Slaughtered Songbirds: Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird Mockingbirds are some of the most intelligent and beloved birds in America. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, set in 1930s Maycomb, Alabama, uses many recurring symbols to explore the topic of racial injustice. Described by Miss Maudie Atkinson as a gentle bird who does nothing but sing its heart out, the mockingbird is used throughout the story to symbolize innocence and goodness. With hearts full of kindness and humanity, Tom Robinson
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee reveals an aspect of a small fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama set in the 1940’s during the years of the Great Depression. The novel reflects the ideas of conscience, courage and conviction through the story of two young children Jem and Scout growing up with their unconventional father Atticus, a small town lawyer. The novel is concerned with a series of events and experiences from which Scout and Jem observe and evaluate a series of situations and valuable
and Innocence “To kill a mockingbird is a sin.” Atticus tells his children this is because the birds are innocents that never do harm. Lee uses this and many other symbols to tell the story of race relations in the deep south of the 1930s. Racism was substantial during the time she was writing the novel. Because of this atmosphere, the story was not an uncommon one. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, she shows the racism against a black man accused of a crime he does not commit. She uses
novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are examples of how words can make people question, doubt, or even just plain out hurt. To Kill a Mockingbird is a bildungsroman, about Scout Finch and her early years in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama. Once befriending Charles “Dill” Baker Harris, who visits every summer, Dill, Scout, and her brother Jem, investigate the curious case of Arthur “Boo” Radley, the seldomley seen neighbor. Many times he would show affection by leaving presents, but only
Justice is the equality for everyone THESIS STATEMENT: In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Atticus’s search for justice to illustrate that justice is not fair and it is not served to those who were innocent. Atticus believes that justice is fairness and equality for all races, not only by law, but in everyday life. He believes that fairness is the foundation of justice and justice is the first step in creating equality for all. When talking to his brother, Atticus says, “Before
Even the greatest people in the world have faults. Atticus the hero from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is seen as the most moral and wise figure and is well respected in the Maycomb community. Because he is such an admired figure, Atticus is asked to take on a case that many would refuse, defending a black man. As the children face the racism in their town, do to the trial, they often turn to Atticus for condolence. Atticus has the admirable qualities of compassion, conscience, and restraint
Many people accuse Tom Robinson guilty of rape, but he really is innocent. Thus conveying the theme of how people should not judge a book by its cover. Fierce, Mr. Ewell yells, "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella" (Lee 231). Mr. Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of raping his daughter, Mayella Ewell. At the trial, there are two versions of Tom’s relationship with Mayella, and they offer two different stories: Mayella and her father tell the story that everyone expects to hear, about Tom
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, there are many times that people and society experience many challenges and conflicts.. Harper Lee’s novel is all about people overcoming fears and stepping over the boundaries, what is part of the cause to all of these conflicts. To overcome these challenges and issues in the world or with people, you have to work together to accomplish and achieve that goal together. This book takes place in the southern town, Maycomb alabama. This town is small, where “Everybody