Symbolism In To Kill A Mockingbird

The symbolism of mockingbirds in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is important because it helps define what Harper Lee is trying to say about the major issues that come up in the book such as race, gender, and class. Two of the main characters, Jem and Scout, are mockingbirds. Growing up in a town like Maycomb forces them to lose their innocence at younger age, especially because their father is a lawyer. Their idea of good and bad is taken away, and the Tom Robinson case shows them that society does not always play fair.

There are two characters in the novel that are the first obvious choices for mockingbirds. The first, is Tom Robinson, who is found guilty of raping a white woman. He did nothing but help Mayella around the house until she

The first, is Tom Robinson, who is found guilty of raping a white woman. He did nothing but help Mayella around the house until she came onto him and her father witnessed it. Tom is convicted because he is black, and choosing his word over a white mans was against the rules of their society. “When it’s a white man’s word against a black mans, the white man always wins”(Lee,252) Although Mayella and Bob Ewell are considered white trash, the color of their skin is the only thing that separates them from Tom. While in jail, Tom tries to escape and is shot. Although he is in jail for commintting a crime, Tom did nothing wrong. For most people in town, the news about toms death reinforces the racist stereotypes they have about African Americans. “Just shows you, that Robinson boy was legally married, they say he kept himself clean, went to church and all that, but when it comes down to the line the yeneer’s mighty thin. Nigger always comes out in ‘em”(Lee,276). For some, it was hard to watch by while an innocent man was killed. Mr.Underwood, who is known for hating African Americans, surprisingly published an article in his newspaper about how killing Tom was a sin because he is crippled and can not hurt anyone. “Mr.Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children”(Lee,276). The second is Boo Radley. Although he has not been out of his house or seen for years, there is a lot of gossip about him. Boo kills Bob Ewell with a knife when he attacks Jem and Scout. After Heck Tata finds the body, he claims that Ewell fell on his knife. He lied because he know that if the truth got out, it would push Boo into the spotlight. “Draggin him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that’s a sin”(Lee,318). Doing something like this is similar to hurting a