Essay On Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

The title, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a huge aspect of this book. Harper Lee chose an appropriate title because it explains how innocent people can be destroyed in the face of evil. The two people who symbolize the mockingbird are Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.

Tom Robinson’s character exemplifies the mockingbird because he is a black man who is denied justice based on racial prejudice. After Mayella Ewell accuses Tom of rape, there is no way for him to be judged fairly because the narrow-minded, white townspeople are unable to get past their prejudices towards blacks. At his trial, Tom’s lawyer, Atticus, argues,

Harper Lee uses symbolism extensively throughout To Kill a Mockingbird,, and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism and allegory can be seen by studying various examples from the book, namely the actions of the children, of the racist whites, and of Atticus Finch.

The Mockingbird had become something symbolic in the story. The mockingbird represents innocence and portrays itself through several different characters in the story; such as Scout Finch or Boo Radley. Despite their innocence however, they can be injured with their contact with evil. In the story, it’s explained how Boo Radley’s innocence is tainted because of his abusive father. Thus the extended metaphor or symbolism would explain that killing a mockingbird is tainting innocence. When Scout inquires her, Miss Maudie explains, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This also links the connection of Scout and Jem both having the last name finch, which is another name for a particularly small (and also harmless) bird.

The idea of mockingbirds in this text carries great symbolic weight, mockingbirds are considered the innocents in the novel. It is considered a sin to kill a mockingbird, which symbolizes the destruction innocence. Tom Robinson, Arthur “Boo” Radley, Jem and Mr. Raymond can all be identified as mockingbirds - innocents who have been injured or destroyed through contact with evil.

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.

The title is symbolic to the plot of the novel. The title, comes from a proverb that tells that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. (Literature and Theology, 436-457). The metaphor in this novel serves as an admonition for people to judge their own selves, rather than what is seen by the eyes. A mockingbird is considered to be innocuous. Therefore, it is used to symbolize innocence and the good and innocent people who are harmless, but are harmed by others. Initially, Harper writes, “to kill a mockingbird is a sin”, and as the story moves on, there is no scene where a mockingbird was actually killed, but Tom Robinson, an innocent person, was brutally struck down due to bigotry and

In the nineteenth century, mockingbirds were kept in cages so they could sing their beautiful music. Because of this, mockingbirds were nearly almost wiped out of parts of the East Coast. All Mockingbirds do is bring beauty to the world. Mockingbirds symbolize innocence and do not deserve to be wounded by the cruelness of the world. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Dill, Mayella Ewell, Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are all mockingbirds. They are innocent people that have been harmed or injured in the past and have learned the misery of the world.

Throughout this book, the author uses multiple techniques of symbolism to achieve a goal which is for the reader to stir up empathy for the characters. Take notice in the middle of the book, when the author mentions the main example of symbolism, which is said by Atticus while speaking to Jem. During Christmas when the Finch’s are at Finch's landing Atticus gives Jem and Scout their own air rifles. He then tells Jem, “I’d rather you shot a tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee, 90) Mockingbirds are innocent and only play soothing music for people. They don’t destroy gardens, only soothe us with the music they produce. So, mockingbirds are innocent and so it’s a sin to kill them because they do not do anything wrong. In short simple words, it is a sin to kill the innocent. In the courtroom, Tom who is being accused with rape, is in the hot seat while everyone is judging him without knowing the whole story. It makes things worse when he is charged guilty. This makes the reader feel empathy for him because he is being accused

References to the title in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird suggest that both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are “mockingbirds.” The reader is lead to understand that the term suggests an innocent, harmless creature who should not be made to suffer. To Kill a Mockingbird is a sin. This book shows Tom Robinson and Boo Radley as mockingbirds. Boo Radley was the victim of harsh parenting and prejudgement. Tom Robinson was the victim of racism.

Mockingbirds are a powerful means used by Lee to convey the deep-rooted prejudice entrenched in the fictional town of Maycomb. The title of the novel is symbolic of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Lee writes that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. However, one

The title “To Kill A Mockingbird” is taken from a quote in the book, where Atticus says "Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (lee Later, Miss Maudie Atkinson states that "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy." (p.177). This shows that mocking birds are innocent, and that is why Atticus strongly forbids his children to kill them. To Kill a Mockingbird novels theme is how prejudice affects the town of maycomb,alabama. Also, the mockingbird symbolizes innocence. All the birds do is sing for you and give you pleasure in what is natural and enjoyment to them (singing for you). Theydont harm,. They are fragile,loveable, weak, and helpless birds. In the

The books title itself has a very controversial topic hidden within it. On page 92 in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus says to Jem, ““Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”. This is important because it comes back at the end of the book when Arthur kills Bob. Later on Scout received an explanation from Miss Maudie. This was their conversation, “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 92-94). This is key to the controversial topic of the Justice system in To Kill a Mockingbird. I think that in To Kill a Mockingbird the Mockingbird was referring to Tom Robinson, and Arthur Radley. Both of these men are the Mockingbirds in this story. Mockingbirds are weak, they are helpless, they don’t hurt anyone, they are very soothing and calm. Both Mr. Robinson and Mr. Radley have the traits of a mockingbird in this story and out of both of them the true mockingbird is Arthur Radley.

Another mockingbird in the story was Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was just like Boo Radley nice and loving to others especially Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson was very kind to Mayella he always did we she wanted him to do and he always did it with pride. When Bob Ewell accused Tom Robinson of raping Mayella it was like a mockingbird that just stops singing or died because Tom Robinson would never rape Mayella. Bob Ewell said that Tom Robinson was kissing and touching Mayella. Mr. Ewell thinks now that Tom Robinson is an animal who was taking advantage of his daughter. Tom Robinson is a man who helped Mayella Ewell everyday when he would walk by her house, she

When choosing the title of the novel, Harper Lee had to make sure it stood out but also was relevant to the story. To Kill a Mockingbird shows the readers an unusual and interesting title that stirs their interest. Also that throughout the story it will symbolise something of importance. The readers are lead to believe that the phrase ‘to kill a mockingbird’