Essay on Us of Symbols in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Mrs. Dubose’s camellias are representative of prejudice and the actions being taken against it. Like racism, Jem tried to handle the problem in a way that at first seemed effective, but in the long run, it was not. Jem “…had cut the tops off every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose owned until the ground was littered with green buds and leaves”(Lee 137). Racism was also handled in this way. Although their efforts were well intended, as long as there were strong supporters on both sides and none of the solutions had a large impact there were no long term results. The camellias are symbolic of this when Mrs. Dubose asks Jem “Thought you could kill my snow-on-the-mountain did you? Well, Jessie says the tops growing back out. Next time you’ll know to do

In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, different symbols are used that are reflective throughout the book either directly, or more often, obscurely being tied to the ultimate theme of the book, which is being able to understand someone from their point of view. Whether it is in literature or even shown in pictures, when people use things to represent something with a deeper meaning, it is called symbolism. The most apparent reoccurring theme though is equality because of the fact it is symbolized through people, birds, and even inanimate objects Scout and Jem encounter over the course of the book. By doing this, the reader is able to obtain a better and deeper sense of what Lee is truly trying to say, and their connections to the story and the way they help make the reader experience the time period of the 1930’s. Equality was and still is a problem as reflected in the book, but it is the way Lee brings those symbols to our attention that makes us realize how close to the exact same spot we were over 80 years ago that is able to make the reader that much more intrigued. A few examples of equality symbols in the book include: Tom Robinson, mockingbirds, Atticus Finch, and the snowman built from both mud and snow.

Harper Lee uses this technique to achieve the goal of setting up the problem. “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, 119). The mockingbird symbolizes the innocence of the town. It is a sin to kill them because all they do is bring joy and benefits to the community. They also don’t do anything wrong. For example, Boo Radley represents a mockingbird because he is innocent and nobody should do anything to hurt him. Boo Radley stayed in the house, therefore he didn’t do anything to anyone, and when he did come out, it was to help Jem and Scout since he loved them like they were his children. He liked to stay isolated and his wish should be granted since he is innocent. “Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters of children” (Lee, 323). In the book, Tom Robinson is the most obvious person that represents the mockingbird and why it is a sin to kill them. Tom Robinson symbolizes the mockingbird because he clearly didn’t rape Mayella Ewell, yet still got wrongfully accused for it, then shot to death. He helped out the town, did handywork, and wasn’t rude to anyone, proving his innocence. It is a sin that Maycomb not only found him guilty, but also shot him to death since he did nothing wrong.Harper Lee uses the technique of symbolism when talking about the mockingbirds of the community. This sets up the problem because it shows all the sins that would be committed when someone kills a mockingbird, or kills/does something mean to the innocent, helpful people of

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a fictitious novel. The story is about Jean-Louise “Scout” Finch and her brother Jem as they grow both physically and psychologically. Throughout their childhood, the kids intrigued by their mysterious and elusive neighbor, Boo Radley who does not conform to Maycomb’s beliefs. The kids also begin to learn about the prejudice in Maycomb through the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Lee introduces the theme of the mockingbird which revolves around the idea of the eradication of innocence.

Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ highlights the many social injustices that take place within Maycomb County, Alabama. Told from the perspective of a young girl named Scout, with her innocence drastically molding the story. Whilst heavily focusing on conflict amongst society, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ features small, yet heavy, bits of internal conflict as well. Lee uses isolation and setting to show precisely how no one will never truly understand a person unless they are that person.

To Kill a Mockingbird is written by Harper Lee, the novel is based on an old town story that deals primarily with racism and class. However, when reading the novel, the audience will be receiving the story through a small town girl, Scout Finch. Scout is an innocent child and she does not see how her small in town, Maycomb, Alabama literally is. The small town, Maycomb is struck with shocking rumors. Mayella Ewell is a young white lady who claims that she is sexually attacked by an African-American man whose name is Tom Robinson. Nobody in Maycomb wants to admit how much race, class, and gender truly has an effect on this small, but broken town.

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a coming of age novel in which we follow Scout Finch, a 5 year old girl, over the span of 3 years. Scout lives in Maycomb, a small town in Alabama, in the 1930s. Maycomb society is typical for any southern American society in the 1930s, racism, sexism and prejudice are very evident. In the beginning of the novel, Scout is a concrete thinker. In the middle of the novel, Scout is a critical thinker. At the end of the novel, Scout is a complex thinker. Scout’s thinking style has grown throughout the novel, especially in regards to Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.

To Kill A Mockingbird, an award winning, bestseller, is a novel that was written by Harper Lee and was first published in the 1960s. Also, “In 1961, Harper Lee 's "To Kill a Mockingbird" won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction after being on the bestseller list for more than 40 weeks.” (tkamcreative.weebly.com) This book first follows the main character, Scout Finch, in her childhood explorations and adventures with her friends and family. It later introduces a court case taken on by her father, which shows the true prejudice and hardship of the time they are living in. As the kids attempt to adapt to the harsh events that are caused by this, they grow immensely and learn that there are hardships for everyone that spread from the economic depression to discrimination. The real source of tension in Maycomb is the ongoing rift between the country folk - poor white farmers who have been “hit the hardest” by the economic catastrophe and the city folk - merchants and professionals who are desperate to avoid slipping into absolute poverty. Caught in the middle of all this are the innocent characters - Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Dolphus Raymond - who are just trying to mind their own business.

As Atticus Finch said, “shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” Taking place during the 1930’s in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee follows the childhood of Scout. To Kill a Mockingbird follows the severe racial divide in the small town of Maycomb and proves that one should not judge a book by its cover. To Kill a Mockingbird presents the theme of never judging a book by its cover in a historical context regarding race while demonstrating the symbolism of innocence through a Mockingbird.

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is based on the passed experienced from Harper Lee's childhood. The character of Atticus resembles the author’s father, and the character of Scout resembles herself. To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by the well known author, Harper Lee. This book is written in Scout's perspective to portray her life. The main character, Scout, who is also the narrator is portrayed as a young girl who is still learning the rules of life. Her father, her brother Jem, and nanny (Calpurnia) all play a role in teaching Scout right from wrong as she grows. The novel is based around the case of Tom Robinson and the events that happen in Maycomb. The novel is greatly based on prejudice; mainly prejudice against poor people,

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee displays the life of Scout and Jem Finch, and their father Atticus in Maycomb County, Alabama after the Great Depression. The story follows a series of social issues including racism in the South. Scout is able to see a first hand experience when her father has to defend a black man in a rather controversial court case against Bob Ewell, the story’s antagonist.

In the beginning of the novel, the mockingbird symbolism is introduced as a lesson Atticus teaches the children. He shares his philosophy with Jem that he can “... shoot all the bluejays you want… but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). This reveals Atticus’ thought process towards the innocent and the people he represents as a lawyer. He believes the innocent should not be killed. Scout later asks Miss Maudie what Atticus meant and she explains it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they “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”

A symbol is something that is used to represent something else. In literature, symbols can be objects, characters, ideas, or even colors that are used to represent larger concepts. Symbolism utilized broadly all through Harper Lee's timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird and it refers to the issues of bigotry in the South during the early twentieth century. Symbolism can be traced in almost every important episode or event which formulates the story line. Many of the main thoughts and focuses were put crosswise over through hidden meanings and phrases. The title appears to have almost nothing to do with the real book, yet it is profoundly typical to the plot. Throughout the book, honest individuals are harmed or demolished by evil. The imagery uncovers the prejudice and narrow-mindedness of the citizens of Maycomb County, their fears and the corrupt things they did. To Kill a Mockingbird has many estimations of correspondence at first glance; the hidden meanings and symbolism allow it to take a more significant position than one might notice right away. In this story, the author uses the Mockingbird as an image of innocence. Like hunters who kill mockingbirds for a game, people kill innocence or other people who are innocent, without contemplating what they are doing. Atticus stands firm with all due respect, of innocence and urges his children not to shoot mockingbirds both literally and figuratively. A few notable

Hatred that is evident in society is the result of the gap between those of higher and lower social standing. Whether it be by race or of class, bigotry and ignorance is caused by this disconnect of culture; that it is only resisted by the ability to empathize. This is the main idea and concept behind To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It takes place in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama following the children Scout Finch, Jem Finch, and Dill. The story is of Scout’s perspective on the daily life of Maycomb and also follows the other citizens of Maycomb. Lee shows us that the source of this disconnect between the higher and the lower classes is not being able to see the other person’s reality and points out this flaw in many of the characters.

Harper Lee used many strong themes in To Kill a Mockingbird to present the ideas. The book is set in the 1930’s in Maycomb, a small town in Alabama. It is seen as being a quiet town with a small population. The story is told by Scout Finch, a 5 year old girl who grew up in Maycomb. She is grown up accepting different races, but notices that the people around her are racist and are against Tom’s freedom. Scout and her family are non-violent people by nature, and are fighting with Tom to prove that he did not commit the sexual assault crimes.