Summary Of The Book 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

1. The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence which Atticus brings up when he says it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains it. “Your father's 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.” (119) Boo is the classic example of a mockingbird. He was an innocent child, but was held captive by his parents and religion. Yet all he does throughout the whole novel is good. He leaves little trinkets, mends Jem’s pants, covers Scout with a blanket, and, in the end, kills for them. Boo’s existence has revolved around these two children as he

When Atticus first receives Tom Robinson’s case, he feels reluctant to take it because of the racism surrounding Maycomb. After he accepts the case, Atticus begins to believe that Tom could be the start of a movement throughout Maycomb. The way Atticus is raising his children is a step forward, away from racism and toward equality. When Tom, an innocent man, died, it should have been a clue to Maycomb about the injustices of society. Yet, as Atticus tells his children, the change probably won't happen until their children. The circle ladies are the classic example of dainty women. They eat teacakes, gossip, and talk about the poor heathens living in other parts of the world. These ladies are the socially acceptable women of Maycomb. Scout is not society’s perfect image of a little girl. She should be a “little ray of sunshine,” not running around in her overalls. As the novel progresses, these ladies show a tougher side. When receiving the news of Tom’s death, Aunt Alexandra puts on a smile and continues to act like a lady. After Miss Maudie’s house burns down, she continues to look on the bright side, saying now she will have more room for her azaleas. The view on women changes as Scout realizes that a being a lady means many things, including being

The trial of Tom Robinson is the instance where Scout and Jem are fully immersed into the racism in their own little town of Maycomb. Tom’s jury is all white, and Atticus knows they have no chance of winning the case. “The only thing we've got is a black man’s word against the Ewells’… The jury can't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells’.” (117) The Ewells are a family of white trash, looked down upon by all others in Maycomb. “Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells… People like the Ewells lived as guests of the county… No truant officer could keep their numerous offspring in school; no health officer could free them congenital defects, various worms, and the diseases indigenous to filthy surroundings.” (170) But even a man such as Bob Ewell, who spends his relief check on alcohol while his children starve, beats and possibly molests his daughter, is above a black man. Tom is described as part of a good wholesome family, while Ewell is scum. Yet, because of the difference in their skin tones, Tom’s fate is decided before he has even had his