Nut Grass Quotes

• Nut grass o Represents harmful/ hurtful rumors and gossip
 “She picked up the limp sprout and squeezed her thumb up its tiny stalk. Microscopic grains oozed out. ‘Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole yard. Look here. When it comes fall this dries up and the wind blows it all over Maycomb County!’” (Lee 56).
• Nut grass is allelopathic (meaning it releases toxins to surrounding plants). Similarly, rumors and gossip, which spread rapidly throughout Maycomb, are harmful to those the rumors are about. Miss Maudie, who loathes nut grass, also loathes rumors, and is quick to stop the both spread of nut grass and of any gossip she hears, like when Miss. Maudie calls out Miss. Stephanie when she tries to spread gossip about Boo Radley.
• Tim Johnson o Represents racism, injustice
 “Don’t go near him, he’s just as dangerous dead as alive” (128).
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 “With movements so swift they seemed simultaneous, Atticus's hand yanked a ball-tipped lever as he brought the gun to his shoulder. The rifle cracked. Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap” (127)
• Atticus is shown having to shoot the mad dog. Atticus also must fight against racism and injustice as a lawyer.
• Mockingbirds o Represents innocence, goodness
 “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119).
• Mockingbirds only bring good to others (singing) and do not harm anyone.
• Camellias o Represents bravery, understanding, gratitude
 “She had Jessie fix you this box—” Atticus reached down and picked up the candy box. He handed it to Jem. Jem opened the box. Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a white, waxy, perfect camellia. It was a Snow-on-the-Mountain”