Tkam Symbolism

“All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for ‘STOP’” (Google). The adults in TKAM represent different life lessons, such as knowledge and equality. This symbolism is not only evident throughout the story it also plays a big role in the lives of Jem and Scout. In TKAM knowledge and equality are symbolized by Miss.Maudie and Atticus teaching Jem and Scout about the importance of thinking for themselves.
In the first half of the book Miss.Maude, being the symbol of knowledge teaches Jem and Scout about the importance of thinking for themselves.

On Scout’s first day of school, she runs into some problems with her teacher and asks Atticus if she can stay home, Instead he gives her a valuable piece of advice. “First of all, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”(pg.39 Lee). This quote shows equality because instead of putting herself above someone, like the citizens of Maycomb do to the african americans, Atticus is telling Scout to see things from that person's point of view, to set herself equal to that person.Atticus is also telling Scout to think for herself because she has to put herself in another's shoes and see things from their perspective, no one's going to do that for her. Atticus is also subtly referencing Boo Radley by implying that Scout has to put herself in Boo’s shoes and see what he sees, which she does at the end of the book. At the end on the Tom Robinson case Atticus is giving his closing argument and he says this. ”But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal-there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court on the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.”(pg. 274 Lee). In this quote, Atticus literally states that all men are created equal, and by defending Tom Robinson he is showing equality and standing up to the town