How Does Lee Use Symbols In To Kill A Mockingbird

Symbolism Essay The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, takes place in the 1930s, during the time of the Great Depression, a very devastating period for Southern families. With the novel taking place in Maycomb, Alabama, we get a brief perspective of our main character Scout, a very bold, and enthusiastic character that uses implicit biases throughout the novel which shows the standards of racism during the time frame. Jem, is Scout’s older brother, playing the role of the protector and symbol of guidance to Scouts. Atticus Finch, being Jem and Scout’s father, lawyer, and is the peace bringer of the novel, who is seeking to bring closure to Maycomb unjust properties and is defending the case of a black male named Tom Robinson.

‘He won't be black long,’ he grunted.” (Lee 66) The snowman being constructed with mud encourages the thought of a “black snowman” to Scout, which she has never seen before. This “black snowman” could also represent the negro, and with Jem saying, “He wont be black long,” (Lee 66) that being hes going to cover it with snow soon, resembles the oppression of the negro prospering in the town. Consequently, this quote dissects the horrific power of prejudice, ideas having an influence on the towns peoples beliefs. As the plot thickens, we jump into the Robinson v Ewell court case. We see in this court case Mayella changes her words in her testimony multiple times as Atticus asks his physiological questions. Lying, Mayella says “No”. I don’t remember if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me.” (Lee 248) With these signs of lies being blatantly ignored by the court, white washing and the snowman foreshadowing oppressing black prosper in Maycomb’s community’s minds. Following this, Lee uses a mockingbird to foreshadow the conviction of Tom Robinson’s case. The symbolism is told to us by Atticus as a sin to kill a mockingbird. During this time in the

Atticus was not in favor of teaching Jem and Scout how to shoot their new air rifles due to him not being interested in guns. One day when the topic of “air rifles” was brought to Mrs. Maudie, who is the neighbor of Jem and Scout, she said to Scout, “Your fathers right,’ she said. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 119). Metaphorically, this symbol signifies it is unjust to kill an innocent person. As the story goes along its tracks, we jump back into the Robinson v Ewell court case. We witness discrimination, we witness prejudice, we witness racism, we witness lies. We get the denial of Tom Robinson’s innocence in multiple cases where Mayella clearly lies. As the case is closing out, it seems to be leaning towards the Ewell side due to racist ideals ruling. Scout narrates, “I shut my eyes, Judge Taylor was polling the jury: ‘Guilty. guilty. guilty.guilty.’ (Lee 282) This quote shows the exact moment the