RJ Spruhde
Mr. Cutillo
English 9 W1
?? June 2024
An Essay with a Creative, Thought-Provoking Title
Have you ever thought about the innocent people in society who are often hurt by other people’s actions? In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the idea that it is particularly sinful to hurt innocent people is shown multiple times. In the scene where Atticus tells Jem never to kill a mockingbird, Lee uses symbolism and characterization to develop her theme.
Symbolism is used throughout the book to show the theme. An example is when “Atticus said to Jem one day, ‘...remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’” Later in the book, the reader realizes that the mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley. He is a shy man who stays in his house all the time,
In the novel, author Harper Lee uses a great deal of symbolism. Symbolism means the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Each three of the symbols will either tie with morality, justice, or ethics. The novelist uses symbols like the Mockingbird, Atticus, and Bob Ewell to understand the greater themes of the novel.
In the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee focuses on the childhood events from Jean Louis’ point of view. Also known as Scout. Throughout the story the book portrays certain characters as a symbol of the mockingbird. Furthermore, those characters are Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo (Arthur) Radley. These characters are good examples of mockingbirds throughout the novel.
Mockingbird, a southern novel, Harper Lee uses the characterization of Atticus and Boo Radley. Lee also uses the symbolism of the mockingbird in her book. Both the characters and the symbolism show that innocence should be defended rather than attacked. To begin with, Atticus develops the theme by defending his children from racism and, also, defending Tom in court despite all the struggles.
In To Kill A Mockingird, Lee uses symbolism. She uses symbolism to teach lessons throughout the novel. In Harper Lee’s highly successful novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee uses many symbols throughout the novel. The most important symbol has to do with the title of the novel.
The poet, Lascelles Abercrombie once said, “There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into unity; and that is, an ability to see in particular human experience some significant symbolism of man 's general destiny.”. He talked about how powerful of a tool symbolism is and how it is the only thing that can truly define a highly complex ‘destiny’ or series of events. Symbolism is something that is found throughout Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee shows the reader that racism is a product of society,she portrays the matter through her symbolism of the mad dog, the birds and the bugs.
While the plot itself contributed to the many themes in the book, author’s craft held a major role in piecing together in the novel. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee includes a myriad of metaphors to contribute to themes of courage, inequality, and understanding the perspective of others and doing so, confronting society’s ideals.
Catherine Comrie Mrs. Riordan Honors English 22 November 2022 The Song of Freedom: Symbolism and Meaning in To Kill a Mockingbird Many attempts have been made throughout the years to turn successful novels into successful films. This was also the case with the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee.
Samuel Donahey Mr. Watson Academic English 9, Block 5 15 January 2023 The Catastrophe of the Mad Dogs in To Kill a Mockingbird Despite its considerable age, Harper Lee’s book To Kill A Mockingbird has kept an important role in literature because of its excellent symbolism, characters, and incredibly detailed setting. One of these symbols is that of the mad dog, which displays antagonism and discrimination, and another is the disease which corrupts the ‘mad dogs’. Tim Johnson, the origin of these symbols, had gone mad because of rabies and threatened the Finches by its approach before being shot by Atticus. Other notable characters which fit this role include Mayella and Bob Ewell.
In Harper Lee’s historical fiction novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, two children live in a chaotic world of racial injustice and poverty. In this book, two siblings named Jem and Scout Finch grow and mature in a mysterious area of people battling and supporting racism. Throughout this book, Harper Lee uses symbolism to provide the view of racism. While doing this, she also uses selective choices of diction to shape the story. Harper Lee wrote To Kill A Mockingbird with a purpose, to bring awareness to racial injustice through hidden symbols and diction.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Mrs. Dubose has a bush of camellias in her yard. These flowers represent racism and prejudice towards black people in Macomb County. She refers to her flowers as “Snow-on-the-Mountain” that have white petals. The white petals show favoritism towards the white people in Maycomb County. In Chapter 11, Jem cuts down all the flowers with Scout’s baton.
The theme of this novel is "Not everything is the way you predict it is". I believe this thematic statement suits the story because throughout the book there are lots of surprises, and most situations don't go the way people predict they will. For example, Aunt Alexandra was first seen as mean, according to her attitude towards Scout. At the end of the book Aunt Alexandra hands Scout her overalls, as mentioned in the story, "the garments she most despised." Because she always wanted Scout to be a lady and wear dresses.
Lee uses the mockingbird as a symbol of evoking empathy in the novel. She writes, “I’d rather you shoot a tin can in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after the birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit them, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee119). Atticus is explaining to Scout to not kill the mockingbird because it’s a sin. Lee evokes empathy by using the mockingbird to symbolize innocence.
Harper Lee wants to tell us that it takes courage NOT to kill a mockingbird Courage and the symbol of the mockingbird are two of the most important, or in fact in my opinion the most important themes, which are addressed and displayed in the highly praised, but also controversial novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee. I will try to interpret these two motives and show how they are strongly connected to each other. There are many different types of courage and many people who all show it in their own personal way. If people talk about bravery and courage, they mostly think of the physical kind of courage. But there are also other kinds, which are often forgotten or cast aside by their big brother: moral and emotional courage.
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Harper Lee is a famous writer who wrote a book called To Kill a Mockingbird. In this book Lee uses symbolism. Symbolism us a literary device where the author uses objects to stand for ideas. Her most famous one is the mockingbird, to stand for innocence. Lee uses Scout Finch, Tom Robinson, And Boo Radley as mockingbirds.
Symbolism is used by many authors to convey a specific message that carries a deep meaning. In Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the primary symbol is the Mockingbird. There are numerous references to the mockingbird in the novel, which can be seen through some of the characters. The allusion of the mockingbird is used to represent the idea of innocence.