... symbolic weight in the book in three different ways. In the story to kill a mockingbird is a representation of innocents destroyed by evil, the "mockingbird" comes to represent the idea of innocence. Therefore, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, a number of characters (Jem, Tom Robinson ... , Dill, and Boo Radley) can be identified as mockingbirds "innocents who have been injured or destroyed. This connection between the novel's title and its main theme is made apparent several times in the novel. When Jem and Scout get their guns Atticus tells them, "Sho...

• Word Count: 372
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... mind of an adult, then revert back to her childhood persona once again. It was only after all of this that some of Scout's innocence diminished, and her mockingbird was shot from the sky. Atticus was one of the few main characters that was not a mockingbird. He was pure but he had lost his innocence long before. He was like the warden of ... a giant ham for the school pageant, showed the town to be unredeemably evil. This was how Scout came to the realization that not all things are innocent, how she lost another feather off of her mockingbird. Dill is also a mockingbird. He represents ...

• Word Count: 1409
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... " because he is a Negro. Even the scum of the town, the Ewells, are placed higher than Tom because they are white. Tom had worked all his life even with only one useful arm and did nothing to anyone except help them. But because Robinson was black he was not on a level ... would be morally wrong and so it would be better if nothing were said. Dolphus Raymond is another character, who could be put in this category of a "mockingbird" but is clearly not. Dolphus Raymond married a black woman. Mixed marriages were not accepted but Dolphus owns a lot of land. Because people cannot understand ...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... hidden meanings and phrases. Some examples of symbols in this book include the occurrences of the rabid dog, the fire at Miss Maudie's house, and the extended symbol of the mockingbird. This paper will explore the usage and significance of symbolism in this novel. The connection between innocent people and mockingbirds is made openly throughout the book. "Mockingbirds don't do one ... in the novel. Miss Maudie's optimism and sanguinity represents the contrast between good and evil. She uses this catastrophe as an opportunity to build a new home and grow new flowers, all the while stayin...

• Word Count: 415
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... Mockingbird is definitely an excellent novel in that it portrays life and the role of racism in the 1930's. A reader may not interpret several aspects of the book through just the plain text. Boo Radley, Atticus, and the title represent three such things. Not really shown to the reader until the end of the book. They are all ... has no feelings whatsoever. They tried to get a peep at him, just to see what Boo looked like. Scout connects Boo with a Mockingbird. Mrs. Maudie defines a mockingbird as one who " don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gard...

• Word Count: 1057
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." This is the first and one of the only times a character directly talks about mockingbirds. There ... in the book very valuable lessons, such as hard work, and equal treatment in the face of adversity. Tom Robinson is symbolic of the mockingbird because all he ever does is good, by helping everywhere he can. Tom helps Mayella do the chores she asks him to out of kindness and never ... sing their hearts out for us...

• Word Count: 533
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... : "Well, it"d be sort of like shootin" a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" Persecuting Boo Radley would have truly been like "killing a mockingbird" as he had been innocent all his life. The character of Tom Robinson was also an unjustly treated "mockingbird". Tom Robinson was an innocent man, found guilty for the ... as he knew what trouble could erupt being a black man and dating a white woman. In keeping with the theme of the compassionate mockingbird, Tom did not make any effort to physically push Mayella away for her approaches, but chose to flee in the crisis, not harming ... Ewell's ha...

• Word Count: 816
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... that enables one to face danger with confidence, resolution, and gain a firm control of oneself. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird showed courage in their own way. Courage can come in many different forms: physical, mental, emotional and moral. Courage is not the only main theme ... displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird; prejudice and education are also very important themes exhibited throughout the progression of the novel. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, a bright, sensitive ... to his family. Prejudice is a strong opinion an individual may possess for or against someone w...

• Word Count: 1064
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... achieving the same remarkable feat now. Set in an imaginary town in Alabama, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, To Kill A Mockingbird tells stories about childhood innocence amidst social and racial discords and economic mishaps, blindness of the American people to the public stigma that was happening ... from a lighter point of view through an honest, direct, and often comic language and style. "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit `em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird,"" was the battlecry of Atticus, the father of Scout Finch, the narrator of the story, a...

• Word Count: 1094
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... black laborer. Robinson is falsely accused of having raped a white man's daughter. A racist, all-white jury convicts the innocent Robinson, despite Finch's heroic and impassioned defense. Harper Lee's message about fairness in To Kill a Mockingbird is that societies views and actions towards a person, are based on their skin color, who ... they are, and their personal image. This is shown through the characters Tom, Jem, and Scout. The theme of fairness in To Kill a Mockingbird broadens to a further extent than just the situation of racial discrimination between the blacks and the whites...

• Word Count: 1230
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... for the sake of singing, and an innocent child possesses an innate joyfulness, as natural as instinct. Yet a mockingbird's song dies as easily as innocence. In the beginning of the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout and Jem are portrayed as innocents, uncorrupted by our world of prejudice and racism. Their world is simple, ... enclose the irrational nature of humans. Jem and Scout's growing up is portrayed by a series of events that shatters their innocence as easily as a mockingbird can be silenced. One of the first chinks in their armor of naivité that protected them was social prejud...

• Word Count: 1230
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... significant for one main reason. It is a sin to intentionally destroy innocence. Throughout the book, the mockingbird represents pure innocence and goodness. As Miss Maudie, from the novel, said, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, ... don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." In this novel there are many times when innocence is displayed in some of the characters, but there are two main incidences when innocence is preserved or almost p...

• Word Count: 329
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... She learns to notice the goodness in people and tries to block out the evil. The best passage in this book was, "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, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. "Your father's right," she ... don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy ... but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." The reader likes this quote because it tells why hurt or kill something that does good in the world and tries to make every ones life more enjoyable. ... a g...

• Word Count: 656
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... life. In life, standing up for what you believe in is an exceptionally difficult task. Like this real life example, this theme can be shown in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Through out the novel, the author Harper Lee asserts this theme through an assortment of characters. She clearly exemplifies that true courage is standing up for what one believes even ... ). This is an excellent example of how Miss Maudie is willing to sacrifice her reputation in the pursuit of what is right. Miss Maudie's reputation is important to her and all of the ladies in her missionary circle. In the act of...

• Word Count: 1231
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Prejudice against special people and sexism are large themes in the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Prejudice against special people and sexism also applie in today's society. Prejudice against special people and sexism involves alot of ... have equal rights. Bob Ewell is portrayed as a bad man, he beat Mayella and blamed Tom Robinson for it. He runs from his responsibilities and spends all of his relief money on whiskey, the rest of his family fends for themselves. People are prejudice against him purely for those reasons, noone ever really ... he has had no guidance in his life...

• Word Count: 362
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

In To Kill A Mockingbird, there are many instances of prejudice. This prejudice determines the lives of many and the death of one. Some of these instances are when Tom Robinson is shot and killed, ... was attempting to escape from jail, there is no good, reasonable excuse for shooting him seventeen times, and especially not killing him. In all, there was much prejudice, indignity, obstruction of justice, and racism present in To Kill A Mockingbird; I would say too much to list. The book is an excellent showing of the times and lives of the 1930s. It is sad ... ...

• Word Count: 370
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... when confronted with issues such as racism, abuse, a coming of age, and a loss of innocence. Scout is the narrator and protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird. She lives with her father, brother and cook, Calpurnia in Maycomb, Alabama. Scout isn't like most little girls in the town she is very unusual. She ... of his beliefs are quite revolutionary. He allows Calpurnia, the cook, to be a member of his family. He gives her full respect and fair treatment at all times. When Calpurnia takes his children to her church, he seems unaffected. He doesn't view her as a black woman, just a woman who...

• Word Count: 1317
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... the world really works that prevents one from ever being able to go back to a time of such innocence. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the reader walks alongside Jean Louise Finch (otherwise known as Scout) throughout the journey of her childhood. Her brother Jem and herself are ... the time." (Lee, p. 13) Jem and Scout played games mocking the way they thought Boo Radley lived, without having really ever met him at all. All Boo ever did for them was provide them with tiny gifts, entertainment and excitement, and most importantly their lives. When Bob Ewell attacked the...

• Word Count: 1706
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... Harper Lee, Atticus Finch runs a race. Atticus is the main character in To Kill A Mockingbird. He is the father of Jem (Jeremy) and Scout (Jeanne Louise), and a role model for Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus runs the race of persistence and perseverance when he is defending Tom ... on him and telling Atticus he would get him if it took the rest of his life. Atticus responded saying, "I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco." Atticus fights hard through all of the obstacles that he faces, even if it takes lots of perseverance. In the courtroom he keeps trying to give evidence that Tom Robinson...

• Word Count: 412
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the novel titled To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Arthur "Boo" Radley is characterized in many different ways. Boo is perceived at the beginning of the novel as a recluse who never set foot outside his home, ... of the good that exists within people. Despite the pain that Boo has suffered, the purity of his heart rules his interaction with the children. Boo, is actually not at all what everyone perceives him to be in the beginning. The children's changing attitudes towards Boo, shows their development from innocence to adulthood through sympathy and understanding....

• Word Count: 311
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... things that interest us. In addition, it has taught us to stereotype people. As a result, most people have come to believe that bravery comes with physical power. However, To Kill a Mockingbird teaches the readers that it is, rather, what is inside of people that make them bold. That is, Harper Lee, the author, states that courage has nothing to do with ... . Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him. Miss Stephanie (who, by the time she had told it twice was there and had seen it all --- passing by from the Jitney Jungle, she was) --- Miss Stephanie said ...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The Ewells In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird prejudice unfortunately has a frequent occurrence and not only does it focus on someone's race, but their social status as well. The Ewell family has a reputation for being the most despicable ... anyone the right to condemn them. Many forget that Bob was left to raise a family without the relief of a spouse. Nurturing a household with two parents is hard enough and managing all the responsibilities alone must be stressful. He worries not only about bringing money home, but also upholding the residence. Mr. Finch can somewhat relate to Bob becaus...

• Word Count: 567
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... things that interest us. In addition, it has taught us to stereotype people. As a result, most people have come to believe that bravery comes with physical power. However, To Kill a Mockingbird teaches the readers that it is, rather, what is inside of people that make them bold. That is, Harper Lee, the author, states that courage has nothing to do with ... . Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him. Miss Stephanie (who, by the time she had told it twice was there and had seen it all --- passing by from the Jitney Jungle, she was) --- Miss Stephanie said ...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

To Kill a Mockingbird is generally a novel based on extradinary times in the 1930's. The story consists of 3 years with many reforms and changes. The main characters are Atticus, Jem and Scout. Atticus a widower ... decision, Atticus proves and gives very good evidence that Tom Robinson couldn't have commited the crime. Atticus then tries to explain why the juries decision was incorrect however it is all to no vail. During a meeting, Atticus interrupts to report that Tom Robinson has been found dead in an escape attempt from jail. Things start to come to normal in Maycomb ... ...

• Word Count: 346
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD HARPER LEE To kill a Mockingbird is largely related to courage, dealing with both the presence, as well as the lack of courage within the characters. In addition, the book dwells ... courage to associate with a "white" person, but when he is not victorious in the law suit, his spirit is crushed. Unable to withstand the pressure, Tom loses all his courage, and everything else. He attempts to escape from gaol, and tragically, he is killed. His simple, thoughtful gesture eventually leads to his downfall. It is ... had determination, with a heart and will to fulfil her bel...

• Word Count: 1315
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School