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Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee has used symbolism rather extensively throughout the novel
and a great deal of it refers to the problems of racism in the South
during the early twentieth century. Symbolism can be traced in almost
every important episode or event which formulates the story line.
Right from the beginning Scout's character and her outlook towards the
behavior of the people in Maycomb county symbolizes a child's innate
curiosity towards life. It also portrays the untainted intelligence
which helps her see beyond what is apparent.
Scout's understanding of Walter Cunningham's poverty and his
self-pride is a prime example of this. Even Scout and Jem's
relationship with Calpurnia symbolizes the rare understanding of
racism prevalent during those times.
Miss Maudie is a classic example of the enlightened woman living in an
age of suppressed womanhood. Miss Maudie hates staying indoors and is
always seen pottering around her garden, working on her flowerbeds.
She understands Atticus' need to fight against the racial prejudices
and believes in him absolutely. When her house gets burnt down,
instead of moping about it, she is back on her feet the next day,
restoring her house and her garden. She is thus a symbol of strength
and integrity.
Mrs. Dubose symbolizes the grit and determination of a woman, who
though aware of the fact that she is going to die soon, wants to do so
with all her wits about her. Her addiction to morphine is a negative
factor and she attempts to overcome it appreciably.
Finally, the deepest symbolism conveyed is through the use of the
concept of the mockingbird. Th...
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...with serious
thoughts, yet Harper Lee has injected humor in novel. She has made a
subtle use of humor, so that the reader can comprehend the serious
messages with the agreeable flavor of humor. Scout's childish viewing
of the entire scenario touches the reader's heart and brings a smile
to the face, while going though the entire gamut of experiences that
childhood is all about. Thus she very effectively blends entertainment
with serious morality.
The lesson of equality is also imparted very effectively. It is well
brought out that man has needlessly differentiated between the color
of complexion of people and so formed barriers of prejudice. Harper
has taken pains to convey the message that one must learn to be
tolerant towards others. Only then can a better understanding and a
stronger bond of mankind be formed.
In chapter 15 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the children will do anything to protect Atticus from getting hurt. Lee uses imagery and shift to show that the children are protective of Atticus.
In A Gathering of Old Men, by Ernest J. Gaines, racism plays a huge part of life in the south. When a white man is found dead; his family and friends start to gather to find the man who did this. After time these men start to drink and make a plan to kill the man; who just happened to be black. This just shows how even though the Civil was brought freedom to blacks, there is still hate towards them because of their skin color.
its course, this way she would be able to say her final good-byes to her
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is based during the era of racism and prejudice. This era is commonly referred to as The Great Depression and is during the mid-late 30’s. The novel is set in a small town and county called Maycomb, Alabama. The novel follows the story of the Finch’s and their struggle before, during, and after a rape trial that is set against an African American by a white woman and her father. To Kill A Mockingbird has many symbols that have a thematic significance. Flowers and “Mockingbird” type characters are the main types of symbols.
also has this mental preparation for death ,but she does not realize that death is so real and not
Symbolism. Why is it important in a novel? Why do authors incorporate symbols into their writing? Symbolism aids the reader in understanding what the author wants to portray. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, she writes about the racism in a small town in Alabama named Maycomb set in the 1930’s and about two children growing up and learning that their town is not as perfect as they thought. The theme topic appearance versus reality helps to get a better understanding of the symbols used in the novel and that you should not judge something by their appearance, you should judge by the reality of what it is. “As Atticus once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.” (Scout page 77) In her novel, there are many symbols throughout the narrative that relate to the theme topic appearance versus reality. Harper Lee writes symbols into her novel, such as the snowman, Mrs. Dubose’s Camellia flower and Dolphus Raymond’s Coca-Cola bottle to help reinforce the theme topic of appearance versus reality throughout the novel.
Harper Lee uses symbolism extensively throughout To Kill a Mockingbird,, 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 and allegory can be seen by studying various examples from the book, namely the actions of the children, of the racist whites, and of Atticus Finch.
Throughout the novel Harper Lee explores the racism, prejudice, and the innocence that occurs throughout the book. She shows these topics through her strong use of symbolism throughout the story.
"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.
Imagine living in a society where the color of your skin defines who you are. In Harper Lee’s Novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Maycomb County is surrounded in ignorance because people believe that people of a certain color are not as important as everyone else. An individual, Tom Robinson is attacked, and judged by Maycomb’s society because of false rape accusations and the color of his skin. The power of Atticus’s words show society that they were wrong about Tom because the color of his skin does not define who he is and being black does not make him a rapist. The three most important themes in To Kill a Mockingbird are knowledge versus ignorance, individual versus society, and power of words.
Maman said, “But I do not want to go and see Him right away” followed by Simone stating, “The earthly meaning of eternal life was death, and she refused to die” (Beauvoir 60). Maman loved life and life should not be denied to her because she is dying. Simone did not want to be the one to take that away from her. Many may see this as a selfish decision and that her mother should know what the problem is exact. In my opinion, even with Beauvoir withholding that information her mother knew that she would not live forever. I believe that when it’s your body their are signs and feelings that you get to let you know something is not right. From the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Morrie knew that he was sick he may have not known the exact illness but he felt something was not right. Even when he was diagnosed and given the amount of days to live he knew that it would be less. Putting the cancer aside, her mother still would have been devastated even if she would have been diagnosed with another terminal illness. It wasn’t so much the cancer that was the issue but it was leaving the earth when she wasn’t ready and not being able to live life. She made the fact of this very clear when she said, “I don’t want to die” (Beauvoir 88). You can take life for granted but when death comes it will be too late to fix any regrets you may still
How are birds symbolized to the human mankind society? Eagles are a symbol of bravery and great strength. Parrots are a symbol of intelligence. What about mockingbirds? How do they treat and contribute to the human mankind? Mockingbirds symbolize those who are innocent, helpful, and caring but are punished and treated badly. It is a skin to kill a mockingbird because they do not harm us in any way but sings wonderful songs to us. Some of the characters like Boo Arthur Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell symbolizes the mockingbirds in Maycomb. Boo Arthur Radley who is innocent is segregated from the outer world and dominated and injured by the evil. Tom Robinson who also is an innocent man is convicted and is found guilty die to the colour of his skin. Mayella who has done nothing wrong is punished severely and forced to lie to convict Tom Robinson.
A symbol in literature is an object that stands for a word, cause, belief, or another object. A metaphor is a figure of speech where a word of phrase is applied to something but it should not be taken literally. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the mockingbird symbolizes innocence. The mockingbird is innocent, singing for people to hear its music. In the book Atticus says to Scout, “Remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” When Scout asked Miss Maudie about it, Miss Maudie tells her, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… but they sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Killing something so innocent would be a sin because it had never done anything to hurt you.
In 1960, a novel was written to outline injustices and racism against those who were innocent, though unfairly judged because of social expectations and prejudiced beliefs. This novel not only presented these issues, but is also considered a revolutionary piece of literature, still being read by many people today, more than 50 years later. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has caused some controversy about the intents of the book and the way certain people or groups are presented. Whether To Kill a Mockingbird as a narrative outshines the issue it presents is a debatable argument. However, I believe that the narrative of the novel supports the concerns exhibited for numerous reasons. In what follows, some of these are presented: the historical
To Kill A Mockingbird is a bildungsroman novel by Harper Lee. In this novel there are many important and striking symbols. The repeated image of the mockingbird creates a strong and highly effective motif. Harper Lee first introduces the mockingbird to the reader in Chapter 10, when Atticus refuses to teach Scout and Jem how to shoot saying, ‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’. Harper Lee emphasises Scout’s curiosity at her non-judgemental father expressing it is a ‘sin’ to do something, as she consults Miss Maudie. Miss Maudie tells Scout that, ‘Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ Harper Lee allows the reader to explore this motif through the use of characters in the novel and the prejudice and morally wrongdoings in the fictional town of Maycomb.