Metaphors In To Kill A Mockingbird

Authors often teach essential lessons through metaphors and characters to help character development. “To Kill A Mockingbird”, written by Harper Lee, uses mockingbirds as a metaphor for the purpose of impacting the town of Maycomb. In the novel, the citizens of Maycomb learn various lessons through the mockingbirds. Scout and Jem, children in Maycomb, comprehend the reality of Negroes through Tom Robinson. Moreover, Atticus Finch exhibits virtuous behavior, acting as a role model for the town. Ultimately, the Scout and Jem learn that you should not prejudge someone or something, based solidly on their appearance. Mockingbirds represent true goodness and purity, making it a sin to kill them; the undoing of the mockingbird teaches the youth a

lesson.
Unjust conclusions often lead to influential life lessons. A man seen as a mockingbird would be none other than Tom Robinson; he is an innocent man, who indirectly teaches the children in Maycomb lessons, along with the truth about him. Tom teaches Dill how Negroes are bestowed upon because of the colour of their skin. During Mr. Gilmer’s cross-examination, Scout and Dill go outside. During their conversation Dill says, “ ‘That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to [Tom]’ ... ‘It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to [talk to them] that way’ ” (Lee 226). Tom is being treated differently than others which causing Dill to be enraged. This is because he understands that Tom is not being treated fairly and it teaches Dill that equality is nonexistent for Negroes. Similarly, Jem learns that people of the jury are not in favour of Negroes, like Tom Robinson. While waiting to hear the outcome of the trial, Jem seems sure that the verdict will end in favour of Tom. Reverend Sykes interjects and says, “ ‘I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man’ ” (238). Jem learns that people are racist toward African Americans and tend to like Caucasians better. As a result, Tom indirectly teaches Jem that he should treat everyone with the same respect no matter what race. Furthermore, when the town believes that Tom is a crippled Negro, Jem learns that he is a humble and honest man. Following the end of the trial, which ends in Mayella’s favour, Jem mutters, “ ‘It ain’t right’ ” (242). The outcome of the trial devastates Jem because although the town views Tom as a guilty man, Jem understands that Tom was telling the truth and did not hurt Mayella. This teaches Jem not to make false judgements. Most lessons are taught to the youth but some are taught to the entirety of the population.
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Consider Atticus Finch a mockingbird; helping those in need, exemplifying how to be a role model to various people in the town. Atticus Finch teaches Scout the importance of empathy. When Scout has a bad day at school and does not want to go back, Atticus gives her advice and 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’ ” (33). Atticus gives this advice to help Scout be more empathetic. He teaches Scout that we should see other’s perspectives before saying harsh words. Additionally, Atticus teaches the town, especially Scout, that mockingbirds represent good and innocence. He teaches the town that mockingbirds are harmless and killing them is wrong. When Jem and Scout learn how to use their new air rifles; Atticus tells them, “ ‘Shoot all the bluejays you want’ ... ‘but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’ ... [Scout] asked Miss Maudie about it. ‘Your father’s right,’ she said. ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us’ ... ‘they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us’ ” (104). When Atticus tells Jem and Scout that killing mockingbirds is a sin, Scout takes it as a metaphor. She relates it to Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, people who only sing for us but are shot, destroying their innocence. Atticus teaches the town that only guilty people should be punished and innocent people should be left alone. Equally important, the town of Maycomb learns that racism is unacceptable with the guidance of Atticus Finch. Atticus makes the town agitated when they discover that Atticus aims to defend Tom (186). When Atticus’ goal is to defend Tom and win the case, it makes the town displeased because they believe that Atticus should not fight for Tom because he is a Negro. Instead, Atticus believes that everyone should get a fair chance in court teaching Maycomb how we should conduct oneself toward others.

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.............. The final mockingbird, Boo Radley, hides in his house and only comes out to save Jem and Scout. He teaches the children, especially Jem, that before judging someone, we should get to know them and not judge them based on their appearance. Jem describes Boo as a person with “a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten ... and he drooled most of the time” (14) The passage shows that the children of Maycomb speculate that Boo is a grotesque character. With Jem’s description, it persuades Scout and Dill that Boo looks as how Jem described him. Evidently, the children learn that Boo Radley is an amiable person when he leaves presents for Scout and Jem, and sews and neatly folds Jem’s pants across the fence for him (66,67). Scout learns that Jem’s description of Boo is erroneous and that Boo is much more compassionate than the children believe him to resemble.