ipl-logo

What Is The Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

214 Words1 Page

In to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the symbol of a mockingbird to represent innocence and people who only serve as a benefit, or at the very least have little to no negative effect on our society. Just as mockingbirds only exist to make music in the context of their affect on us, the characters in the story that are “mockingbirds” (Scout, Tom Robinson, Boo Radley) do not exist in the societal structure of Maycomb to any negative extent. Boo has almost no actual place in the societal structure of Maycomb, aside from being an urban legend, but still holds the symbolism of a mockingbird as he poses no real threat to anyone but he was still ostracized and stigmatized for no good reason. Scout is a mockingbird due to her obliviousness of

Show More
Related

  • Quotes Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    543 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mockingbirds: Emblems of innocence in To Kill A Mockingbird There are many mockingbirds in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The image of mockingbirds represent many people in the story and how many people take advantage of them for their own benefits. Scout, a young girl who lives in Maycomb is the story’s protagonist. She lives with her brother and father and occasionally meets Calpurnia their cook. For instance, Tom Robinson and Calpurnia are treated differently because of their skin color, however they are very close to the Finch family.

    Read More

  • How Does Lee Show Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

    935 Words  | 4 Pages

    After Atticus gives Jem and Scout their air rifles, he tells them they can shoot tin cans and bluejays, but not mockingbirds. “” … they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us … it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,”” (Lee 119).The mockingbird is supposed to symbolize Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Both characters have been wronged for no reason. Tom and Boo just mind their own business, while the world bothers them. Later in the story, Calpurnia and the children have discovered a rabid dog, Tim Johnson, running about.

    Read More

  • How Does Lee Use Power In To Kill A Mockingbird

    487 Words  | 2 Pages

    The symbol of the mockingbird, which is a harmless bird that sings beautiful songs, represents the innocent and vulnerable members of society who are targeted by those in positions of power. The mockingbird is used to represent characters such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, who are both victims of injustice and abuse of power. The symbol of the mockingbird highlights the power imbalance between those who have power and those who are powerless, and the devastating impact of that imbalance on the lives of those who are

    Read More

  • Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1117 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Is The Boo's Reputation In To Kill A Mockingbird

    520 Words  | 3 Pages

    282). Boo's reputation in the town of maycomb was ruined because he always stayed in his house and the town though that he was a creep and a murderer, he actually was the one who saved Jem from getting killed by Bob Euelle and that shows even more how much he is a loving person and loves kids. Atticus Finch is another character that also represents a mockingbird because he represents good, mortality and the willingness to see someone else's perspective. One of the way that he showed his kindnesses is when he accepted to defend Tom Robinson in court, it didn't bother him that the town was talking behind his back and calling racist slurs he was still being the bigger person and ignored everyone and tried his best to defend Tom. He also took good care of his children and offered them the comfort that they needed even after their mother died, and also answered all of Scout's question even the one that was too complicated for her.

    Read More

  • How Is Boo Radley Portrayed In To Kill A Mockingbird

    822 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee many characters are victims of the harsh conditions of Maycomb County. Often those who are seen to be metaphorical mockingbirds are punished the most. A mockingbird is one who only wants and attempts to do good. Characters such as Boo Radley, Jem Finch and Tom Robinson are exemplars of mockingbirds in Maycomb. In the novel it is explained by Atticus that killing a mockingbird is a sin because they do not do anything to harm to us like nesting in corncribs, or eating up the gardens, they only sing for us.

    Read More

  • What Does The Flowers Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

    293 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Minor Characters In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1339 Words  | 6 Pages

    If not for the major characters, the minor characters have played an equally important role in Maycomb with their contrasting views. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is mainly about Jem and Scout growing up under the difficult situations created in Alabama during The Great Depression. Stereotypes and discrimination are major problems in Maycomb. Scout and Jem Finch are raised by Atticus, with the help of Calpurnia, their maid. In the first part of the book, Scout, Jem and Dill are fascinated by Boo Radley because of the rumors they hear about him, and they try everything to make him come out of his house.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Thematic Statement

    224 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • How Does Tom Robinson Show Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    732 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the term mockingbird symbolizes innocence in a person. In the novel it focuses on the fact that innocence, represented by the mockingbird, can be wrongfully harmed. There are two characters: Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley that are supposed to represent the mockingbird. In the novel, Tom Robinson is the best example of a mockingbird because he is prosecuted for a crime he did not commit. Also, he was judged unfairly based on the color of his skin in his trial.

    Read More

  • Symbolism Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1317 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Social Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

    1108 Words  | 5 Pages

    Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird famously said in his closing arguments: "You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no particular race of men." (pg 232) What Atticus is trying to convey is a foreign concept to most people in Maycomb county. Atticus is trying to convey a point of equality and no prejudice in a world of social inequality which, as one can imagine, didn 't go over so well.

    Read More

  • Symbol Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    232 Words  | 1 Pages

    Because the mockingbird is a symbol of innocence it is symbolic of the characters of Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson. Both are misunderstood and judged by the townspeople without really knowing them. Tom Robinson is killed violently due to being put in prison because

    Read More

  • Theme Of Isolation In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1244 Words  | 5 Pages

    In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee teaches us about the town of Maycomb County during the late 1930s, where the characters live in isolation and victimization. Through the perspective of a young Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, readers will witness the prejudice that Maycomb produces during times where people face judgement through age, gender, skin colour, and class, their whole lives. Different types of prejudice are present throughout the story and each contribute to how events play out in the small town of Maycomb. Consequently, socially disabling the people who fall victim from living their life comfortably in peace. Boo Radley and his isolation from Maycomb County, the racial aspects of Tom Robinson, and the decision Atticus Finch makes as a lawyer, to defend a black man has all made them fall in the hands of Maycomb’s prejudice ways.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1730 Words  | 7 Pages

    Mockingbirds are an important symbol because they represent goodness and innocence. In this book, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are two innocent men, similar to mockingbirds, who get taken advantage of due to their innocence. Atticus and Miss Maudie teach Scout and Jem that it’s a sin to harm anything innocent by using the example of mockingbirds. Mockingbirds are innocent because they only positively affect people through their singing.

    Read More

More about What Is The Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document