To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Techniques Essay

There is a very powerful symbol that carries much weight throughout the story, and that is the mockingbird, seen even in the title of the book itself. This symbol initiates its appearance in chapter 10 of “To Kill a Mockingbird” on page 103 where Atticus Finch, a character synonymous with making impactful, deep statements through the book, says, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee, 10). This is supplemented by Mrs. Maudie soon after where she says, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... ” (Lee 10). This evidence explains the basis of this symbol, that killing innocence is sinful, pointless, and cruel and that from the beginning this symbol presence causes massive insight and deeper connections throughout the whole book and to history itself (Great Depression/Pre-Civil Rights Movement), especially through the motif of innocence. Its presence is

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 is a symbol of innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird: “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 90). Ms. Maudie is trying to explain to the kids that it is a sin to kill something innocent. The Mockingbird does nothing harmful to them they just sing songs to the humans . There are many connecting symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird. Not only do many things in the book such as mockingbirds there are things in the book that represent these symbols. A mockingbird is innocent, keeps to itself, makes others happy much like Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Scout Finch throughout the novel.

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

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

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,

The Mockingbird symbolizes that you don’t harm something or someone that is innocent. Atticus tells Jem that

Throughout the duration of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many instances where Lee uses symbolism to help deepen our understanding of the text. This successful novel is set to show the racism of the south in the 1930s. One of the more prominent symbols would be that of the ever so famous mockingbird. You can see examples of this throughout the novel, but more specifically when Atticus says “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (page 99) The mockingbird is the symbol of innocence. It is used to link the two main plot points in the novel, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. They are the mockingbirds because they are innocents who have been destroyed by the evil of the world. This helps to deepen the understanding by connecting the importance of their characters with the innocence of the mockingbird.

man conflict. During the trial, Atticus attempts to convince the jury and townspeople not to be prejudiced and give Tom Robinson a fair trial, which is an example of man vs. society conflict. One of the literary elements I noticed was dialect, which was used to make the story seem more realistic and figurative language such as similes and metaphors. Symbolism is also very prominent in the book. One of the main symbols used is mockingbirds. Miss Maudie tells Scout, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Mockingbirds represent the characters in the story that are innocent and

Symbolism is used extensively in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The theme of prejudice in the novel can be best perceived through the symbol of the mockingbird. Atticus advised his children that if they went hunting for birds to "shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (96). Miss Maudie explains this further by saying that "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (96). Bluejays are considered to be the bullies of the bird world. They are very loud, territorial and

It can compare two things and set the story in a path. An example of this is “We could see him shiver like a horse shedding flies”(95). This refers to the behavior of the dog. Not only does simile is used but also a major symbol of the mockingbird. The first and most important time it was mentioned was when Atticus states “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”(90). This begins to set the serious tone of the story. Mockingbirds are harmless, innocent creatures, and killing them is wrong, due to the fact that they don't hurt anyone. Tom Robinson represents a mockingbird for the reason that he was innocent and did not deserve to die. Killing a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. The bluejay represents Bob Ewell and how he did not get caught for the crime he committed. Another symbol used was the “mad dog”(94). The dog represented the madness and Atticus's strength. His desire to protect his family is portrayed. When the mad dog threatens his family, he immediately grabs a rifle and shoots the dog. The children are surprised by this because normally, Atticus is very relaxed and laid back. This scene shows that Atticus will do anything to protect his family from the madness around them. The syntax that is present within the piece varies greatly from beginning to

The book To Kill a Mockingbird is set somewhere around Great Depression in Maycomb County, Alabama. The book focuses on three years of Jem, Scout, Atticus, Calpurnia, and Dill’s lives. The story begins with Scout and Jem meeting Dill and coming up with a plan to get Boo Radley out of the house. As the story progress, Atticus is preparing to defend Tom Robinson, an African-American, who had been accused of raping Mayella Ewell, daughter of the town drunk, Bob Ewell. Even though Atticus successfully cross examines the testimony of Bob Ewell, and Mayella Ewell, Tom is convicted. Enraged by Atticus cross examination, Bob Ewell swears revenge. A little later, as Jem and Scout are walking home from school, they are attacked by Bob, and Boo Radley

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.

The main message is that the situations around jem, scout, dill, and even tom Robinson destroy their innocence. The environment and drama that takes place make them see the world as it is. “Atticus said to Jem one day, “I’d rather you shot at 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.”(90). I believe that the mockingbird in the quote symbolizes innocence. Jem is confused on why killing a mockingbird is a sin and Atticus tells him that the mockingbird is pure. Just like the minds of the children. The environment around them kills the purity and innocence of the children and it relates to the mockingbird being dead.