A Literary Analysis Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird

To kill a mockingbird can mean many things. It’s the title of a book that has been bought 40 million times. But, it also has a definition. To kill a mockingbird means to destroy innocence. The theme of my literary analysis is mockingbirds. Mockingbirds in TKAM are innocent things tainted by the skewed society of Maycomb. Some of these mockingbirds are Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and the children. To Kill a Mockingbird is a book set in a small Alabama town in the 1930’s. The main character and narrator is Jean Louise Finch, but is almost always called by her nickname, Scout. Scout, her brother, and her summer friend Dill get into all kinds of mischief while living in the racist society of a 1930’s Alabama town. Scout’s dad, Atticus, is a prominent lawyer in Maycomb and is appointed to a controversial case, and is defending a black man. Scout and her brother, Jem go through many troubles and learn many lessons from the days leading up to, and during the trial. The trail makes their family some friends and a lot of enemies. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story of courage and despair. Throughout TKAM, mockingbirds are used as an example of something innocent being tainted by the skewed society of TKAM. Some great examples of these are Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and the children.

One character who symbolizes the mockingbird is Tom Robinson. Tom is like the mockingbird because he was only

In To kill a Mockingbird symbolism is developed through many characters showing peoples innocence and prejudice. Two main characters that have developed symbolism throughout the novel are Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.

The Mockingbird has a very deep and powerful meaning in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird. It represents peacefulness, innocence and kindness which is portrayed through the characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. The mockingbird's influence can also be applied to the relationships between humans. The Mockingbird is a powerful symbol that echoes a strong meaning throughout the novel.

Harper Lee also represents the themes through key symbolism. The most important symbol and the one that represented innocence and goodness was the mockingbird. Tom Robinson, Boo Radley and even Atticus and Scout were the metaphoric mockingbirds in the novel. When Scout asked Miss Maudie about

In other words, it gives a more profound meaning to something in the work of literature. Lee uses symbolism to provide the book with more depth to the story. For instance, the childrens view of Boo Radley itself is a huge example of symbolism used in the book. ‘“…Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up." "Thank who?" I asked. "Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't know it when he put the blanket around you."’ (Lee, 92). Here scout was in need of a blanket due to freezing temperatures, and Boo Radley was able to give her one. This act of kindness that Scout received allowed her to get a glimpse of whom Boo Radley really is and will allow her perspective of him to change from scared and suspicious to a gentler viewpoint. Although it was such a small thing he did, the kids were shocked that the person they thought Boo was would do something such as that. That changed how they thought about him and symbolizes that you cant judge a book by it’s cover. Another use of symbolism in the book is: ‘“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”’ (Lee,

In the book To KIll A Mockingbird is a book with a lot of symbols. The background of the book is very racists and took place a very long time ago. In her novel,To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee uses Tom,Boo,Atticus as human mockingbirds, and therefore,symbols of innocence.

On page 10 scout describes boo and what she thinks about Boo and says “ inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he went out a night when the moon was down , and peeped in windows.” Scout was basically telling us basic town rumors about Mr.Boo Radley. This proves my thesis because people were saying all these things, making them up and don’t even know him. But , on page 362 ; Little Scout describes seeing him from her thoughts she narrates : “His lip parted into a timid smile and our neighbor’s image blurred with my svaden tears ‘ Hey Boo ‘ I said. At this time scout was realizing that Boo Radley saved her and Jem. This quote proves my thesis because everyone thought this man was a crazy monster and he saved two children

There are several characters in the book that are symbolized as mockingbirds. The two that I am going to talk about is Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley. I chose Tom because i believe that all he was trying to do was help Mayella Ewell, but in the end he was killed even though he was innocent, all Tom was just a good hard working innocent man. I chose Boo Radley because in the throughout the entire time he was sheltered in his home. He didn’t truly know how people acted because he was always inside. He was a kind kid who left gifts in the knothole for Jem and Scout. Then in the end he helped Jem and Scout when they were being attacked by Bob Ewell.

In To Kill a Mockingbird there are multiple objects/characters that arise, but the symbol of the mockingbird stands out the most in the novel as they serve as an image of innocence.

In the book To Kill A Mockingbird the idea of the mockingbird reoccurs throughout the story. The mockingbird symbol plays an important role in the book and has multiple underlying meanings and connection in the book. The title of the book does not connect to what happens in the book as much as the actual mockingbird itself and what it stands for. The mockingbird os extremely symbolic to the story and plays an important role in having a better understanding to the book.

Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”. Atticus gave Jem and Scout the idea but did elaborate on the statement. Later on when Scout and Jem payed Mrs. Maudie a visit, she explained the meaning of the metaphor. She told them that it was a sin to kill mockingbirds because they were innocent creatures, which sang for the pleasure of mankind.

There are many significant symbols used to represent the different themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the book Harper Lee transmits a message to the reader using examples and symbols to get her point across. Some of these symbols include the dresses, Tim Johnson, and dependencies.

“But remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Scout and Jem are reminded of this by both Atticus and Ms. Maudie after they are allowed the use of guns, on Christmas. First and foremost, this theme is the title of Harper Lee’s book and she uses it as symbolism for the presence of good and evil. The idea of “mockingbirds” is to represent the good, innocent people who are destroyed by evil. Boo Radley, for instance, is like a mockingbird—just as mockingbirds do not harm people but only “sing their hearts out for us,” (Lee 119), Boo does not harm anyone, instead, he leaves Jem and Scout presents, and covers Scout with a blanket during the fire in Ms. Maudie's house.

Symbolism is exhibited throughout the novel, the first example being when Atticus tells Jem that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, which shows the goal of supporting the racial injustice theme and symbolizes Tom Robinson’s innocence. The second example of symbolism is the fact that Scout is a tomboy, which supports the goal of providing background information about Scout’s family, and symbolizes Scout’s upbringing without a mother. The final example of symbolism is when Scout, Jem, and Dill were constantly trying to mess with Boo Radley, which supports the goal of creating the setting in Maycomb, and symbolizes the scary, adult world. The whole book is a great lesson to learn from and enjoy because it tells a timeless tale of racial prejudice and the injustice that goes along with