The loss of innocence is a difficult experience for many, but it is a challenge we all go through. Jem, Tom, and Boo all relate to the loss of innocence. Boo was labeled as an evil person, Tom was judged by the color of his skin, and Jem was exposed to the adult world. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses a mockingbird to represent innocence in an attempt to portray the cruelty in the world.
To begin, Jem is an example of a mockingbird because he loses his innocence through his experience with the Tom Robinson trial. An example of this is when he realizes the justice system is not fair after finding out Tom lost. On page 242, Scout states, “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. ‘It ain’t right,’ he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square when we found Atticus waiting” (Lee 242). Upon hearing the results of the trial, Jem left the courtroom shocked, upset, and angry. Therefore, Jem was exposed to the prejudice in Maycomb towards people who are black. As you can see, Jem is an example of a mockingbird because he lost his faith in the people of Maycomb and the justice system,
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For instance, Tom Robinson was convicted of a crime, even though all odds were in his favor. This shows that the people in Maycomb do not care about what is right, but rather the color of a person's skin. On page 267, Scout says, “Calpurnia said Atticus told her that the day they took Tom to prison he just gave up hope. She said Atticus tried to explain things to him, and that he must do his best not to lose hope because Atticus was doing his best to get him free” (Lee 267). To explain, Tom was tired of putting his faith in the court system. Tom died because he lost hope and therefore tried to escape from prison but got shot seventeen times, as a result. In summary, Tom Robinson represents the mockingbird because he was failed by the justice
The mockingbird represents true goodness and innocence that should always be protected. Another character who shows loss of innocence is Tom Robinson. He is accused of raping Mayella Ewell but because of obvious evidence, he is innocent. In effect, he gets shot to death for being a kindhearted man who saw a girl in need of help and helped her with daily fixing’s around the house. He was an innocent man who had a family and a life, but that was destroyed because of the color of his skin.
Tom Robinson is an example of a “mockingbird,” he is accused of a false accusation, mainly because he is a black man. This can relate back to one of the many themes of the novel, “prejudice.” Atticus, Scout, and Jem are round and dynamic characters that help to progress the theme of “empathy,” as well as many lessons that Scout and Jem will learn. Morality
Scout’s loss of innocence in this novel is pretty minimal compared to the next character Boo Radley. The second character that represents a mockingbird is Arthur “Boo” Radley. Jem is growing older and starting to realize how the world is
This quote shows how innocent Tom is because all he wants to do is go back to his three kids and wife. He almost made it over to freedom where he could try to get back to his family, but Tom didn't make it over. The guards say that Tom Robinson would have made it over the fence if he had two good arms, but while trying to escape Tom Robinson is shot seventeen times. Everyone Tom saw said he was so kindhearted and was always there or ready to give a helping hand if need be, and that truly does represent everything a Mockingbird stands for. Tom's death has such an impact on everyone that even Aunt Alexandra has empathy for a black man and that shows something.
One of the main reasons why Tom was convicted of his crime was because he was black and whites often held a higher power in the courtroom. Atticus knows from the beginning that Tom will not win this trial, and he reminds his kids constantly that racism is real and it is everywhere in Maycomb. Scout seems to catch on as she starts to see racism almost everywhere she goes. Discrimination against social classes is also prevalent in the novel. An example of this is when in the beginning of the novel, the teacher, Miss Caroline, was surprised to see a kid with lice.
Every child lives in a fantasy world, they believe that everyone will always do the right thing with no hesitation. No one can say when a child will begin to mature and lose focus with this world they have allowed to believe is the same one, that everyone else is living in. Everyone goes through that one life altering moment as a child, that makes them realize their innocence has been taken, and it is only then that they are forced to see the world for its true colors. In the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Jem Finch was once living in a fantasy world, he then was force to lose his innocence by hearing the verdict of Tom Robinson’s trial, and by losing his innocence he gained knowledge that allowed him to understand Society better
Innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” (Lee 119). Mockingbirds are innocent birds who just make music, but evil can destroy their innocence. Atticus warns his children of this evil in this quote but knows that this loss of innocence, in the end, will make them wiser. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters Scout, Boo, and Jem all experience a loss of innocence that leads to a greater understanding of human nature and the realities of the world they live in today. This loss of innocence throughout the story ultimately leads them all to more wisdom.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel that explores the ideas of injustice towards “mockingbirds” people of minority difference in the 1930’s that were charged guilty for just living. During this novel, there is a man named Tom Robinson who is being falsely accused of raping a privelliged white woman from a racist family. This white family is a prime example of racism during this terrible American era. Tom represents a mockingbird because he did nothing wrong, brought the normalized racism out into the light to be questioned and he was a victim of a cruel reality that is still being portrayed in today's world. Tom Robinson resembles a mockingbird because he is not a harmful man and he was truly innocent.
There are many ways that he is a mockingbird and it is shown several times throughout the novel such as when Atticus says, “‘I guess Tom was tired of white men’s and preferred to take his own’” (Lee 258). This quote is from when Tom was killed in an attempt to escape. Atticus is talking about how Tom Robinson felt the decisions and life in general went. He didn’t feel in control of anything that was going to happen in trial.
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird the author Harper Lee creates a strong theme showing how two of the main characters represent the innocence of a mockingbird. The two characters that are portrayed as sinners are accused of by men who are blinded by pride to the point where lives are taken. The virtue of Tom Robinson is displayed throughout the course of this story. For example, a witness from the audience at Tom Robinson’s trial speaks out and announces, “I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now.
When one grows up, it is inevitable they will lose their innocence. Seeing the world through rose colored glasses can only take one so far, and eventually they will have to open their eyes to real issues in their lives. While this happens at different ages for everyone, Atticus in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee believes that his kids should not be sheltered from the real world. As Scout and Jem, Atticus’ children, grow up, especially in a time where Maycomb is so segregated, Atticus teaches his kids real life lessons and to not become like the rest of their town; racist and judgemental. This comes with a cost, however, as the kids “grow up” at an expedited rate.
A Loss of Innocence And A Gain of Maturity Have you ever experienced something that you still think about today? Or have you experienced something that you wish never would have happened? Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird Scout and Jem face many of these things, and at a young age too. During the story and the situations they find themselves in, a loss of innocence is evident.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout and Jem Finch discover that personal prejudice can influence justice, or the lack thereof. Growing up with Atticus in Maycomb is a contradiction in itself. Atticus encourages equality and raises his kids to be moral beings. However, the rest of Maycomb is very biased and racist. On page 296 Atticus tells Scout and Jem, “‘With people like us- that’s our share of the bill.
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.
Because the mockingbird is a symbol of innocence it is symbolic of the characters of Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson. Both are misunderstood and judged by the townspeople without really knowing them. Tom Robinson is killed violently due to being put in prison because