“They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (page). The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a fictional piece which captures the fictional lives of a small county set in Alabama during the 1930s. The novel takes place in Maycomb County, and is through the eyes of the narrator, Jean Louise or also known as Scout. Scout goes through her times from first to seventh grade, capturing an important turning point in their lives. During this time, a court case occurs in which a white man, Bob Ewell, accuses a black man, Tom Robinson, of raping his daughter. Throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the theme, it is a sin to harm the innocent, is seen through the symbol …show more content…
Tom is helping Mayella Ewell with the door hinges when suddenly Mayella grabs him and kisses him. Tom, an African American man, could not do much for Mayella as she was a white woman, and pushing her would land him assault charges. Mayella is caught by her father Bob, who blames it all on Tom as rape for if Mayella was convicted she would be shunned by society. Bob then takes Tom to court, and despite all of the evidence saying that Tom was not guilty he was sentenced. Numerous factors showed Tom’s innocence such as his left hand being disabled, which made sure he could not have held her down while beating her. After Tom is convicted Scout talks about Mr. Underwood’s editorial, “Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children” (323). Bob and the racist jury had harmed the innocent Tom Robinson, solely for the fact that he was a black man. As a result, he is considered a mockingbird because he was harmed even though he is innocent. Throughout the court case, his innocence was evident but regardless he was convicted. Therefore, Tom Robinson was also a mockingbird in the story because he was also an innocent
In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, a mockingbird is someone who does nothing wrong, and only does things for the good of others, and is sometimes thought of in the wrong light. Tom Robinson is a black man from Maycomb, Alabama, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a woman from the same town. Robinson is a crippled man, who only has one arm after it being destroyed in a cotton gin, and he helps Mayella with small tasks free of charge whenever he is asked. Tom
That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Through the sufferings of Tom Robinson, Jem, Scout, and Arthur “Boo” Radley, Harper Lee teaches the loss of innocence. The loss of innocence in the novel is evident during the events in the Tom Robinson trial. This was when Mayella and Bob Ewell accused Tom Robinson, a black man, of raping Mayella Ewell.
The ‘mockingbird’ of the story symbolizes several different types of innocence through different characters. One of the ‘mockingbird’ innocence types is displayed by Tom Robinson. During the closing statements in the courtroom (232), Atticus states that “the defendant is not guilty, but someone in this courtroom is.” The quote shows that Tom’s ‘mockingbird’ innocence is the innocence of not being guilty.
“...there was no ‘race problem’ for me because I had simply never thought about it”(Conine, “How a Southerner Licked Intolerance”). Harper Lee in To Kill a Mockingbird creates a similar situation by demonstrating that prejudice is a dangerous force that can change an individual’s sense of right and wrong without him or her even knowing. To Kill a Mockingbird features two siblings named Scout and Jem Finch, who are growing up in the racially-biased town of Maycomb. A black man named Tom Robinson is on trial for raping Mayella Ewell, and it seems that he is innocent. Nonetheless, a guilty verdict is delivered due to the entire jury being white men.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem, Scout, and Dill’s innocence is destroyed causing them to lose their carefree and happy self after witnessing the ignorance and racism against the African-American citizens in their hometown of Maycomb. Prior to the traumatic events, the children believe everyone in Maycomb is friendly. They did not realize the racism occurring in their town until Tom Robinson’s trial. After spectating the Tom Robinson trial, the children’s view of some of the people in their town change because of their hatred against black and the injustice in the courtroom. Tom is a black man convicted of raping a white girl and despite the evidences that are on Robinson’s side, he is found guilty and is sentenced to
Tom Robinson was one example out of many that symbolizes the “mockingbird.” He has shown innocence throughout the book, because he didn’t do anything wrong, but he was accused. Throughout the book,”TKAMB” , there has been many examples of the “mockingbird” through characters & actions. An example of innocence is when Scout asked, what rape was, to Atticus. His response being ,“rape was carnal knowledge of female by force and without consent.”
Then some people thought that Tom was innocent but the judge decided to make Tom go to prison. In the book it said that Mayella hugged and kissed Tom on the cheek. From this I can infer that Mayella is desperate and can get away with this because Tom Robinson is a black person. This reminds me of a couple southern movies I’ve watched where black people are always the first to suspect because of their color. Tom Robinson on trial for his life said Bob Ewell yelled “whore I’ll kill you” when he saw Mayella kiss Tom from the window.
Harper Lee’ novel, To Kill A Mockingbird is an explosion of literary genius surrounding one of America’s darkest hours; a time that man turned against itself and brothers waged war. The entire book revolves around a quote stating that “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This quote is both intriguing and blunt: It is a sin to harm the innocent. Throughout the book, Lee exemplifies this by using minor characters that end up playing a large role to the reader. Mayella Ewell’s character seems pretty straight-forward if you skim through the plot.
Although all the evidence pointed to Tom Robinson being innocent and the only witnesses were from unreliable and changing sources he was still convicted. This is a depiction of the death of a Mockingbird, ultimately destroying innocence and purity that resided with Tom Robinson that died when he was shot as he tried to flee from his inescapable doom. Mr. Underwood, the publisher of Maycomb 's newspaper as well as a respected all of Atticus, sadly compares Tom 's death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds...” (pg.244) stating another reference to the ever-present mockingbird
Tom Robinson is a mockingbird in that he doesn't do one thing wrong. All he does is provide help to the people he interacts with. That is exactly how he got in trouble. Tom Robinson was helping Mayella with some chores. He was humming a melody and when he chopped up the dresser drawers.
Since Tom was discriminated against and accused he can be seen as a mockingbird. Just as a mockingbird, Tom meant no harm and had a good heart with good intentions. Also the way Tom Robinson was treated can be considered a sin, just like it is to kill a mockingbird. Therefore, Tom Robinson is like the
Innocent Mockingbirds Wanted Thesis: Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Boo Radley all symbolize mockingbirds because of their traits, qualities, and actions. I. Topic Sentence: Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird because he is not harmful, he is misunderstood, and he is killed over a judgmental reason. A. Claim: Behind his skin color, Tom loved to assist others without a reward. 1. Primary Evidence: He claimed that he would Mayella Ewell without being payed by saying, “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time.
To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Mockingbirds do not cause harm or trouble; in fact their only purpose is to convince others with beautiful music. Tom Robinson’s death can easily be compared to that of a mockingbird; it did no good but also prevented no evil. Mr. Underwood chooses to write an article that basically every citizen of Maycomb can understand, and this proves to the reader the obvious connection between Tom Robinson and the symbol of a mockingbird. Mr. Underwood chooses to ignore the prominent racial barrier that separated Tom Robinson from justice, and chooses to focus on his disability instead.
In our society, innocent people, known as mockingbirds, experience prejudice in their lives. A/T: In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Background: Tom Robinson is a black person who’s was accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell which he has never done. For this reason, Atticus Finch was appointed to be his lawyer. As a result, Atticus takes a stand for him by approving his case and standing up for him, but Tom was still found guilty.
In chapters 17-24 in To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem and Scout observe their father in court defending Tom Robinson (a black man) from the accusations of the Bob Ewell (a "low grade ' ' white man). Bob Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of sexually assaulting his daughter; Mayella Ewell. Before the fate of Tom Robinson is given in the possession of the jury, both lawyers have a final attempt at convincing the jury that Tom Robinson should/shouldn 't be prosecuted. Atticus starts off his closing remarks with the fact that he believes that the case should have never come to trial and that the case "”is as simple as black and white."