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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

527 Words3 Pages

This painting provides a multi-layered visual representation that captures the essence of Tom Robinson's character and the themes of racial injustice and societal norms in "To Kill a Mockingbird." The primary focus is Tom Robinson peering into the mirror. In the mirror reflection, we first see a mockingbird singing on a tree, symbolizing innocence. This image represents Harper Lee's creation of the concept of innocence in her novel. The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and the harm done to those who do nothing wrong. As Atticus Finch says, "It's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (103) since mockingbirds "make music"(103) and "mean no harm”(103). Tom Robinson, an innocent man, who was wrongly convicted of “rapin[g]”(140) a white woman, embodies this innocence. …show more content…

The numerous gunshots on the bird highlight how Tom Robinson himself had “seventeen bullet holes in him” (268), showing how inhumane and intentional his death was. This stark contrast represents the destructive impact of false accusations and societal prejudices that sealed Tom's fate. Despite his innocence, Tom is metaphorically and literally "shot down" by society's unfair processes and biases. The falling mockingbird signifies the loss of innocence and the devastating effects of racial injustice. Atticus emphasizes, "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" (120), highlighting the community's moral failure. On the other side of the painting is the courtroom, filled with people whose faces are blurred and look alike. This symbolizes the pervasive influence of societal norms and prejudices. Whereas the blurred faces represent a collective mindset, underscoring how deeply ingrained racism is within the community. While the mass of people who look similar to one another illustrates how individual moral judgments are heavily influenced by racist

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