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What Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a Mockingbird is used to symbolize other characters in the novel. While there are connections to a few characters in the novel, Tom Robinson stands out by his traits. Additionally his circumstances help to draw even more connections to the mockingbird. This idea may have another meaning beyond just a bird. The mockingbird’s presence in the story portrays similar traits as Tom Robinson, communicating how your treatment of others around you should always be thoughtful and considerate, as anything less could be sinful.
In the novel, Jem and Scout are taught that it is sinful to kill a mockingbird by both Miss Maudie and Atticus. “I would rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know …show more content…

The Ewells had Tom tried and convicted, in spite of the fact that he was innocent. “I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them” (282). Tom went on to receive a death penalty for the crime of raping Mayella Ewell, though he is really innocent. He was undeserving of this punishment. “‘You know what we want,’ another man said. ‘Get aside the door, Mr. Finch’”(202). A mob of men showed up to Tom’s jailhouse, wanting to have him killed without a trial because they were certain that he was guilty, due to the fact that he was black. Tom still had done nothing wrong, and did not deserve to be killed. There were even more instances where Tom was unnecessarily harmed in the novel that further strengthen this …show more content…

Tom was always helping people whenever he could, and did not even worry about his crippled arm as long as he could help someone. “‘No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn't seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn't have no nickels to spare’”(256) Tom always did what he could to help Mayella even though she never paid him. All Tom wanted to do was help Mayella out. “‘I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy’s worked for me eight years an’ I ain’t had a spec o’trouble outa him. Not a spec.’”(261) It is known by the people who actually know Tom, that his heart is for others. He can work hard and diligently like one should. Link Deas in this instance knew that Tom was a good man, and literally stood up for him. Tom’s character was revealed by the way he treated others and always tried to benefit

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So Tom tries to get on Mayella´s good side by helping her with some tasks. While Tom was helping Mayella with some chores she accused Tom of

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Who is a symbol of a Mockingbird and what does a Mockingbird symbolize? Tom Robinson from Harper Lee's novel To Kill A MockingBird symbolizes a Mockingbird. The bird represents innocents and it does no harm to others. Mr. Robinson symbolized the Mockingbird because he was fated to death even when he was innocent. Also, Tom is disabled and is unable to use his left hand and arm.

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In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, there are three characters who symbolize mockingbirds by their outgoing qualities. These characters try to make peace between races in Maycomb County and stop the prejudice and hate between each race. A mockingbird is a song bird that displays peace and creates wonderful music for the world to enjoy, therefore like Miss Maudie stated, "Mockingbirds do not do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They do not eat up people's gardens, do not nest in corncribs, they do not do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That is why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird" (90).

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The conversation occurred while Tom was being interrogated by the prosecuting attorney. Tom was asked questions about why he often helped Mayella and one of his responses was “ Looks like she didn't have nobody to help her. I felt right sorry for her. She seemed…” (Lee 264).

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In the book to Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper lee, the story of the loss of innocence and growing up is told thru a young girl, Scout’s eyes. A black man is on trial for raping a white woman in the south during the 1930’s Joan Robinson was found guilty despite the evidence that he could not have done the rape. No doctor was called, bruises on left side of face, no use of left hand and mayella kept changing the story. Even though Bob Ewell made the excuse to Atticus in the courtroom that he did not call a doctor because it was not necessary and that he had no money, his primary reason was because he needed time to think up a plan to get himself out of the mess he had caused. Tom Robinson is called to the witness stand.

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The mockingbird in To Kill A Mockingbird is symbolic of innocence. Early in the novel, Atticus, the father tells the children Scout and Jem that it is a "sin to kill a mockingbird". Later Scout asks Miss Maudie what he meant by that because she has never heard her father say anything was a sin. Miss Maudie explains his reasoning by saying that all mockingbirds do is provide beautiful music. They do not harm anyone, they don't bother anyone, and they "sing their hearts out for us."

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Jem expressed his thoughts on the verdict by saying, ‘‘‘Doesn’t make it right,’... ‘You can’t convict a man on evidence like thatyou can’t’’’(220). Jem knows that something is not right because the evidence obviously proved that Tom was innocent. He is learning that the judicial system is unfair and bias against blacks. Since the system is prejudice against African Americans, there would be no way Tom would be ruled innocent.

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Scout writes “Tom's death was typical. Typical of a niggers mentality to have no plan. No thought of the future. Just run blind the first chance he saw” (Lee 322). The fact that Scout writes, that Tom was just a typical negro man, show that Tom symbolizes a mockingbird because just from being that minority color, in his time, people thought of him differently, not as an individual but a group.

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In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird is a metaphor for Tom Robinson. While mockingbirds are discussed in the novel as literal birds that harmlessly sing and entertain, Lee clearly uses the mockingbird to symbolize Tom Robinson. One reason that supports this idea is a Robinson is a innocent man who tried to help someone but then was convicted of rape. Another reason that supports the metaphor is Tom, the innocent songbird, was put on trial for his life and was convicted guilty. This inhuman action of murdering an innocent and harmless man who wanted to help is like the killing of a harmless songbird.both are innocent, and both murders are wrong.

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Tom near the beginning of the novel is portrayed as a kind person, though he might be swift to anger, he is also quite independent. Tom is more than just average or normal he shows strength, power, thoughtfulness, support and the wit or courage it takes face the next challenge. Throughout the novel Tom begins to become committed to helping his family and better their

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1000 Words | 4 Pages

I felt right sorry for her” [Lee 180]. He even feels bad for Mayella because he knows that she does not have anyone to help her. She takes advantage of this and ends up getting him killed. Tom is a genuinely kind person and is courageous enough to take on a crime he does not commit.

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Stephen Kings is a highly celebrated American author of contemporary horror, thriller and science fiction. With over 200 stories and over 50 novels published in the last 5 decades, he is a known figure not only in the literary society but also in the entertainment industry, with his works being turned into movies, TV Series and comics. Most of his famous works that will be called classics are based on supernatural horror, with science and psychology thrown in the mix for just the right effect that makes them relatable to readers on a completely different level than the stories of other horror writers. King is celebrated for his knack of using the mundane lives lead in unexciting and monotonous towns, with dull and glaringly unremarkable people,

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Tom Robinson is a mockingbird in that he doesn't do one thing wrong. All he does is provide help to the people he interacts with. That is exactly how he got in trouble. Tom Robinson was helping Mayella with some chores. He was humming a melody and when he chopped up the dresser drawers.

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658 Words | 3 Pages

Tom Robinson was put on trial and proven guilty for the raping of Mayella Ewell. However there was no hard evidence that proved Mr. Robinson was guilty. Actually Atticus made it very clear that Bob Ewell was the only one guilty of anything. During the trial Atticus states “We do know in part what Mr. Ewell did: he did what any God-fearing, persevering, respectable white

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1730 Words | 7 Pages

Scout and Jem have just received air guns from Atticus for Christmas, and they are learning what they’re not allowed to shoot at. Atticus tells them, “‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’. That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something” (119). This is the first time Scout hears Atticus say it is a sin to do something, which means that Atticus is being serious. We know that he hates shooting, because he has kept his skill as a marksman a secret, so when he tells the children they can try to shoot bluejays but not mockingbirds, he gives the idea that mockingbirds are special.

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