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The Theme Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The Persecutions of Innocents
Innocence, or the loss of innocence, is a significant theme presented in several notable works of literature. In the classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the well-known theme of innocence is illustrated in a distinctive manner, which involves a comparison between characters and mockingbirds. The mockingbird acts as a central symbolic reference to the aspect of innocence or purity. Three of the most prominent of mockingbirds are Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Mayella Ewell, who present the ultimate symbolic reference of innocence through their pure natures and persecutions.
Although, most blacks are recognized to hold less importance and to possess dishonest roles in the town of Maycomb, Tom Robinson defies that statement with his audaciousness to take a stand for himself and his benevolence towards others despite racial barriers, which significantly displays him as an honest man and essentially one of the ultimate symbolic references of the mockingbird. Moreover, Tom Robinson, an …show more content…

The metaphorical characters definitely share various similarities compared to the mockingbird. Tom Robinson and Arthur (Boo) Radley are both innocent characters that do not inflict harm on others, but society disregards their say and persecutes them irrationally. Also, Mayella Ewell is a fallen mockingbird that once struggled for innocence, punished herself by leading an innocent man to die. However, no matter the damage society inflicts upon Tom, Arthur, and Mayella, they will still encompass a bit of innocence deep within themselves that will never be destroyed. Additionally, Harper Lee, illustrates a well-composed novel that explores mature topics of prejudice and racism, all while addressing a major metaphorical message that it expresses to kill a mockingbird is undeniably the ultimate evil of our

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'Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty...' I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each "guilty" was a separate stab between them… (Lee 211). Jem and Scout Finch from the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Arnold Spirit (Junior) from The Absolutely True Diary by Sherman Alexie all show that innocence is lost when compassion is found. In To Kill A Mockingbird, both Jem and Scout show innocence.

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The mockingbird in To Kill A Mockingbird is symbolic of innocence. Early in the novel, Atticus, the father tells the children Scout and Jem that it is a "sin to kill a mockingbird". Later Scout asks Miss Maudie what he meant by that because she has never heard her father say anything was a sin. Miss Maudie explains his reasoning by saying that all mockingbirds do is provide beautiful music. They do not harm anyone, they don't bother anyone, and they "sing their hearts out for us."

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