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To Kill A Mockingbird Weakness Quotes

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To Kill A Mockingbird - Critical Essay (Topic 9)

The ideas developed by Harper Lee in To Kill A Mockingbird teaches us about how one’s response to weakness can differ from others. This must be done through the overarching symbol of To Kill A Mockingbird; the mockingbird itself. The symbol of the mockingbird can represent various ranges of bodies. For example, the mockingbird, being a bird, can represent certain figures in To Kill A Mockingbird. However, the mockingbird can also be represented in non-human bodies like the black community in Maycomb. The way these bodies represent the mockingbird and respond to weakness will be analyzed in this essay through the significant characters of Tom Robinson, Mayella Ewell, Atticus Finch and Arthur “Boo” Radley. This will be done alongside the black community which also fits the criteria needed to represent a mockingbird. Whether it be a specific individual, or a generalized body, the way that one responds to weakness determines their character and if they can be considered a mockingbird.

First, Tom Robinson’s character is indeed one that represents the mockingbird. Throughout the novel, Tom …show more content…

As to how Boo is symbolized as a mockingbird, it is said in a quote by Jem: “I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time...it’s because he wants to stay inside” (Lee, 139). This tells us that all the years that Boo has been locked inside his house was because he wanted to. The reason to why he did this is because he sees the racism and hatred towards black society and he acknowledges the fact that he cannot stop it. Therefore, he chooses to stay inside, away from the hatred. In the end, Arthur “Boo” Radley, is a symbol of the mockingbird because he is innocent and wants to be away from the cruel world and the way he responds to weakness is by ignoring it and staying in the safety of his

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