Historical Context Of To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s novel uncovers a considerable amount of historical context with the consideration of race. It is evident To Kill a Mockingbird, discloses the overall theme of racism (Panesar). This theme integrated with historical context presents a valuable concept. To Kill a Mockingbird gives readers a clear picture of what life was like during the time period the novel was written (Panesar). The novel written in 1960, is viewed as a classic coming-of-age story that deals with the conflicts of race in the American South ("Segregation"). Critics say that To Kill a Mockingbird, is a classic novel that incorporates race with the American South. In addition to this novel having such a tremendous appeal to readers, it has a unique significance.

In addition to the Civil Rights movement, while Lee was beginning to write To Kill a Mockingbird, many historical events were making headlines, such as the bus boycott in 1955 fueled by Rosa Parks' stand against giving her seat to a white passenger ("Harper Lee" 221). This presents the important historical events that lead up to the racial divide and events in Maycomb that take place in the book. Likewise, in the Scottsboro incident that took place in the 1930's, nine African American men were blamed with raping two Caucasian women. The Scottsboro incident significantly influenced Harper Lee while writing To Kill a Mockingbird, as parallels between the Scottsboro incident and To Kill a Mockingbird are identified ("Harper Lee" 221). The parallels can be observed through the event of Tom Robinson’s trial. Robinson’s trial illustrates the current state of the south in the 1930's (Panesar). This provides insight on life in the south in the 1930’s. Lee’s novel tells the tale of an innocent black man named Tom Robinson who was put on trial for allegedly raping a white

Harper Lee decided to use the symbol of the Mockingbird to convey purity of heart, devotion, and selflessness of the characters. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are both representative of the Mockingbird ("Harper Lee" 221). This fact explains the meaning of the symbol of the Mockingbird in the context of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. First, critics compare Tom Robinson to a Mockingbird because berating him with publicity is a lot like shooting a bird that only brings pleasure to humans ("To Kill a Mockingbird"). This connects with Atticus’ belief that Miss. Maudie Atkinson presents. One Christmas, Atticus gave his children air rifles and warns them to never shoot a Mockingbird. It is eventually revealed from Miss. Maudie Atkinson that Atticus believes Mockingbirds solely provide joy to the human population and are not worthy of being shot("Segregation"). Atticus indoctrinates his children with the idea that one should not take advantage of innocence. Scout uses this lesson when the symbol of the Mockingbird is brought up in an editorial written by B.B. Underwood that discusses the death of Tom Robinson. It is brought up again when Scout tells Atticus that the role that Boo Radley played in the death of Bob Ewell would be equivalent to shooting a Mockingbird ("To Kill a Mockingbird"). Scout uses the wisdom that Atticus has imparted on her to never judge a book by its cover, to look past the appearance