Mockingbird Symbolism

Because of racism, people of Maycomb were hostile toward anyone who disagreed with them. Their actions effected Atticus, Jem, and Scout because they weren’t agreeing with the “normal” white person opinion. People being racist put Tom Robinson in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. All in all, racism can effect communities everywhere if it continues to happen. People in the world should consider each other equals no matter what race they are from.

Throughout their journey, these children experience times of unfairness where individuals were innocently accused of certain actions, tying into the symbolic meaning of the mockingbird. The novel’s title, To Kill a Mockingbird, provides significance towards not drawing conclusions immediately and not blaming individuals, like Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley, who don’t have a voice in society. Atticus, a lawyer and the father of Scout and Jem, is portrayed as the leader of Maycomb County—the person that everyone respects. Even though Atticus use to be the deadest shot in Maycomb County, he refuses to reveal that side of him to his children. Atticus wouldn’t teach Jem and Scout how to shoot, but he instructs them to, “…shoot all the bluejays you want [with the air rifles that the children received], if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 90).

It is a sin to kill a Mockingbird that just sings for people and it is a sin to judge people by outside appearance and judgements. He was discriminated, blamed for what he did not done, just because he did not abide by the status quo. Tom Robinson is just like a mockingbird, he did not do one thing wrong. They "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."

Tom was a wrongly accused of rape, and he was brutally killed because he was black. Boo Radley did not do any harm to anyone, he was innocent, but people in the Maycomb County were thinking him as a monster which hurt him mentally. Lastly, Mr. Raymond symbolized the Mockingbird because he was innocent, however only because he thought different than others, he was looked down by the people in Maycomb County. Mockingbirds in this novel symbolized the innocent people who are getting wrongly accused and their innocence getting destroyed by evil.

Miss. Maudies tells Jem and Scout, “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, (119).” Works Cited Lee, Harper. To kill a Mockingbird.

In Harper Lee’s, “To Kill A Mockingbird” a true definition of the mockingbird is shown, a symbol extremely important to the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Boo Radley is condemned – not because of his own actions but the misdeeds of those around him. Many stories were forged to generate a bad vibe for the name Boo Radley to the point that his house was essentially taboo. Later on Tom Robinson is proven as the Ultimate Mockingbird, Tom is just an average negro who tried to help out a white person, which was obviously a bad decision. Another definition of a mockingbird is innocence, which is evident in Atticus’ daughter Scout.

There is no way that a black man’s word would override the voice of a white person. No testimony, evidence or speech can help Tom prove he is not guilty. Atticus understands that Tom is victimized by racism, so he explains: “When it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (220). It is both corrupt and cruel but that is how the injustice system works. Tom Robinson is powerless.

Scout realizes that the only reason she must undergo this torment is that her father is defending a black man, which has become taboo because of the corruption that racism has caused in many people. In addition, Scout watches Tom Robinson undergo unfair treatment and false accusations. Please dont tell my parents I stole this essay. Although Atticus provides the jury and the people of Maycomb with overwhelming evidence benefiting Tom, and ultimately proving him innocent, this is not enough to overcome the powers of hate and racism. Scout watches as the jury deliberates and convicts Tom Robinson of murder because he is a black man.

These characters are representative of the author’s reoccurring symbol of the mockingbird, which signifies innocence, and subjects them to vulnerability. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, although innocent, fall victim to the hatred of society and thus emerge as mockingbirds. Tom Robinson, is black man, who is wrongfully accused of raping a white woman; while Boo Radley is believed to be a criminal because of the rumors the townspeople say about him. Because these men do not fall into the norm, their lives are greatly affected by the thoughts and opinions of the townspeople. The mockingbird is a powerful symbol that is repeatedly seen throughout the novel.

Huck Finn3 Characters found in Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn are shown as being victims of the times through their ignorance to the possibility that all men are equal no matter what color skin one has. Pap, Huck’s father, is the most ignorant character within the book. He blatantly comes out and tells the reader his feeling of blacks, while a character such as Tom isn’t so obvious. Along with these two characters, the Royal Nonesuch and the Phelps’s friends display an ignorance of the times. Huck displays ignorance at its best, and shows that with a little love, it can easily be diminished.