preview

Theme Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

'To Kill a Mockingbird' was written by Harper Lee. The book explores several themes in the course of the events that play out in the novel. Some of the themes which have been highlighted which is significant in those times include institutionalized racism, sexism and the lack of women's empowerment and other societal influences in those times. The 'mockingbird' in this case symbolizes innocence which has been repeated in the words "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird" (p.93).
The book is based in Alabama during the Depression years and introduces a whole assortment of characters such as Scout and Jem Finch who were children of Atticus Finch, Boo Radley and his brother Nathan, Tom Robinson, Mr and Mrs Ewell and others. The book surrounds a trial of Tom Robinson, a black man, who has been wrongfully accused of raping and beating Mrs Ewell. Robinson is represented in court by Atticus Finch, and loses the case despite proving with clear evidence that Robinson could not have committed the crime. Finch then makes a …show more content…

He is being represented by Atticus Finch (p.166). He is a mockingbird character by the virtue of his innocence which was proved in court by Atticus Finch. Yet, despite the spirited defense, Tom was tried and convicted by the jury (p. 215). This highlights a certain institutional bias and political considerations which are unfavourable to certain groups and Tom Robinson was a victim of that very system of institutionalized injustice. The fact that any judicial system would continue to choose the pursuit of a conviction even where a criminal link does not exist shows an erosion of values. Since such an event is sinful because the system is actively trying to deny a person their life, it is a mockingbird event because it is a sin to kill any person in an arbitrary fashion, especially in this case where there was no due

Get Access