To Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism

In the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee focuses on the childhood events from Jean Louis’ point of view. Also known as Scout. Throughout the story the book portrays certain characters as a symbol of the mockingbird. Furthermore, those characters are Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo (Arthur) Radley. These characters are good examples of mockingbirds throughout the novel. The first character that symbolizes the mockingbird is Tom Robinson. Throughout the book he has proven his innocence and kindness from the trial. The quote that reveals this is when Tom Robinson was in court when he was telling everyone how he would never take advantage of Mayella inappropriately when Mr. Link Deas decided to share his opinion of how Tom acts.

Not a speck’” (Lee, 261). This quote reveals to everyone that Mr. Link Deas would accept being taken out of court if it meant standing up for Tom Robinson to be able to show how innocent Tom Robinson is. Mr. Link Deas' actions show that even though Tom Robinson is black people still want to prove how he is innocent and deserves to be sentenced to be free from any punishment. In addition, before the trial was taken into court, Scout asks Atticus about his trial. Atticus gives a good description of who he was defending, which was Tom Robinson. He tells Scout that, “He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean-living folks” (Lee, 100). This provides evidence that even before Tom Robinson gets convicted that a handful of people know that Tom Robinson goes to church with Calpurnia and their family are clean beings. This can mean that Tom can be shown as good because he does what he's supposed to which is to never do or create trouble because his family are clean folks and abide by the rules. However, Tom Robinson gets killed mentally when he was sentenced to jail even though he was innocent. This happened when Tom was taken to prision leading up to his death for the

Finding Tom guilty even when he was innocent broke Tom Robinson’s hope which killed him inside because he knew he would be sent to the chair soon and instead of having to go back to try and win again Tom lost hope. Tom knew that because he was black. Everyone knew that when colored people went on trial they never got it easily nor fair. Which led up to Tom trying to escape ending his life. “Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn’t have to shoot him that much” (Lee, 315). Tom knew that he would end up dying because he gave up hope which killed him inside. Tom tried to escape because he only had the option of trying to escape or being sent to the electric chair. This goes to show that because Tom Robinson was killed inside it meant that he lost all hope in trying to get back on his feet. Tom Robinson was an innocent and good person and therefore can be a symbol of the mockingbird. Atticus is another good example of a mockingbird because he is a good person who shows courage in the book. For example, Atticus teaches Jem that courage is important. He tells Jem that, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know your licked before you begin but begin anyway and you see it through