Extended Metaphors In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

The book is written by a girl, her name is Scout Finch, she has a brother whose name is Jem, her father also lives with them and his name is Atticus. Scouts mum has died when she was really young, so she doesn’t remember her much, but Jem (her brother) remembers some moments with his mum and he tells Scout about these moments every once in a while. Every summer holiday Dill would come from his home town to come and enjoy the holiday with them exploring the Town of Maycomb (Maycomb is the town where most of the story is set and where Scout lives) like the town haunted house that lies between her home and her school. When school first started and Scout starts Grade 1 she asked a question and asked to read. But when her teacher realizes that she

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird…Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.” In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch changes throughout the novel by becoming disliked by the town folks and disobeying the law.

It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird “shoot all the bluejays you want, but it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”. This quote is said by Atticus who is a lawyer that defends an innocent black man for being accused of raping a white women. To kill a mockingbird is set in the 1930s in Maycomb alabama where there was prejudices. This story is not just about racism but implies a deeper meaning, the mockingbird has a strong message and holds an important metaphorical meaning. The mockingbird is portrayed as a innocent fragile songbird that symbolizes innocence but is killed by men. Tom Robinson symbolizes an innocent fragile songbird because he does no harm to society, his voice is ignored by almost everyone, and he gets shot and killed just like an innocent fragile songbird.

Think of the saying, “you are the apple of my eye”. Most of today’s society understands that somebody is referring to someone that they cherish above all else. This phrase is a common metaphor that is used all around the world. Many times authors use a metaphor to convey a message without telling it right out to the reader. This technique is used by Harper Lee in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The title of the novel refers to persecution of the innocent which is highlighted by showcasing Arthur Radley as the mockingbird of the story, and the oppression of refugees relates this metaphor to today’s society.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee gives us the character Atticus Finch to give us an example of what courage is through symbolism, pathos, and irony. In this analysis I will talk about about how Atticus’s actions and words all seem to try to teach us something, and that something is courage. We can see the biggest example of Atticus’s courage when he has to talk about Tom Robinson’s case or when he talked to the kids about what Mrs. Dubose was trying to do before her death. Atticus’s courage is the type that allows him to do what he thinks is right even if people don’t agree with him or if it seems hopeless to try. Atticus is also seen trying to pass down his courage and wisdom to his kids throughout the story.

The mockingbird metaphor applies to several characters in the book. One particular character that may not be as obvious to some people is Jem Finch. In Jem’s case, he starts out as a young boy full of innocence. As he grows up his father, Atticus, teaches him to judge an individual based on their character instead of how society teaches us to treat people; as well as, do what is right. Atticus reinforces this belief when he says, “They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got

It's a sin to kill a mockingbird because they don't do anything to hurt people; they only help farmers out and sing beautiful songs. To Kill a Mockingbird is about a little girl named Scout who sees her town as a beautiful place where nothing unpleasant happens until accusations of rape occur. Then she realizes how racist and negative her town people can be. This occurs when her dad defends an innocent African American man. She realizes that Macomb has deplorable individuals living there, and this reality hit her hard. Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley are metaphorically portrayed as mockingbirds.

Mockingbirds are only here to sing their songs and to bring us joy. A Mockingbird is innocent, without fault and only here to help. “To kill a Mockingbird is a sin.”(119) This is because a Mockingbird is an animal that doesn’t cause harm and has proved to only have a pure heart. Tom Robinson is the predominant Mockingbird. “Tom’s death was like the senseless killing of songbirds.”(241) Since another word for mockingbird is a songbird, this quote is telling us that Tom is like a Mockingbird and that his death wasn’t supposed to happen. The unexpected Mockingbird is Boo Radley. “Atticus looked like he needed cheering up I ran to him and said ‘yes sir, I understand Mr. Tate was right’ he looked at me and said ‘what do you mean’ well it’d sort of be like shooting a Mockingbird.”(318) Clearly Scout is saying that if Maycome were to find out that Boo killed Bob it would probably kill him because Boo delights in being alone. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are the representation of the Mockingbird.

What do you know about the Great Depression? Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird takes place during this time, giving you more of an understanding of how life was. Lee took time using figurative language, characterization, and symbolism to help develop a theme. In To Kill a Mockingbird, symbolism creates the theme of, “It is wrong to hurt the innocent.”

Figurative language is what makes books interesting. It sets the tone and mood of the story, which gives a more enjoyable reading experience. Harper Lee uses figurative language throughout the entirety of her book. Although she uses a multitude of literary elements in her book, some of the more prominent ones are metaphor, imagery, personification, simile and symbolism. These elements allow the readers to not only feel apart of the story but to also understand it in a more efficient way.

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (119).” In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird this quote from Atticus Finch alludes to one of the central themes the novel focuses on. The mockingbird is an innocent creature that does not cause harm, it is purely for the enjoyment of others. When killing a mockingbird it symbolises destroying this innocence. There are many incidences in this novel which display this theme, as several characters are unjustly persecuted by the people in Maycomb. The significance of the title To Kill a Mockingbird is a main theme throughout the novel. It shows that in a society that carries prejudice, innocence is easily destroyed and good does not always triumph over evil. This can be supported through the characters of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Jeremy “Jem” Finch, and Tom Robinson.

In life you may hear people say that “all you need is a good lawyer”, but what makes someone a good lawyer? In the books to kill a mockingbird, and a lesson before dying there are two lawyers who are held responsible to defend a case. These men are atticus finch and JL, and Although both men are qualified lawyers, there are several differences between the way they argue their cases. Throughout the books we can see that Atticus does a better job of defending his case because he uses rhetorical devices and appeals correctly such as concession to the opposition, warrants, and pathos.

However, Tom Robinson is not the only mockingbird in the story. Boo Radley is another harmless creature who falls victim of cruelty. He is unjustly regarded as an evil person and used as the scapegoat for all the bad happenings around town. Women are afraid of him and so are children. When the sheriff decided that he would not arrest Boo Radley for killing Bob Ewell and that would present his death as an accident, Atticus asked Scout if she understood the meaning of this decision. Scout replied that she did. Her exact words were: "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (282). Boo here is also compared to the gentle bird and again it would be a 'sin' to punish him. The symbol of the mockingbird can be applied to Boo Radley from another point of view as well. The mockingbird has no song of its own. It just imitates other birds. Therefore it makes itself present and is seen through other birds. In the same way, Boo Radley is seen through the eyes of other people. He does not have a character of his own. What the reader knows about him is what other people say. He is believed to " dine on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, his hands were

To begin, Lee portrays Tom Robinson and Boo Radley as the true mockingbirds of the novel, both harmless and good. Although one is black and the other is white, by juxtaposing these two characters, Lee shows that injustice and prejudice reaches beyond the boundary of skin color. Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout’s opinions on Boo change drastically. At first, Boo is merely the product of childhood superstition. However, as Boo begins to show acts of kindness, such as leaving presents in his tree and tailoring Jem’s pants, the children’s views on Boo change, and rather than a superstition, Boo becomes real. Boo Radley, a child with a reputation besmirched by the rumors of Maycomb County, reveals the true nature in his heart after saving Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell by killing him. Despite the pain Boo has suffered from continuous torment and harsh treatment from his father, he proves the ultimate symbol of a mockingbird.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book thick with symbolism and metaphors. It is a debatable fact that Scout, the female protagonist, is a symbol for innocence. Though the validity of her symbol is in doubt, I am certain that the symbol in this novel for injured faith, or broken innocence, is Boo Radley. That puts in question the reason why Boo continues to amble down the same road of apathy while Scout is being led down the path to unbiased maturity. I believe that Atticus, the father figure in the novel, is the subtle influence that raises Scout to be aware of the immoral actions around her but not to accept them. Prejudice corrupts a child’s progression of innocence to maturity, but Atticus keeps his children from assuming the attitudes of the townspeople.