussed some parts of the text but I still am not clear on a lot of it.
My teacher has given us the task of identifying the themes, characterisations and pivotal moments in the novel. Some of the themes that were apparent to me were injustice, courage, inequality, racism and so forth. Here's the catch though - What I'm struggling with is how I can relate these (themes, characterisations and pivotal moments) to the society of today, as our teacher has requested.
If it is at all possible, could someone please briefly explain the ideas and list some points that make this novel still very relevant to the present time?
:) Thankyou.

Can anyone help?

[bibliophile190]

Well, all those themes are still prevalent in any modern society. We still have racism, injustice, inequality,etc. We still have racism in the American South, perhaps in a more subtle form, there are countless examples of injustice and inequality in the American justice system. Try looking at some online newspapers. You'll probably find plenty of stories.

[LucilleS]

Thankyou for your help bibliophile190. :)
That's the sort of thing I was after. I will look into that.
One other question directed at anyone who can answer it.
In the last pages of the book, Scout says 'Hey Boo'... I was thinking that this would be one of the pivotal moments in the book as she finally acknowledges him as a human being as opposed to a drooling and grotesque creature. Would it be fair to say that this event holds some relevance to the society today because there are cultures that still stuggle to gain acceptance from the public?

[novelsryou]

One aspest of Atticus's character I find interesting is him hiding, from his chilldren, the fact that he is an expert marksman. He doesn't want them to think he is a man of violence.