Symbolism In TKAM
Daniel Martini
Mrs. Chapman
Honors Comp. and Lit.
21 November 2015 Symbolism in TKAM Symbolism plays a huge part in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A mockingbird is a form of symbolism that can describe many of the characters in this book. The county of Maycomb and Boo Radley are other examples of symbolism. In TKAM, Maycomb, Boo Radley, and the mockingbirds are all used by Harper Lee to either foreshadow or symbolize something In TKAM, the mockingbird is the most recognizable form of symbolism in the book. A mockingbird is a bird that makes music. It is a bird that causes no havoc and lives peacefully. The symbolic definition of a mockingbird is "someone who has been harmed or destroyed by the evils of …show more content…
Maycomb and the trail represent the main conflict in the story: Man vs. Society. During this time period, the equal rights movement is just beginning, so blacks are still being discriminated against. Tom Robinson is being discriminated against because he is black."Any black man would rape a white woman if he had the chance." That is the whole reason for their case. Despite Atticus' compelling evidence, they still lose. The society around them just can't imagine a white person doing this to another white person. Boo Radley was in a similar position. Everyone looks at Boo as a monster. Jem describes him how she imagines him,"He's 6 foot and a half...dines on raw squirrels and cats because his hands are bloodstained...there was a long scar across his face...and he drools all the time." She pretty much described him as a zombie. No one treated him as a human until he saved Jem and Scout's lives. Then they began to understand Boo, and why he was always in his house. Society doesn't forget the past unless something is done about it. Tom couldn't change society's perspective on him, but Boo could. Symbolism is something that is plentiful in To Kill A Mockingbird. There are at least five mockingbirds throughout the book, even though I didn't list all of them in my essay. There is a clear theme throughout the story. It is Man vs Society. That is symbolized by the Tom Robinson trial
Mrs. Chapman
Honors Comp. and Lit.
21 November 2015 Symbolism in TKAM Symbolism plays a huge part in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A mockingbird is a form of symbolism that can describe many of the characters in this book. The county of Maycomb and Boo Radley are other examples of symbolism. In TKAM, Maycomb, Boo Radley, and the mockingbirds are all used by Harper Lee to either foreshadow or symbolize something In TKAM, the mockingbird is the most recognizable form of symbolism in the book. A mockingbird is a bird that makes music. It is a bird that causes no havoc and lives peacefully. The symbolic definition of a mockingbird is "someone who has been harmed or destroyed by the evils of …show more content…
Maycomb and the trail represent the main conflict in the story: Man vs. Society. During this time period, the equal rights movement is just beginning, so blacks are still being discriminated against. Tom Robinson is being discriminated against because he is black."Any black man would rape a white woman if he had the chance." That is the whole reason for their case. Despite Atticus' compelling evidence, they still lose. The society around them just can't imagine a white person doing this to another white person. Boo Radley was in a similar position. Everyone looks at Boo as a monster. Jem describes him how she imagines him,"He's 6 foot and a half...dines on raw squirrels and cats because his hands are bloodstained...there was a long scar across his face...and he drools all the time." She pretty much described him as a zombie. No one treated him as a human until he saved Jem and Scout's lives. Then they began to understand Boo, and why he was always in his house. Society doesn't forget the past unless something is done about it. Tom couldn't change society's perspective on him, but Boo could. Symbolism is something that is plentiful in To Kill A Mockingbird. There are at least five mockingbirds throughout the book, even though I didn't list all of them in my essay. There is a clear theme throughout the story. It is Man vs Society. That is symbolized by the Tom Robinson trial