To Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story set in the 1930’s. The timeless novel is filled with racist encounters, prejudice mentalities, and innocent hearts. To Kill a Mockingbird is a story that chronicles life through the eyes of young children, but also includes first hand accounts of racist adults in the southern town of Maycomb. It is portrayed early in the novel what being a mockingbird means in the context of the story. A mockingbird is a gentle bird that does no harm, and sings a beautiful tune. To Kill a Mockingbird is a unique novel because symbolism is avidly used. The main characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are symbolized as delicate mockingbirds. There are many different situations where a character can be categorized as a mockingbird.

Scout’s character is so unique because she is only six, but is able to form her own opinions. Scout is concrete on things that she understands. When it comes to understanding racism, she does not know the difference between right and wrong. However, Scout does understand her fashion choices. Scout is persistent in her style, because she does not want to dress like a southern belle. Scout has fought her entire life to avoid adapting to the ladylike expectations of women. Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandria faced countless attempts of telling Scout she needs to act more like a lady, Scout refuses; this is Scout’s small, personal way of not conforming to the women in society. “I wondered at the world of women... I must soon enter this world, where on the surface fragrant ladies rocked slowly, fanned gently, and drank cool water” (Lee 73). Scout’s tomboy ways seem like a small argument any parent would have with their child. In actuality, Scouts refusal is what makes her a mockingbird. Scout’s boyish style is an example of her doing no harm to anyone around, but still getting punished by the female figures in her

The reader is able to see that Boo has been misjudged by society when he hides gifts for Jem and Scout. This small gesture of leaving gifts for Jem and Scout allows the reader to observe an aspect of Boo’s true character (Lee 33). The reader is able to see that Boo is not a malicious character, in fact, this shows a major aspect of Boo’s character. Boo is thoughtful, and can also be considered vulnerable in many scenarios. After Scout realizes Boo Radley was the person who left the surprise gifts, her opinion of him changes. Scout describes Boo as harmless and shy character. Boo wants to befriend the children but does not have the courage to speak to them, due to the exile he has faced from the community. Boo’s inability to face his community while still attempting to overcome the wildly embellished rumors shows his true character. Boo is a kind, harmless, and strong character that society tried to overrun with evil. Boo is mockingbird because he does no wrong but is punished by being a victim of the