“To Kill A Mockingbird” Theme There can be many interpreted themes in “To Kill A Mockingbird” but the one that most stands out is simply in the title “To Kill A Mockingbird”. This theme is stated throughout the trial of Tom Robinson, an african american in which he is being tried for the rape of Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Throughout the trial Atticus provides sufficient evidence of why he is innocent but prejudice still rules the south and he loses the case. Later on after the trial Tom Robinson tries to escape and gets shot during his attempted escape. This leads on to the theme not to kill a mockingbird. First, Atticus says on page one hundred and nineteen saying “I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll want to go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Another quote Shown on this page said by Miss Maudie that can help support the theme is “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy”. These quotes can be compared to Tom Robinson’s case and death; where Tom Robinson did nothing but help Mayella Ewell and Tom got tried for rape and shot for it. …show more content…
This led to Mayella Kissing Tom and Tom running away from Mayella. This made Mayella mad and she wanted to cover her tracks so nobody knew she kissed a black man. This is when she took Tom Robinson to court for rape. Later on Tom Robinson tries to Escape and gets shot which is very similar to the quote that Miss Maudie gave about how mockingbirds don’t do anything but make music for us to enjoy except it’s not music, it’s breaking down
The symbolism of the mockingbird plays a huge role in the development of the theme in the novel. The mockingbird symbolizes innocence. In the book, it is believed that it is a sin to kill a man mockingbird because they bring about no harm, only beautiful music to enjoy. In the same sense, killing a mockingbird would be the equivalent of evil defeating good. This is represented multiple times in the novel through characters like Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson. All of whom try to bring about the good in people rather than focus on the evil in the community.
To Kill a Mocking Bird expresses the racist attitudes of Maycomb most dominantly in the court case involving Tom Robinson (who's lawyer is Atticus Finch) and Mayella Eule. The trial makes blatantly obvious to the reader that Tom Robinson, the black man accused of rape is innocent and yet the jury finds him guilty. It also establishes that Mayella was actually beaten by her father and although the evidence that points to this occurrence is circumstantial, it is made perfectly clear. The court case also clarifies to the reader the frightful nature and obvious abundance of racism within the small town of Maycomb.
In chapter 15 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the children will do anything to protect Atticus from getting hurt. Lee uses imagery and shift to show that the children are protective of Atticus.
one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it is a sin to
“I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after the birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mocking bird.” Atticus Finch recites these lines to his two children, Jem and Scout after he gives them air-rifles for Christmas. Scout is curious, as this is the first time that she has ever heard her father refer to anything as a sin, Scout asks Miss Maude what Atticus meant by this. Miss Maude tells Scout that mocking birds don’t rip up people’s garden’s or annoy them in any way, all they do is play beautiful music for us to listen to.
The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, is an American classic, narrated by the young Scout Finch, the most engrossing character in the book. The novel is about the adventures of two siblings over the time of about three years. Jem and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch were two young siblings who one day met another young boy named Dill. Over time, Jem and Scout grow up under the careful watch of their father and friends, learning how to be adults. They play games, they sneak into a courthouse, and they learn a valuable life lesson. Scout was an intriguing character. As the narrator, you learn more about Scout’s feelings towards the events in the book and soon learn to love her. Let me introduce you to Scout Finch.
In Celia, A Slave, a slave named Celia was sent to court because she committed homicide. However, the murder was justified, because she was trying to defend herself from her slave owner, Robert Newsom, who was attempting to rape her once again. This time around, Celia attempted to protect herself by striking Newsom, just in order to daze him for a bit. She did not intend to kill the man, but simply keep him away from her. Unfortunately, in Missouri in 1850, the only person that would be protected by law would be the slave owner, when it came to the rape of a slave. The slave owner would be allowed to immediately punish a rapist for trespassing on their property, which in this case, would be the slave. Celia, A Slave is a story that
"I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, 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." This is what Atticus Finch tells his children after they are given air-rifles for Christmas. Uniquely, the title of the classic novel by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, was taken from this passage. At first glance, one may wonder why Harper Lee decided to name her book after what seems to be a rather insignificant excerpt. After careful study, however, one begins to see that this is just another example of symbolism in the novel. Harper Lee uses symbolism rather extensively throughout this story, 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 can be seen by studying various examples from the book. This includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch.
In 1960, a novel was written to outline injustices and racism against those who were innocent, though unfairly judged because of social expectations and prejudiced beliefs. This novel not only presented these issues, but is also considered a revolutionary piece of literature, still being read by many people today, more than 50 years later. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has caused some controversy about the intents of the book and the way certain people or groups are presented. Whether To Kill a Mockingbird as a narrative outshines the issue it presents is a debatable argument. However, I believe that the narrative of the novel supports the concerns exhibited for numerous reasons. In what follows, some of these are presented: the historical
Symbolism. Why is it important in a novel? Why do authors incorporate symbols into their writing? Symbolism aids the reader in understanding what the author wants to portray. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, she writes about the racism in a small town in Alabama named Maycomb set in the 1930’s and about two children growing up and learning that their town is not as perfect as they thought. The theme topic appearance versus reality helps to get a better understanding of the symbols used in the novel and that you should not judge something by their appearance, you should judge by the reality of what it is. “As Atticus once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.” (Scout page 77) In her novel, there are many symbols throughout the narrative that relate to the theme topic appearance versus reality. Harper Lee writes symbols into her novel, such as the snowman, Mrs. Dubose’s Camellia flower and Dolphus Raymond’s Coca-Cola bottle to help reinforce the theme topic of appearance versus reality throughout the novel.
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. You know Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was misperceived at first. All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, but after he led Santa’s sleigh, they loved him. Misperceptions like this happen all throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. As you read the novel you see original judgments made about characters transform into new conceptions and new understandings. Some characters twist your views of them on purpose, others do it involuntarily. To Kill a Mockingbird shows this happening over and over again. All you have to do is look for it.
“Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). That’s what Atticus says to Jem and Scout when they want to kill birds with their new rifle guns. To Kill A Mockingbird is an excellent novel with a plethora of deep, powerful messages and themes found within the story. One theme that was especially dominant was the idea of gossip and innocence. This theme is recurrent throughout the entire novel. A symbol that aids the theme is the mockingbird, ironically found in the title of the book. Harper Lee used a variety of quotes and the mockingbird symbol to demonstrate how gossip can control a group of people (the town) and destroy the innocence found within people.
In part one of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus proves that he has a civilized heart by informing Scout and Jem about the sin of killing mockingbirds, showing his views about equality and the Ewells, and defending Tom Robinson even when the odds of winning are slim. Firstly, when Scout begins taking interest in guns, Atticus proclaims one rule for her to follow when he says, “‘Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’” (10). Mockingbirds are known for singing loud and beautiful songs. Atticus believes that one should not mindlessly shoot at something that works hard to please others. Also, the mockingbirds do not harm other birds, thus Atticus concludes that they should
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.
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, many minor themes are present, such as gender and age. However, the largest and therefore major theme of the book is racism. All of the events and themes in the book had only one purpose, to support the theme of racism. One of the most important events in the book was Tom Robinson’s trial, which was unfairly judged due to the fact that the jury could not see beyond the color of Tom’s skin. They put their own racist opinions ahead of what is right and just.