In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses foreshadowing and symbolism to portray Atticus’ response to injustice, which reveals that injustice can be found anywhere, no matter the situation's intensity. Atticus is a significant character in the novel, as he fights for what he believes is right, no matter how big or small the situation. This can be seen in the beginning and end of the novel, but most importantly, in the Tom Robinson trials. Atticus hints at responding to injustice at multiple points at the beginning of the novel. When Atticus sees Jem, Scout, and Dill playing Boo Radley, he tells them, “Stop tormenting that man” (65). Although Atticus does not know if Radly’s stories are true, he knows that what they are doing is unacceptable and disrespectful towards a man that hasn’t done anything to them. In another instance, after seeing that Jem has destroyed Mrs. Dubose’s camellias because she talked terribly about Atticus, Atticus scolds him: “Son, I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries, but to do something like this to a sick old lady is inexcusable” (138). Atticus then makes …show more content…
Atticus sees that racism is the reason behind the injustice, so he educates Jem so they will grow up to be kind people who understand right from wrong. Furthermore, Atticus reads Scout a story as she falls asleep. When Scout points out how the story's main character is being misunderstood, Atticus says, “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them” (376). He symbolizes how Boo Radley has been misunderstood throughout the novel and is a victim of injustice. Atticus is educating and shaping his children to fight for justice just like