To Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism

What does a mockingbird symbolize? A mockingbird symbolizes the idea of innocence. Throughout the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ written by Harper Lee, the idea of innocence is prevalent. THe title, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ reveals the statement of killing the innocence of its characters. Characters who most exemplify a mockingbird are Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Jem. Overall, these three show signs of symbolism of the mockingbird the most.

Boo Radley is a great example of a character who exemplifies the symbol of a mockingbird. Boo Radley is the reclusive neighbor of the protagonist of the story, FInch. A mockingbird is a harmless and innocent individual who would never harm anything. Even a fly. Like a mockingbird, Boo Radley is an innocent

Tom is a black man who is unfortunate enough to get accused of raping a white woman, becoming the target of the towns prejudice and racism. He symbolizes the mockingbird through and through from how innocent and vulnerable he is. Tom is first introduced as a hardworking and humble man who is respected by the community. He is known for helping others. When accused, Tom was unable to help himself. Even though “He’s never hurt a [white] soul, he’s never bothered a [white] person in his life, he’s as good as dead already, [..]” (Lee 9). This quote proves the injustice towards Tom. He, like a mockingbird, is an easy target for ‘hunters’. Throughout the trial, Tom maintains his innocence and his honest testimony reveals the true nature of the crime. “He ain't ever hurt us, Atticus,” (Lee 266). This quote, by Jem, explains that Tom never harmed them and highlights the false accusation from Mayella. Giving more depth and evidence towards Tom’s innocence. However, even with his overwhelming amount of evidence, Tom is found guilty. The injustice of his conviction highlights the racism and prejudice against him, an innocent coloured man. Like a mockingbird, Tom’s innocence is shown through the novel. However, like the title, the prejudice and highlighted racism ‘killed the

Jem is the older brother of the protagonist, Scout, and throughout the novel, he undergoes a significant transformation from childhood innocence to understanding the harsh realities of the world. In the beginning of the novel, he is shown as a curious and adventurous young boy who is still learning about the world. Jem’s innocence is emphasized through his unwavering belief in the justice system and fairness. He believed the legal system would always do what's right, showing us the innocent and naive side of him. “Jem was born a hero.” (Lee 241). Heroes in stories, like Jem, strongly believe in justice. They are pure in heart and have an unwavering belief in fairness. Which is why this quote is comparing Jem to a hero. However, this ideology of fairness and justice soon turns around when Tom Robinson is falsely accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit. Like that, the innocent and naive boy was no more. Like the title of the story, a mockingbird was killed. His innocence lost and the truth of how the world works in front of his face, Jem became devastated. His character highlights the importance of empathy and understanding . Throughout his interactions with Boo Radley, Jem learns to see beyond rumors. He comes to learn that behind every rumor is false accusations. That those who carry the rumors can be complete opposites. "Atticus was right. One time he said you never really