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. Although Atticus got judged and got called a "nigger lover", he continued to believe in what he thought was right, which was standing up for an innocent member of Maycomb. Atticus symbolizes a mockingbird because even though all he had done was stand up for what he believed in, he was hated and judged by his own community. Atticus believes that "it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird".
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He had assisted Mayella Ewell out with work around the house and it resulted with her sexually assaulting him and not letting him leave her home. He did not want to harm her in any way."Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to 'thout bein' ugly to her. I didn't wanta be ugly, I didn't wanta push her or nothin'. Her father then caught them and make an accusation that Tom was raping her, therefore got charged with rape and even though he had Atticus, a successful and respected lawyer by his side, Tom was found guilty because he was black. Tom tried to escape and while he was running, an officer shot him dead. He symbolizes a mockingbird because he was only doing good needs to a white lady and did not deserve what he got in return, which was contempt and
Throughout the book, Atticus tries very hard not to expose his children to Maycomb’s disease, but his attempt in sheltering them from the racism flowing throughout the town isn’t as successful as he had hoped; Jem and Scout are picture perfect examples of what the loss of innocence can do to children. On Scout’s first day of school, she is about as excited as a child can get; naturally, she would think her teacher would be amazed at her astounding reading capabilities, but upon reading the alphabet and quotes about the stock-market from The Mobile Register; and explaining that her father, Atticus, taught her what she knew Miss Caroline simply said that Atticus, “does not know how to teach” (23). Just by telling her this Scout felt as if it
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson’s innocence can be proven through Mayella's injuries, Bob’s history of neglect, and discrepancies between Bob and Mayelaa’s testimonies. First, Tom’s disability makes it impossible for him to have caused Mayella’s injuries. For example, Heck and Bob testified that all around her neck and the right side of her face is bruised. Tom could not have done this because his left hand is weak and mangled. Bob on the other hand is left-handed.
During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus is the defending lawyer. He tries to turn the jury towards Bob Ewell the father of the rape victim. Atticus shows the jury that Mr. Ewell could have easily beat his daughter. The main idea that Atticus uses is that Tom Robinson didn’t hurt Mayella Ewell it was Bob Ewell. Although, at the end of the trial, Tom is found guilty and Bob Ewell grows a personal vendetta against Atticus.
Innocence is the light in the world and each child is born with it. It’s only a matter of time until it’s ripped from them. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A mockingbird, Scout, Jem and Dill’s childhood innocence are slowly wore away as they realize the world isn’t as bright as they think. The word “Dibs” can be a child’s downfall or their triumph. Only three letters give a child the security of a certain fate, but in a court trial, Jem’s eyes are opened to the possibility of losing no matter how you play your cards.
That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Through the sufferings of Tom Robinson, Jem, Scout, and Arthur “Boo” Radley, Harper Lee teaches the loss of innocence. The loss of innocence in the novel is evident during the events in the Tom Robinson trial. This was when Mayella and Bob Ewell accused Tom Robinson, a black man, of raping Mayella Ewell.
RMockingbirds 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"( Lee, 93). The mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird represents many forms of innocence. Tom Robinson has been discriminated by the color of his skin and has not hurt anyone.
“Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” This was said by Robert South and it portrays the loss of innocence of Scout Finch throughout the book. In the beginning of the book Scout is an immature 6 year old that does not use her head to solve problems she uses either her mouth or her hands, Atticus and Calpurnia are the mature figures in the house and they help her the best they can for her to grow up a mature young lady. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author uses characterization to reveal that the loss of innocence happens quicker to those who grow up in a more mature environment. Harper Lee demonstrates Scouts character as a young unsophisticated girl that reacts impulsively especially when Walter Cunningham
“As Swift as a Bird: The Loss of Innocence” Harper Lee once wrote, “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” This quote can be shown true. In 1955, a young black male was killed and dumped in the river, only being found five days later. The boy was identified as Emmett Till and it was proven that two white males were responsible for the murder due to overwhelming evidence, but neither one of them were charged for their crime. This trial turned out to be one of the most famous trials in American history and is still talked about today because of the blatant bias towards the whites in the 1950s.
Mayella Ewell the girl who Tom is accused of raping had bruises, and a beat up face from the seen, but this was from someone who led with their left hand, and Mr. Robinson “swore out a warrant, no doubt signing it with his left hand, and Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses- his right hand.” (Lee 204) Tom’s hand shows he is innocent, he couldn’t have possibly beaten Mayella so savagely with his non dominant hand. Tom is represented by the mockingbird when he is proven innocent by Atticus. The jury destroyed his innocence when they convicted him of a crime he did not commit, even when the evidence is on his side.
Every person enters this world with the same level of innocence. Whether that innocence is kept throughout one’s life depends on their specific circumstances. In To Kill a Mockingbird, a classic novel by Harper Lee, mockingbirds are symbolic of people who “don’t do one thing but sing their heart out for us” (Lee 119). In other words, mockingbirds are people who are innocent and defenseless, but their innocence is affected by the evil deeds of others. Dill Harris’s innocence is lost when he witnesses the inequality during the trial, identifying him as a mockingbird.
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, an innocent young girl Named Jean Louise Finch [Scout] is growing up in a racist southern town and is exposed to a very heavy conflict that she doesn’t quite grasp yet but must go through anyway, showing that innocence can be blind to the most obvious problems but may unknowingly manage to solve them in positive ways. Scout is a young girl and sometimes doesn’t grasp adult situations correctly “Don’t you remember me Mr. cunningham? I’m Jean Louise Finch. You brought some hickory nuts one time remember...
“Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird,’’ This is a famous quote from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. In the book a Mockingbird is a sign of innocence and is the symbol for several characters. Including: Tom Robinson, Scout, Jem, Dill, and other characters. Harper Lee shows that the innocent doesn’t always get what they deserve, and they sometimes lose their innocence, but other times it can help them out in risky situations.
Being a lawyer is not the easiest thing to be, trying to prove one’s innocence or even guiltiness in the court of law. In Harper Lees To Kill A Mockingbird, A man by the name of Atticus Finch is a lawyer for the town of Maycomb County trying to prove the innocence of Tom Robinson for the rape of Mayella Ewell. Atticus’s arguments throughout the case make valid strong points to persuade the jurors to see his innocence by trying to prove that Tom never laid a hand on her and that Tom never raped her. During the first part of the trial in chapter 17, Atticus calls up Mr. Bob Ewell, Mayella father, to testify.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the term mockingbird symbolizes innocence in a person. In the novel it focuses on the fact that innocence, represented by the mockingbird, can be wrongfully harmed. There are two characters: Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley that are supposed to represent the mockingbird. In the novel, Tom Robinson is the best example of a mockingbird because he is prosecuted for a crime he did not commit. Also, he was judged unfairly based on the color of his skin in his trial.
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.