Essay On Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

658 Words3 Pages
In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, symbolism is used throughout the novel. The novel takes place in the 1930s in Alabama, in which racism was at its peak. Harper Lee uses her characters to symbolize justice, morality, and ethics: Tom Robinson symbolizes the mockingbird because of his innocence; Atticus Finch symbolizes morality because of his refusal to back down from his principles; and the blue jay symbolizes Bob Ewell. Miss Maudie explained, “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). In this novel, Tom Robinson best portrays the mockingbird. He is a good citizen of Maycomb County. Tom goes to church, works, and is a loving father to his children. When he helps Mayella, he is falsely accused for rape. In this 1930s the Scottsboro case began when two white women wrongfully accused nine black men for rape. All nine boys were found guilty, even though they…show more content…
The blue jay personifies the amoral people of society such as, Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell is a racist drunkard consumed by the wicked ideas of society. He drinks away his pay checks, beats his daughter, doesn’t provide for his family, and is not socially acceptable. Because of his hatred towards black people, Bob dishonestly accuses innocent Tom Robinson for raping his daughter. Bob’s ability to lie to the town and jury allows him to win the case. Since Atticus defended Tom, Bob Ewell holds a grudge against Atticus. Bob Ewell seeks revenge on Atticus and attempts to murder Atticus’s children. The night Bob tries to kill the children, the tables are turned, and Bob Ewell is murdered. Going back on the quote, the blue jay was finally caught for his wrongdoings, and

More about Essay On Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document