preview

To Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism

Decent Essays

Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird

The novella 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, is a very well known book which uses symbolism to further push the issue of racism. The way the ideas of racism and further issues are shown through smaller parts of the book such as the Mad Dog Atticus is forced to shoot and other things are represented by the Mockingbird itself, this essay will explain how some of these important symbols may be interpreted. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the mad dog to represent Prejudice and the Mockingbird to represent racism. The mad dog in To Kill a Mockingbird is symbolic to the "madness" Atticus has to deal with because he is defending Tom Robinson . In other words, the mad dog represents …show more content…

An example of this innocence can be seen after Tom Robinson is shot, Mr Underwood expresses that it is comparable to the "senseless shooting of songbirds" (Lee 323). This may be seen as the backbone of the entire novella, the thought of an innocent man dying merely because of his skin color. According to the book, “. . .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 119). This quote foreshadows the trial as it tells of how the Mockingbird (Tom Robinson) is an innocent man who doesn't even bother the people in any bad way. However, due to other elements and the camaraderie of the book, he ends up being murdered as an innocent man. The portrayal of the Mockingbird may also be seen as Scout's loss of childhood innocence, as well as being brought out of her little bubble known as Maycomb county. It is said by Scout; ". . . I felt very old, but when I looked at the tip of my nose, I could see fine misty beads. . ." (Lee 374). This quote explains Scout's feeling towards the actions found in the book. She sees many things, from the trial of an innocent black man to her almost being murdered by Bob Ewell. There is an

Get Access