Examples Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Every person enters this world with the same level of innocence. Whether that innocence is kept throughout one’s life depends on their specific circumstances. In To Kill a Mockingbird, a classic novel by Harper Lee, mockingbirds are symbolic of people who “don’t do one thing but sing their heart out for us” (Lee 119). In other words, mockingbirds are people who are innocent and defenseless, but their innocence is affected by the evil deeds of others. Dill Harris’s innocence is lost when he witnesses the inequality during the trial, identifying him as a mockingbird. Tom Robinson, an African American man in the story, is an exceptional example of a mockingbird because Maycomb’s racial prejudice outweighs his innocence. The humble deeds of Arthur

For instance, Dill cried at the courthouse after Mr. Gilmer’s unlawful cross-examination of Tom, therefore Dill mimics the actions of a mockingbird. It is that moment when the reader sees a loss of innocence by Dill. He witnesses the unfair treatment of others and catches a glimpse of racial bigotry. On the other hand, Scout and Jem had no reaction to Mr. Gilmer’s treatment towards Tom because they have experienced racial bias beforehand, thus proving that Scout and Jem are more mature than Dill. After Dill mentally broke down, Dolphus Raymond took Scout, Jem, and Dill outside of the courtroom. Raymond jerked his head at Dill stating, “Things haven’t caught up with the one’s instincts yet. Let him get a little older and he won’t get sick and cry” (Lee 269). Dill is not only influenced by the racial injustice, he is characterized by his family, devoid of parenthood. When he was residing with his mother and new stepfather, Dill felt ignored and disregarded, which lead him to run away to Maycomb. Dill’s innocence disappeared at this moment because he had to live with no family structure, forcing him experience a life without a strong family figure from a young

During the pivotal trial of Tom vs. Mayella Ewell, Tom was convicted of raping Mayella. Mayella claims that Tom forced her, but later the reader finds out that Tom was offering Mayella help and the real attack was Mayella’s abusive father, Bob Ewell. Atticus tries to lend a hand to Tom by defending him with confidence, regardless of what the community has to say to the well-known lawyer. The verdict of the trial is that Tom is guilty and he comes to the sense that in Maycomb, the words of a cruel White man is more trustworthy than the words of a honest Black man. Even Atticus could not demolish the hatred of Blacks in the jury, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case” (Lee 323). Eventually, Tom was sent to prison and he was shot trying to escape from that dreadful place. Tom is a helpless human being and he became the victim of social prejudice. Tom’s treatment is absolutely unjustified and his innocence is shot down with his body. Mr. Underwood, the head of The Maycomb Tribune, referenced Tom’s death as “the senseless slaughter of songbird,” indicating that there was a sin in killing Tom (Lee 323). Tom was a vulnerable soul, and he was forced to experience the catastrophes of