To Kill A Mockingbird Symbols

Flowers are an ongoing symbol in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. They are used to relate to or represent many of the characters all through the novel. The use of symbolism throughout this work of fiction is essential because it gives a deeper understanding of the characters. Mayella Ewell and the red geranium, Miss Maudie and her azaleas, Miss Dubose and her camellias, and Mayella Ewell and the violet are four major uses of symbolism in the story.

Harper Lee uses symbolism extensively throughout To Kill a Mockingbird,, and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism and allegory can be seen by studying various examples from the book, namely the actions of the children, of the racist whites, and of Atticus Finch.

Symbolism is a major literary device that helps people see a book through symbols that often have a deeper meaning. A symbol is used to explain something in a different way, using images, objects, etc. instead of just saying it in words. As you search for a deeper meaning in a work of art or literature it can help you understand the author’s intentions and the deeper significance of a work. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, symbols help reinforce the major themes of the book.

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

You can not truly understand a person or a group until you consider it from their point of view. Atticus introduces this idea to Scout in the beginning of the book, he says “‘ You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’”(39). Atticus says this when Scout comes home with a problem from school. She tried defending the Cunningham boy because her teacher didn't know much about their town yet. Scout was upset about this because she didn't think she deserved to get in trouble, but Atticus explained that she should look at it from her teachers side and understand the teacher wasn't well informed on the people in Maycomb. Later on in the novel, Scout uses this lesson she learned from Atticus This is when she puts Boo in the darker area of the porch. In the text it says, “... I led him to the chair farthest from Atticus and Mr. Tate. It was in deep shadow. Boo would feel more comfortable in the dark.”(364). In this situation, Scout takes Boo’s needs into consideration, she thinks what would be best for him. She noticed how he hid in the dark corner and how eventually Atticus moved outside where it was darker for that reason. This is because Boo felt like an outcast and felt more comfortable where less people could see him. Also, Scout takes Boo’s point of view in a

Lee employs symbolism to illustrate Tom Robinson being falsely accused; as mockingbirds are often mistaken for a bird they are imitating. Symbolism is important because it shows the connection between the title of the book and the storyline. As the reader, we are able to see that just like a mockingbird mistaken for other birds, Tom Robinson was mistakenly seen guilty.

Another example of symbolism is Arthur “Boo” Radley. The town ridicules and disregards him from society due to his incapability to socialise outside of his home. He is portrayed a scary and dangerous individual and the children of Maycomb have been raised to fear him. If only Maycomb would take the time to see through Boo Radley’s perspective then they might not refer to him as a “malevolent phantom”. Ultimately Boo saves Jem and scout from Bob Ewell and proves to be the ultimate symbol of good. The lesson being told here is that people should not be so easily judged.

One symbol is when Boo Radley put little kid toys in the tree outside of his lawn. Boo Radley did this because he was telling Jem and Scout in picture formated way that he didn’t want them to grow up. Boo did this by putting a ribbon of a spelling B, little kid characters made out of soap that were like dolls, and he also out a broken watch in there to show that he never wants time to pass for them and never grow

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book with several examples of symbolism. Although the story is seen through a child’s perspective, it includes multiple instances of symbolism, some more obvious than others. Mockingbirds, Mayella’s geraniums, and the Radley household are all big symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird.

In literature, symbolism used to provide a deeper and more insightful understanding of the text. It is also a vital tool, used by several authors, to add vibrancy and complexity to their work. Symbolism ignites the reader's imagination which in turn, brings the text to a whole different level. Similarly, the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, consists of several symbols that are significant to the overall plot and theme. Mockingbirds, the Radley place and the mad dog are a few examples of symbols used by Harper Lee.

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.

Maycomb has a visible separation of two societies: the whites and the blacks. Throughout the novel there are numerous innocent characters who could be considered mockingbirds. However, Jem, Boo and Tom Robinson are three characters who are used to symbolize innocence in To Kill A Mockingbird. These three characters can be

There are many instances where symbolism is present in the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Some of the symbols in the novel are very prompt and easily found like the ones between the mockingbird and the main characters. Others have underlying meanings that you have to think on before understanding like the rabid dog that has a relationship with Tom Robinson, the black man accused of raping a white woman. Many objects, like the mockingbird, can be seen as symbols just as much as the characters in the story, like Boo Radley. Three symbols that were very meaningful to me were: Tom Robinson related to a mockingbird, Boo Radley resembling the mockingbird, and the “mad dog”.

To Kill A Mockingbird is drenched in different themes and symbols, one must understand these symbols to truly understand the moral. Arguably, the biggest symbols in the book are mockingbirds. The novel takes place in the 1930’s, in a small town called Maycomb. This time period was very racist. The book takes place during a three-year span. Atticus, their father, is a lawyer who is defending a black man accused of raping a 19-year-old woman. Atticus tries to raise his children to not have prejudice. Scout and Jem, his children, are naïve but towards the end, they grow more knowledgeable and start to understand the racism that takes place in their town. Harper Lee’s novel implies that Jem, Scout and Boo’s innocence has been stripped from them and that a mockingbird represents innocence, which therefore represents them.

Boo is a character who causes no harm because all he does is stay inside of his house, and he also helps save Atticus children Scout and Jem. Also in the book Boo teaches the reader to never judge people from what you hear about them. Another lesson Boo taught us was to never take anything for granted. Therefor a mockingbird symbolizes peace and happiness, which Boo represents in the book To Kill A