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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

446 Words2 Pages

The mockingbird serves as a powerful symbol in Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," representing innocence, vulnerability, and the need for protection. The symbol is used to represent different characters in the story, including Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. This essay will discuss the significance of the mockingbird symbol in the novel and how it relates to these characters.

Atticus Finch introduces the mockingbird symbol, telling his children, "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 corn cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us." The mockingbird serves as a metaphor for innocence, specifically the innocence of those who do not harm anyone …show more content…

He is falsely accused of rape and stands trial, with the evidence overwhelmingly in his favor. However, he is convicted due to the deep-seated racism in the community. Tom is an innocent man who only helped Mayella Ewell, the woman who accused him, out of kindness. His trial and conviction represent the loss of innocence and the destruction of someone who did not deserve it.

Boo Radley is also compared to the mockingbird, representing vulnerability and the need for protection. He is a recluse who is misunderstood and feared by the community. The children, Scout and Jem, initially view him as a monster but later come to see him as a gentle and kind person who only wants to protect them. In the end, Boo saves Jem and Scout from an attack by Bob Ewell, Mayella's abusive father. This act represents the protection that vulnerable individuals need.

The mockingbird symbol has a significant impact on the novel's themes and messages. One of the main themes is the destruction of innocence, specifically the loss of innocence that comes with growing up and experiencing the harsh realities of life. The mockingbird symbolizes the innocent people who are destroyed by society's prejudices and injustices. It also represents the importance of protecting those who are vulnerable and need

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