Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay - 526 Words

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. An example of symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird is mockingbirds themselves. When Atticus says â€Å"’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), he means that mockingbirds don’t do a single bad thing. They sing and bring joy and happiness into the world, and nothing that does that deserves to be†¦show more content†¦However, these attempts are in vain. Arthur has no intention of coming out of his house unless there was a situation that needed attention. A situ ation that required him was when Mrs. Maudie’s house burnt down. While Jem and Scout stood by the edge of their property and watched, Boo snuck out and placed a blanket around Scout without being noticed. Scout or Jem do not realize that they have a blanket until they return back home after the fire is put out, and Atticus questions it. When it occurs to them who gave them the blanket, they get excited and scared about the idea, but don’t think too hard about it. However, later in the book, another situation requires Boo’s assistance. When Bob Ewell is attempting to kill Jem and Scout as they walk home, they are near the Radley property. When Arthur heard what was happening, he came out from his house, got Bob, and saved the children. After he took Jem home and Scout followed, he stayed in the house. He wanted to make sure that Jem was going to be okay before retiring back to his house, and that is exactly what he did. Heck Tate was very generous to keep Boo Rad ley out of the news. He’s always hid in the shadows, and not many people would allow a person to stay in the shadows after such a heroic act. However, Heck knows how Boo is and allows it. This is a very kind gesture of him. There are many examples of symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird, including BooShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird791 Words   |  4 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a multi-faceted novel which explores the principles and morals of people in the South during the 1930s. Mockingbirds are symbolic of the people that society abuse. Lee narrates the events of the novel using Scout’s voice and uses this technique to add emotional context and develop themes. Themes of racial and classist prejudice are developed by Lee to challenge the reader. These techniques are all powerful ways to alter the views of the reader. MockingbirdsRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism Essay744 Words   |  3 PagesIn Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the fire in chapter 8 symbolizes a form of prejudice as it burns down the snowman. A lot of the symbolism in this book stems from the prejudice taking place against the black population in Indiana. Some of this is issued when it snows for the first time since 1885. The children make a snowman out of leftover snow and some dirt. This represents the teamwork between the Finch family and the black community. The snow brings out the innocence of children.Read MoreSymbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird1084 Words   |  5 Pagesit’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.† [p.119] In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, this issue is mentioned various times. There are three mockingbirds, Mayella Ewell, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. In order to categorize them as mockingbirds, the reader has to know what a mockingbird is. So what does it mean to be a mockingbird? A mockingbird symbolizes innocence, thus the character has to have the personality characteristic of purity. As Miss Maudie says, â€Å" Mockingbirds don’t do oneRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism Essay787 Words   |  4 PagesTo Symbolize a Mockingbird Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, we are introduced to two characters who represent her main theme. Understanding the roles the two play in this well-known classic, helps the reader understand the true meaning, and uncover various uses of clever symbolism in the book. Tom Robinson, a humble Negro, and Boo Radley, the mysterious Maycomb recluse, are both innocent in their grave situations†¦Tom, being dragged through an unfair trial with a racistRead MoreSymbolism of Prejudice in to Kill a Mockingbird1972 Words   |  8 PagesAnalyse how symbolism was used to convey an interesting idea in an extended written text Prejudice, in the 1930s, was an extremely relevant issue regarding the racism that was present throughout society – particularly in the south of the United States, which is where the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is set. Through the course of the novel, Harper Lee conveys the idea of prejudice to the reader in a variety of forms – mostly by use of symbolism. The most powerful examples of this symbolism are the useRead MoreSymbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird1267 Words   |  6 PagesIn the nineteenth century, mockingbirds were kept in cages so they could sing their beautiful music. Because of this, mockingbirds were nearly almost wiped out of parts of the East Coast. All Mockingbirds do is bring beauty to the world. Mockingbirds symbolize innocence and do not deserve to be wounded by the cruelness of the world. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Dill, Mayella Ewell, Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are all mockingbirds. They are innocent peop leRead MoreEssay on Symbolism of Mockingbirds in To Kill a Mockingbird1034 Words   |  5 Pagesstrength. Parrots are a symbol of intelligence. What about mockingbirds? How do they treat and contribute to the human mankind? Mockingbirds symbolize those who are innocent, helpful, and caring but are punished and treated badly. It is a skin to kill a mockingbird because they do not harm us in any way but sings wonderful songs to us. Some of the characters like Boo Arthur Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell symbolizes the mockingbirds in Maycomb. Boo Arthur Radley who is innocent is segregatedRead MoreSymbolism Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee2255 Words   |  10 PagesSymbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird Whether it is in literature or even shown in pictures, people use things to represent something with a deeper meaning and that’s called symbolism. In the book â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by author Harper Lee, various different themes or symbols are active throughout the book either directly, or more often, obscurely being tied to the ultimate theme of the book, which is not being able to understand someone until you experience life from their point of view. TheRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism Essay1251 Words   |  6 PagesPeople always wondered what a mockingbird represents. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the narrator Jean Louise Finch lives in Maycomb, Alabama, with her brother Jeremy Finch, her dad Atticus Finch, and her mother-figure Calpurnia. She learns many lessons in her life including â€Å"You never truly understand a person until you put yourself in their shoes † and â€Å"It is a sin to kill mockingbirds.† This ties in that a mockingbird symbolizes innocence, which proves that one should not judge someoneRead More Symbolism and Allegory in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay3753 Words   |  16 PagesSymbolism and Allegory in To Kill a Mockingbird 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 Lees 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. One of the more effective allegories in the novel is the building of a snowman