Symbolism and Allegory in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a realistic story that deeply discusses issues involved with the 1930’s that still resonate today. The struggles of life are evident within the believable characters of Maycomb County which is a microcosm, reflective of universal issues. Along with the authentic characters, setting and style also helps to convey Lee’s controversial notions of racial and gender prejudice, and persecution of the innocent, discussing many other ideas within.

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

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 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.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a multi-faceted novel which explores the principles and morals of people in the South during the 1930s. Mockingbirds are symbolic of the people that society abuse. Lee narrates the events of the novel using Scout’s voice and uses this technique to add emotional context and develop themes. Themes of racial and classist prejudice are developed by Lee to challenge the reader. These techniques are all powerful ways to alter the views of the reader.

People always wondered what a mockingbird represents. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the narrator Jean Louise Finch lives in Maycomb, Alabama, with her brother Jeremy Finch, her dad Atticus Finch, and her mother-figure Calpurnia. She learns many lessons in her life including “You never truly understand a person until you put yourself in their shoes ” and “It is a sin to kill mockingbirds.” This ties in that a mockingbird symbolizes innocence, which proves that one should not judge someone else until they truly get to know them because one must truly know another before deeming them as evil or innocent.

Why is the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee named such? Much of the symbolism within this novel and the title directly relate to the scuffing and poisoning of the good and innocent people of this world, a.k.a., the slaughter of mockingbirds. As you can tell from the title, one of the major symbols in this novel is mockingbirds. There are several mockingbirds with Tom robinson being the most obvious one, and others being Atticus Finch, Arthur Radley, Mr. Avery, Helen Robinson, and Jean Louise Finch.

In the town of Maycomb, a man who stands up against racism forever changes people’s views on racism. Scout, Jem and Atticus Finch all stand together against racism and prejudice in the tiny town of Maycomb. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, in the town of Maycomb, prejudice is a disease, but Jem, Scout, and Dill are immune to this illness because of the people who raise them. For example, when Cecil and Francis told Scout that Atticus is a disgrace to defend Tom Robinson, even though Francis is Scout’s cousin. When Scout and Jem hear the verdict of Tom’s case they both cry and are angry about the sentence while the rest of the town is ecstatic. And finally when Scout doesn’t want Walter Cunningham to come over for dinner because

Many see the glass half empty. Others see it half full. A certain viewpoint makes people who they are. A human's perspective provokes particular beliefs and thoughts that run through our mind like millions of tiny termites. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird authored by Harper Lee, the Finches, Ewells and Robinsons all view the world in a different manner. For Jem Finch, his beliefs are constantly being changed by his environment, surroundings, and people around him. Jem’s early antics with Boo, his attendance at the African-American church, and witness of the trial have one thing in common. All three change Jem’s beliefs from childish to thoughtful!

Essay Prompt: In a 1-2 page character analysis, explain what makes Atticus such a good parent, using quotes and evidence from the text to back up your claims.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee uses irony and symbolism to show that with the more experiences a person has, a better understanding of peoples actions and views comes with it. Giving a deeper understanding of the power of words, racism, and of the misconceptions of the world. Throughout the book Lee uses experiences like these to show the children’s growth during their childhood, and their dealings with discrimination in the world around them.

The first part of to “kill a mockingbird“, while experience is there, innocence is the primary theme. Both Jem and scout are just beginning to experience things. In “To Kill a Mockingbird“, by Harper Lee, there are many great examples of Jem

On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in his first inauguration speech, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance," (Baughman). This quote translates to a confusing concept at first, but once discussed is practical: the fear of an individual should not be the concern, yet it should be the damage fear itself has on one. Little did we know at the time that this quote, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” would turn into “the very symbol” of Roosevelt’s Presidency (Baughman).

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee uses symbolism to help the reader perceive the book. Throughout the book there are various symbols like the Mockingbird to demonstrate how even in the 1950’s there was still racism and segregation. In this novel the author uses characterization to grasp the reader's attention about what was happening.

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the fire in chapter 8 symbolizes a form of prejudice as it burns down the snowman. A lot of the symbolism in this book stems from the prejudice taking place against the black population in Indiana. Some of this is issued when it snows for the first time since 1885. The children make a snowman out of leftover snow and some dirt. This represents the teamwork between the Finch family and the black community. The snow brings out the innocence of children.