Symbolism Donna Wylie

Symbolism:      Donna Wylie

          Symbolism in a novel is when symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

          “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Said by Miss Maudie to Scout. The mockingbird in this book represents innocence, concluded from what Miss Maudie said. The mockingbird is used to represent many different things in this book, like Tom Robinson for example, was innocent, but was eventually shot and died. Mr. Underwood compares his death to ‘the senseless slaughter of songbirds.’ on page 241. Just like Miss Maudie said mockingbirds only sing their hearts out for. Tom Robinson also was an innocent man and only worked. For example when he was pleading his case in court he explained that even though he worked for Mr. Link Deas, and had chores of his own at his house, he still helped Mayella Ewell with the chores she asks him to do.

A mockingbird

          Boo Radley is also another important symbol of a mockingbird in this book. Boo is an innocent person that hasn’t fulfilled any of the myths that go around Maycomb about him. As a child he was subjected to his father, Nathan Radley, who is said to be one the meanest men ever reported to Dill by Jem. Other than Boo being a symbol of innocence he is also a symbol of the good in people. Despite all the rumors Boo has to face and the cruelty from his father,

SPOILER ALERT!!

he has the courage to come out of his house and save Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell, even though they tormented him for years by peeking in his windows, daring each other to touch his house, etc. He is also the one who puts a blanket around Scout’s shoulder during that cold night when Miss Maudie’s house burnt down. Also when Jem went into his yard he ripped his pants and they got stuck there, too afraid to get them he left them there. He later went back that night to find then sewed up and neatly folded on the fence by Boo. 

          Also at the end of the book Scout relates Book Radley to a mockingbird by saying that hurting Boo was like “shootin' a mockingbird.” After she realizes he is harmless and wouldn’t hurt anybody.

          In the middle of the book there is a “Mad dog” named Tim Johnson that is seen by Jem and Scout and he is thought to be extremely dangerous, the same ‘dead or alive’ Atticus tells Jem and Scout. Just as the mockingbird represents innocence so does the mad dog. When Atticus “saves the neighborhood” from this “dangerous” mad dog, just as the town needs to be protected or saved from Tom Robinson.

SPOILER ALERT!!

          Both Tom Robinson and Tim Johnson are innocent but are still shot in the end of the book. It is also a coincidence that these similar characters names are similar also.

          When it snows for the first time in Maycomb since 1885 Jem and Scout are determined to make a snowman, but since there was only a light layer and snow Jem and Scout had o find other things to make it out of. Using “earth” they build a snowman which on page 94 Scout calls it a “nigger snowman” and covered it with the little snow they had. This collaboration between soil and snow, or black and white represents the idea that a society cannot work together if it’d races don’t collaborate. Without the soil Jem and Scout would only have a puny pile of snow, and without the snow the snowman wouldn’t be considered a “real” snowman.

SPOILER ALERT!!

          Bob Ewell attacked the children because of Atticus’ actions in court. Jem's broken arm at the end of the story is a symbol that he will be wounded for ever by the trial and what he has experienced. It was said by Heck Tate that "this thing probably saved her life" referring to Scout’s Ham costume. The Ham costume represents humor, and therefore Scout will not be haunted or harmed by the trial.

          At the end of the book when the children are returning home from the Halloween pageant Bob Ewell tries to attack the children. As a result Jem has a badly broken, which Scout describes in the beginning of the book as his left arm being shorter than his right; caused by the injury. 

Boo Radley looking at Jem after he saved him and Scout

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Possible questions for discussion:

•       Do you think the gifts Jem and Scout received from Boo Radley, (the soap dolls, the spelling bee medal, the two Indian pennies, etc.) have any symbolic meaning?
  
•    If so, why do you think Harper Lee chose these specific items?
  
•    Take events/objects/people from this book that are not necessarily thought of as direct symbols, and explain what they mean or their potential meaning. Some examples can be the fire, Aunt Alexandra coming to visit, the ‘mixed children’, Mrs. Dubose’s morphine addiction and the alarm clock ringing later every day, etc.
  
•   Analyze the cover of this book. Do you think this picture can represent the knot hole with the gifts, and the mockingbird flying away meaning innocence is leaving? But what would the moon represent?
  
• Do you think Harper Lee meant intentionally for Finch to be their last name? (Finch is another small bird like the mockingbird)
  

Tom Robinson and Atticus testifying in court

Boo Radley