How Does Lee Use Imagery In To Kill A Mockingbird

Mitchell Morin

Mr. Day

3W

3/29/23

Jem’s Awakening: Discovering harsh realities The verdict of Tom Robinson’s case was blatantly unfair; However, some expected it while others struggled to cope with it. Because of his naivety, Jem was positive that Mr. Robinson would win the case, so he was crushed when the opposite happened. In the To Kill a Mockingbird passage in which Jem learns and truly understands the reasons why the court ruled Tom Robinson guilty, author Harper Lee uses imagery and an analogy to develop the theme that there is prejudice in society. Directly following the Tom Robinson case, Lee uses imagery to display Jem’s youthful thinking and idealistic views. First, she shows Jem’s initial actions as he begins to grapple with the

‘It ain’t right,’ he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting . . . ‘It ain’t right, Atticus,’ said Jem” (242). Jem’s original reactions to the case are confusion, shock, and anger. Lee flawlessly contrasts Jem’s anger with the cheerful crowd to help highlight his immaturity and show that he is the only one upset with the ruling. Lee also illustrates Jem repeatedly saying that the result is not right, portraying that Jem does not yet recognize the prejudice within the jury. He struggles to control his emotions as Tom’s conviction consumes his thoughts. It hurts Jem so badly that he can not even participate in a conversation: “I [Scout] stole a glance at Jem, but he was not listening. He would look up at Atticus, then down at the floor…” (242). This minor detail shows that the unfair outcome of the trial impacts Jem’s actions for the rest of the night. Eventually, Jem gathers the courage to ask Atticus how the jury could possibly convict Tom. Atticus responds that the Jury, as well as many others, have always done it and will continue doing it, but when they do it only children weep. This

First, Miss Maudie councils Jem, explaining in subtle hints why the jury voted the way it did. After that, Jem became significantly more cognizant of the whole situation. He uses a descriptive analogy to share what he has realized in his own words: “‘It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is,’ he [Jem] said. ‘Like somethin’ asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like’” (246). Jem’s analogy accurately describes his ignorance before this point. He was always in the center of the community but he was blind to the people around him. Now, he realizes that he was wrong and that the people of Maycomb are not as innocent as they seem. After Jem’s epiphany, Lee incorporates dialogue to support and further build upon the theme of prejudice. Miss Maudie responds to Jem’s thought by claiming that the people in Maycomb are the safest in the world, but Jem counters that nobody helped Tom Robinson. Miss Maudie then explains that many people did, such as Tom’s colored friends, Heck Tate, and Judge Taylor, who went against the custom and appointed Atticus to the trial. Miss Maudie then adds her perspective of the night of the