Would you ever kill a butterfly just because it flies around you. Probably not because it is innocent and hasn’t done anything to harm you. In the town of Maycomb a mockingbird symbolizes an innocent thing that poses no threat; however many characters in the book possess traits similar to that of a mockingbird and they are still harmed due to the prejudice of the citizens of maycomb. In the novel to Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the symbolism of innocence of the mockingbird to develop and describe the characters of Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, and Jem Finch.
Tom Robinson is an innocent, gentle person who did good for a damaged woman but ended up paying with his life. Tom Robinson was unjustly accused of raping Mayella Ewell, while in court,
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Tom only had intentions of helping Mayella because he witnessed the pain and suffering that she encountered in her household and wanted to help. Like a mockingbird Tom showed no harm towards Mayella and only displayed his hardworking personality, but he still ended up paying for his kindness with his life. In addition to Tom being accused of something he didn’t do, he also encountered racial injustice in the courtroom. When Atticus is closing his case he tries to convince the court to look at the facts rather than the skin color of the people. Atticus tells the judge that” This case is as simple as black and white”(lee124). Atticus uses the irony of the simplicity of black and white to try and tell the court that this is not a difficult case to understand since there are no complicated facts. THis is ironic because this case is actually very complicated ; there are racial issues presented in the case because it is a white man using his power to accuse an innocent black man. Throughout The book citizens of Maycomb describe the importance of not killing a mockingbird because to do so would be a sin. This is because all they do is make music and cause no harm, yet sometimes they still get …show more content…
When Heck Tate is talking to Atticus about Boo Crime, he tells Atticus to keep his mouth shut about Boo’s real actions because telling so would be like committing a sin. Heck Tate explains this by saying to Atticus that “ To my way of thinkin’, Mr.Finch, taking the one man’s who’s done, you and this town a great service an’ draggin him with his shy ways into the limelight— to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about the have it on my head”(lee169). Boo was a quiet man who kept to himself and didn’t bother other people. He left trinkets and toys for kids and saved scout and Jem , but because he stayed to himself and didn’t reveal himself often, people had assumed that he was a dirty man with rotten teeth and popped eyes. Boo represents a mockingbird because he was innocent and didn’t do anything to build up the reputation he had acquired. He always thought about others before himself and even though he committed a crime, it was only to prevent a worse one from happening. The attention it would bring from telling others would be a sin because in the town of maycomb it was a sin to kill a mockingbird and in the book Boo is described as having the innocence of the mockingbird. After,Jem began to understand Boo, he realized why he stays inside all the time. Jem explains to scout that “ I think I’m beginning to
Mockingbirds: Emblems of innocence in To Kill A Mockingbird There are many mockingbirds in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The image of mockingbirds represent many people in the story and how many people take advantage of them for their own benefits. Scout, a young girl who lives in Maycomb is the story’s protagonist. She lives with her brother and father and occasionally meets Calpurnia their cook. For instance, Tom Robinson and Calpurnia are treated differently because of their skin color, however they are very close to the Finch family.
Boo does this because he enjoys watching the kids as they walk home and play outside in front of his house. Essentially, Mr. Radley is portrayed as a scary man where Jem and Scout satirize Boo due to his fearful image. However, they discover how they have treated a wonderful man appallingly. Boo is essentially a mockingbird, and Scout eventually figures
Boo is unfairly judged because of his actions. He is tied with morality and is upholding his dignity and fighting prejudice. Unlike Boo symbolizing the mockingbird, Atticus is different. He tries to keep Tom Robinson from being killed.
During the trial it is revealed that Tom resisted Mayella even though the common stereotype was that all black men rape white women if they had a chance, which supports the idea that he’s a mockingbird. This gives off the idea that Tom doesn’t want to harm Mayella’s standing by having her
In Harper Lee’s book, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee personifies the mockingbirds by saying that they have done no harm and that they are not pests (90). Atticus explains to the children after they get their airguns that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird (90). Miss Maudie further explains that all they do is sing beautifully and live peacefully (90). Harper Lee uses the mockingbird to represent innocence and goodness in the people of Maycomb which makes the trial seem even worse than it is.
The amazing and profound book, To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee has inspired and moved many people of many generations. Published in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the small town of maycomb during the time of segregation. In the duration of the book you witness a court case in which an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, being accused of raping a young white woman and having a lawyer who is willing to do anything to prove he isn’t guilty. All while finding out about the scary and mysterious Boo Radley and his longing for friendship. As you are witnessing this, it is all through the eyes of a little girl, Scout Finch.
In the novel "To Kill A Mocking Bird" written by Harper Lee in 1960, innocence is displayed and shown through some of the characters including Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Boo Radley. Although these characters were innocent, they are all accused of doing something erroneous and are caused great shame because of it. The novel relates to a mockingbird because just like the bird, they had caused no harm and being punished was preposterous. One of the main characters in the novel, Tom Robinson, was charged with false accusations of raping the daughter of Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell. Tom hires Atticus to defend him in court, even though Atticus knew he had a strong chance of being defeated, he still took the case for not only Tom, but his family too.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the Mockingbird is the main symbol in the story representing how the loss of innocence influences Scout Finch and the society she sees. With the story, To Kill a Mockingbird is to destroy innocence. This shows how evil and the realization of the truth can truly show society the cruel nature of what they do. Without this realization society will become blind of their actions and negligent.
The title of To Kill a Mockingbird represents how Harper Lee feels about the Southern Society during the 1930s. She uses the term mockingbird to represent the innocent traits, and the loss of innocence that the characters face. In this novel Scout, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson all have the traits and qualities of a mockingbird. We learn early in the novel that a mockingbird symbolizes innocence when Atticus says that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Many of the events and actions that occurred, caused Scout to represent a mockingbird.
Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout learn valuable life lessons
Innocent Mockingbirds Wanted Thesis: Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Boo Radley all symbolize mockingbirds because of their traits, qualities, and actions. I. Topic Sentence: Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird because he is not harmful, he is misunderstood, and he is killed over a judgmental reason. A. Claim: Behind his skin color, Tom loved to assist others without a reward. 1. Primary Evidence: He claimed that he would Mayella Ewell without being payed by saying, “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time.
Tom was accused of raping a white woman who was Mayella Ewell, Mayella said he raped her while he was helping her with chores. She later on tells the readers that it was false allegations. The reason why she didn 't tell the truth at her first trial was because, Mayella was afraid of being embarrassed because she kissed a black male. She rather have an innocent man get charged with a crime than that. “However, Robinson was transferred from the state prison to Maycomb 's county jail on Saturday, two days before he stood trial on Monday, and Atticus had to defend him against a lynch mob”.
In our society, innocent people, known as mockingbirds, experience prejudice in their lives. A/T: In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Background: Tom Robinson is a black person who’s was accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell which he has never done. For this reason, Atticus Finch was appointed to be his lawyer. As a result, Atticus takes a stand for him by approving his case and standing up for him, but Tom was still found guilty.
In the story, the innocents are destroyed by evil, the “mockingbird” comes to represent the idea of innocence. Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Such as when Atticus says “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). Another example could be when Boo stabs Bob Ewell to save Jem and Scout, which sheriff Tate decides to say that Mr.Ewell fell on the knife, so Boo won’t have to go to court.
Mockingbirds are an important symbol because they represent goodness and innocence. In this book, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are two innocent men, similar to mockingbirds, who get taken advantage of due to their innocence. Atticus and Miss Maudie teach Scout and Jem that it’s a sin to harm anything innocent by using the example of mockingbirds. Mockingbirds are innocent because they only positively affect people through their singing.