Themes and symbols...
An Insight into some of the main themes and symbols interwoven into "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Racism and Human Nature....
Racism is one of the more evident themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee delves deep into the topic, and as the novel and plot line unfold, more layers of racism, and the nature of humans are uncovered.
To Kill a Mockingbird covers more than just racism and discrimination by showing the way that people's minds work and how they show hatred and prejudice towards anyone that's different. An example of this is Arthur (Boo) Radley. Wild rumours about the mysterious recluse fly around Maycomb. Stephanie Crawford, the town gossip, spreads rumours about Arthur stabbing his brother. This leads the people of Maycomb to believe that he's a dangerous character and to avoid at any time. As Scout discovers, Arthur Radley isn't violent at all . He is a shy and innocent character that has suffered much criticism and judgement. Tom Robinson finds himself in a similar situation, being ridiculed and blamed for a crime he didn't commit.
Atticus Finch, a very moral character, demonstrates throughout the novel that people aren’t necessarily all good or all bad. Atticus always gives all the people he encounters a fair go and treats them with respect. He explains to Scout and Jem that in order to understand people you have to step into their shoes and take a look from the other's perspective.
People can take forms of evil without even noticing and can treat others horribly without thinking twice. An example of this is when the lynch mob gathers at the county jail to kill Tom Robinson. They arrive with intentions of evil and intentions to kill, but after Scout talks to Mr. Cunningham he changes his mind and convinces the group to back down. This example demonstrates that people can take forms of evil but aren't necessarily evil people.
Racism is one of the more evident themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee delves deep into the topic, and as the novel and plot line unfold, more layers of racism, and the nature of humans are uncovered.
To Kill a Mockingbird covers more than just racism and discrimination by showing the way that people's minds work and how they show hatred and prejudice towards anyone that's different. An example of this is Arthur (Boo) Radley. Wild rumours about the mysterious recluse fly around Maycomb. Stephanie Crawford, the town gossip, spreads rumours about Arthur stabbing his brother. This leads the people of Maycomb to believe that he's a dangerous character and to avoid at any time. As Scout discovers, Arthur Radley isn't violent at all . He is a shy and innocent character that has suffered much criticism and judgement. Tom Robinson finds himself in a similar situation, being ridiculed and blamed for a crime he didn't commit.
Atticus Finch, a very moral character, demonstrates throughout the novel that people aren’t necessarily all good or all bad. Atticus always gives all the people he encounters a fair go and treats them with respect. He explains to Scout and Jem that in order to understand people you have to step into their shoes and take a look from the other's perspective.
People can take forms of evil without even noticing and can treat others horribly without thinking twice. An example of this is when the lynch mob gathers at the county jail to kill Tom Robinson. They arrive with intentions of evil and intentions to kill, but after Scout talks to Mr. Cunningham he changes his mind and convinces the group to back down. This example demonstrates that people can take forms of evil but aren't necessarily evil people.
Innocence...
Throughout the whole of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' innocence takes many forms and is portrayed using various characters. The name of the novel itself uses innocence. 'It's sin to kill a mockingbird because they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.' This quote(said by Atticus Finch) is symbolic to the novel as throughout it many characters take the forms of mockingbirds- innocent creatures. An example of a mockingbird is Boo Radley. An innocent man who has been confined to his house since being a teenager. Arthur Radley (Boo) is a misunderstood character who at the beginning of the novel is portrayed as a mysterious figure and a source of childhood stories . As the plot progresses Boo becomes more known to Scout, he becomes more human. An example of this is when Boo mends Jem's pants and leaves them folded on the fence. It is then that the children know that Arthur Radley isn't just figure of their stories. In the fight to save Jem and Scout's lives whilst they were being attacked by Bob Ewell, Boo Radley fatally stabs Bob Ewell and makes his first appearance in Scout's life. Heck Tate (The county sheriff) makes a point to Atticus, who wants to hold a trial, that there is no point convicting a man as innocent as Arthur Radley. Scout then realises that Boo is a good person, just misunderstood. This event in the novel portrays innocence using the character Arthur Radley. He is one of the book's most important and innocent mockingbirds. Lee uses Radley to portray good that comes from within and ultimate innocence.
Lee uses these examples to show that innocence takes many forms. In this instance innocence takes the form of an understood man who is mistreated by his family.
Throughout the whole of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' innocence takes many forms and is portrayed using various characters. The name of the novel itself uses innocence. 'It's sin to kill a mockingbird because they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.' This quote(said by Atticus Finch) is symbolic to the novel as throughout it many characters take the forms of mockingbirds- innocent creatures. An example of a mockingbird is Boo Radley. An innocent man who has been confined to his house since being a teenager. Arthur Radley (Boo) is a misunderstood character who at the beginning of the novel is portrayed as a mysterious figure and a source of childhood stories . As the plot progresses Boo becomes more known to Scout, he becomes more human. An example of this is when Boo mends Jem's pants and leaves them folded on the fence. It is then that the children know that Arthur Radley isn't just figure of their stories. In the fight to save Jem and Scout's lives whilst they were being attacked by Bob Ewell, Boo Radley fatally stabs Bob Ewell and makes his first appearance in Scout's life. Heck Tate (The county sheriff) makes a point to Atticus, who wants to hold a trial, that there is no point convicting a man as innocent as Arthur Radley. Scout then realises that Boo is a good person, just misunderstood. This event in the novel portrays innocence using the character Arthur Radley. He is one of the book's most important and innocent mockingbirds. Lee uses Radley to portray good that comes from within and ultimate innocence.
Lee uses these examples to show that innocence takes many forms. In this instance innocence takes the form of an understood man who is mistreated by his family.
Symbols...
Foreboding Signs...
Lee uses signs of foreboding to create tension. Throughout 'To Kill a Mockingbird' there are several events that cause tension for the reader and the characters. Some of these include the fire in the neighbourhood and the blanket Scout finds around her shoulders, the mysterious snowfall, Bob Ewell's attack on Scout and Jem at Halloween, the rumours about Boo Radley, the mysterious Radley's living in an abandoned, derelict looking house and the rabid dog threatening the town. These events all cause tension in the usually quiet town of Maycomb. Lee uses these symbols as a sense of foreshadowing of events to come involving Tom Robinson's trial.
Lee uses signs of foreboding to create tension. Throughout 'To Kill a Mockingbird' there are several events that cause tension for the reader and the characters. Some of these include the fire in the neighbourhood and the blanket Scout finds around her shoulders, the mysterious snowfall, Bob Ewell's attack on Scout and Jem at Halloween, the rumours about Boo Radley, the mysterious Radley's living in an abandoned, derelict looking house and the rabid dog threatening the town. These events all cause tension in the usually quiet town of Maycomb. Lee uses these symbols as a sense of foreshadowing of events to come involving Tom Robinson's trial.
The Rabid Dog...
The rabid Dog that wanders into the streets of Maycomb is a very symbolic to the novel. When the dog appears, it represents threat and danger. All of the citizens of Maycomb shelter in the safety of their homes whilst the dog is taken care of. The danger in the town represents a foreshadowing of events to come involving the trial of Tom Robinson. Lee uses this event to cause a sense of foreboding and tension in the novel.
In a way the dog also represents innocence. It is an innocent animal overcome by a disease that is out if its control. Before long it is shot dead, and out of people's way. This represents Tom Robinson, an innocent man convicted of a crime he didn't commit who is shot dead after taking his only chance at freedom, running.
The Rabid Dog represents racism also. Even though he doesn't want to Atticus shoots the dog to eliminate the threat and problem. As soon as something or someone's different people don't like it. The dog was ill and so the people's of Maycomb's first reaction was to eliminate the problem. This represents racism in that fact that because someone appears different they are bad. Lee uses all the rabid dog to portray all of these themes.
The rabid Dog that wanders into the streets of Maycomb is a very symbolic to the novel. When the dog appears, it represents threat and danger. All of the citizens of Maycomb shelter in the safety of their homes whilst the dog is taken care of. The danger in the town represents a foreshadowing of events to come involving the trial of Tom Robinson. Lee uses this event to cause a sense of foreboding and tension in the novel.
In a way the dog also represents innocence. It is an innocent animal overcome by a disease that is out if its control. Before long it is shot dead, and out of people's way. This represents Tom Robinson, an innocent man convicted of a crime he didn't commit who is shot dead after taking his only chance at freedom, running.
The Rabid Dog represents racism also. Even though he doesn't want to Atticus shoots the dog to eliminate the threat and problem. As soon as something or someone's different people don't like it. The dog was ill and so the people's of Maycomb's first reaction was to eliminate the problem. This represents racism in that fact that because someone appears different they are bad. Lee uses all the rabid dog to portray all of these themes.