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Mockingbird metaphor to kill a mockingbird
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Symbolism in mockingbird by harper lee
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To Kill a Mocking Bird
Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has a multitude of symbolism and themes. Focusing on three major themes, justice, morality, and ethics, many uses of symbolism reflect on these themes. Using Atticus as morality, the mad dog as justice, and the mockingbird as ethics, the hidden themes of Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird become very apparent.
Starting with the theme of justice, a perfect symbol for this theme is the mad dog, Tim Johnson. Tim Johnson is just an innocent dog, who had to be killed for reasons out of anyone’s control. His name, sounding suspiciously alike to Tom Robinson, is not a coincidence. The mad dog is going through near the same issues as Tom. They are both innocent of something, yet they both
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don’t get to live. As also in the situation with Tim, Atticus is the only person who is capable of “saving the town,” or in Tom’s case, saving his life. The sheriff calls upon Atticus to kill the dog, because he doesn’t feel qualified to do so (126). Likewise, he warns Atticus when the mob is coming for Robinson; so that Atticus can go protect him. Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson because it needs to be done, and the same is true of his shooting Tim Johnson--it is his duty to protect his children, whether it is from racial injustice or a mad, rabies ridden dog. Speaking of Atticus, his morality shines through in many different areas of the novel.
Atticus is shown teaching his children moral lessons throughout the novel. In Chapter 3, Atticus teaches Scout the importance of tolerance toward others when he offers the advice that "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view; until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (39) In Chapter 5, Atticus stresses the need to respect a person's privacy when he orders the children to leave Boo Radley alone, to "... stop tormenting that man." (65) There are many other instances of Atticus’s moral views throughout the entire novel. He’s very passionate about teaching his children the truth from the very beginning, not sugarcoating anything. He expects them to learn from the …show more content…
truth. Lastly, the use of the theme of ethics can be shown by the symbol of the mockingbird.
Atticus tells Jem “"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (119) Miss Maudie later confirms the meaning of innocence behind mockingbirds, by saying “You’re father’s right. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… 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) It’s ironic that the town of Maycomb would believe this. Both are birds, innocent of doing harm. This can be seen as symbolism for the ethical injustice surrounding the town. It’s the same with blacks and whites. Why is it okay to kill one, but not the other? Why is it a sin to kill mockingbird, or whites, but not bluejays, or
blacks? This novel is said to be taken from the real life case of the Scottsboro Boys. As seen in To Kill a Mockingbird, innocent boys are convicted of a crime they did not commit. They are accused of raping two white women on a train. The Scottsboro Boys are quickly sentenced to death, even though there is more evidence proving their innocence than vice versa. Just as seen with Tom Robinson in the novel. The many themes and moral issues that are brought up in the novel can be seen easily with just a little looking. There are multiple other instances of all three themes. Underlying moral symbolism is purposefully used by Lee.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel written by Harper Lee. The novel is set in the depths of the Great Depression. A lawyer named Atticus Finch is called to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. The story is told from one of Atticus’s children, the mature Scout’s point of view. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the Finch Family faces many struggles and difficulties. In To Kill a Mockingbird, theme plays an important role during the course of the novel. Theme is a central idea in a work of literature that contains more than one word. It is usually based off an author’s opinion about a subject. The theme innocence should be protected is found in conflicts, characters, and symbols.
In the novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee some characters suffer in the hands of justice and fairness more than others. Many characters in the novel are discriminated against such as Calpurnia, Dolphus Raymond, Helen Robinson, Burris Ewell and more. However I will be focusing on the discrimination against Tom Robinson for his race, Walter Cunningham for his low socioeconomic status and Boo Radley for the rumors and supposed mental instability he holds. I chose those three because they are the most prominent and I will discuss how the discrimination against the characters therefore leads to their injustice or unfairness.
“Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). That’s what Atticus says to Jem and Scout when they want to kill birds with their new rifle guns. To Kill A Mockingbird is an excellent novel with a plethora of deep, powerful messages and themes found within the story. One theme that was especially dominant was the idea of gossip and innocence. This theme is recurrent throughout the entire novel. A symbol that aids the theme is the mockingbird, ironically found in the title of the book. Harper Lee used a variety of quotes and the mockingbird symbol to demonstrate how gossip can control a group of people (the town) and destroy the innocence found within people.
He is always available to give advice to his children, even if they make a major mistake, because he wants them to have discipline. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch shows this with his advice, his actions and his respect towards his children, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and Jem Finch. Atticus teaches his children throughout the novel with his words of advice. This leads to Scout and Jem becoming more obedient. Atticus gave Jem and Scout air rifles for Christmas.
Atticus teaches them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because in doing so you are killing something that has not done any harm to you. '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.’ This is like a metaphor to teach the children that if someone who is good and pure-hearted they don’t deserve to be treated badly or unjustly. Additionally, Atticus says “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” He says this to teach Jem and Scout to not think they know someone until they know what they are going through. Most of the town didn’t give people a chance, the white folk of the town wouldn’t give the coloured folk half a minute to get to know and understand them. It takes time for Scout to understand what Atticus was try to say, but later on in the book you get to see Scout put this into practice and is sympathetic and understanding towards Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley. As a result, throughout the book Scout and Jem grow and become more sympathetic and loving towards everybody in the town, coloured or
Also the most significant symbol in this novel is the mockingbird symbol which represents innocent people victims of a cruel society. There were two mockingbirds that were killed because one was black and the other was creepy. This was a case of injustice because two people’s lives were taken away from them because of one’s race and one being different from others. Even in a court of law some people do not get a fare trial. Only in the end when we all stand before God he will give us all a fare trial. Mockingbirds and Finches are type of song birds. Harper Lee gave the main characters’ the last name “Finch”, because the family was innocent and accepted all their neighbors.
"I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want , if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." This is what Atticus Finch tells his children after they are given air-rifles for Christmas. Uniquely, the title of the classic novel by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, was taken from this passage. At first glance, one may wonder why Harper Lee decided to name her book after what seems to be a rather insignificant excerpt. After careful study, however, one begins to see that this is just another example of symbolism in the novel. Harper Lee uses symbolism rather extensively throughout this story, and much of it refers to the problems of racism in the South during the early twentieth century. Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism can be seen by studying various examples from the book. This includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch.
Symbolism is significant throughout the novel with the mockingbird used to symbolize the theme of injustice committed upon the innocent.
Shooting birds in Maycomb is a past time, and one day, while Jem is practicing his shot, Atticus reminds him, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). A mockingbird is a harmless creature that does not harm anyone or anything. Atticus doesn't mind his children shooting blue jays because they are ordinary birds who cause problems, but he feels that mockingbirds are innocent creatures whose lives should be preserved; therefore, it would be a sin to kill a mockingbird. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley exemplify the mockingbird because they are peaceful people who have no intentions of evil.... ...
...birds are one of the main symbols. Mockingbirds are innocent they do not harm anyone but makes beautiful music. However, they get killed by people every day. There are many innocent person present in this novel; three main characters that are Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond, and they symbolize the Mockingbirds. 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.
People are responsible for acting according to their conscience. The justice system was created in order to be our aid in making moral and ethical decisions, but when the Justice system fails, we should still be able to follow our conscience to make the right the decision. In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” one of the characters, Atticus Finch, helps not only characters in the book, but the readers, understand that the legal system does not always serve justice, in fact, the legal system only is as moral and just as the community it serves. In the town of Maycomb, just like many towns in the American south during the 1930s, racism as a personal feeling and racism as a cultural, legal, and economic institution are practically one
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, many minor themes are present such as gender and age. However, the largest and therefore major theme of the book is racism. All of the events and themes in the book had only one purpose, to support the theme of racism.
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest” Ellie Wiesel. Readers may find the amount of injustice in Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird a little shocking. This could be why it’s such a popular book. People like the suspense of knowing someone’s right, but still being found guilty for something they did not do. There are many times throughout the book when people are powerless to prevent injustice but they still protest it. This shows that even when people unjustly punish there should always be someone to protest it. The theme of injustice is a common one in harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, whether it be through racism, misinformation, or Arrogance.
Much of the credit for Scout 's moral development is owed to Atticus. He is a loving, patient, and understanding father who guides his children to virtue while respecting them as individuals capable of judgment and decision. He teaches them compassion and tolerance, frequently advising Scout to "step into the shoes" of others such as the Ewell’s and Boo Radley. (Dare 96-97)
The main symbols discussed and portrayed in the book were Tim Johnson, the Mockingbirds and Boo Radley. Tim Johnson was a neighbourhood dog who appeared down the Finch’s street one day, but looked very ill and was rabid. Calpurnia the black maid working at the Finch’s rang Atticus and he shot it. Tim Johnson could symbolize the prejudice and mob mentality of Maycomb at the time and because Atticus shot Tim this represents Atticus’s morals beliefs about stopping racism and creating equality. The Mockingbird used in the title of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is the most important symbol depicted in this novel. One day Atticus told Jem that he’d rather Jem shoot at tin cans, but he knew Jem would go after birds. He gave Jem permission to shoot all the blue jays he felt like, but it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. Jem then went to Miss Maudie to ask about what Atticus had just said, "Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This conveys the loss of innocence in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and thus killing a Mockingbird is to destroy innocence. A number of characters (Jem, Tom Robinson, Dill, Boo Radley, Mr. Raymond) can be identified as Mockingbirds who have been injured or destroyed through their contact with evil. As the novel progresses, the children’s perspective towards Boo Radley matures and this replicates the development of the children. Boo Radley was once an intelligent child, only to be ruined by his cruel father is one of the most important mockingbirds as his innocence was destroyed. Luckily for Jem and Scout, Boo was merely a source of childhood superstition often leaving presents for them. Despite the pain that Boo