The Mockingbird- As shown many times throughout the novel, it is considered a sin to kill a Mockingbird, mentioned by Atticus in chapter ten, as Mockingbirds do nothing to harm humans in any way. Mockingbirds only sing for pleasure, and never intervene in people's lives and they are in a way, linked to innocence. To kill a Mockingbird, is to kill the innocence of another, and within the novel, the innocence of many of the characters is destroyed. However, the innocence of Tom Robinson can be best linked with this songbird, as he did nothing to deserve death. Tom was accused of something he did not do, and later dies because of this. Tom Robinson can be considered the Mockingbird, as his innocence, along with his life, gets destroyed. The title of this novel is To Kill a Mockingbird, and if Tom Robinson is considered a Mockingbird, the title hints at his death and the way his innocence is destroyed.
The Snowman- In the novel, in chapter eight, Jem and Scout attempt to make a snowman, though there is not enough to properly make one. The kids make a figure out of the mud and dirt, but they quickly go to cover it with snow. Mud and dirt often symbolize impurity and filth, meaning dirty in its most basic meaning. Snow is known to be white and pure, and is preferred over dirt by many when it comes to making up a snowman. Scout and Jem cover up the dark colored dirt, which resembles African Americans in the time period, with white snow. It shows white supremacy in the 1930's, where Africans were judged and based on their skin color, and where white was considered the superior race, the superior skin color. The snowman, referred to as the morphodite, is favored for being white, compared to when it was simply composed of dark soil. The snow and the dirt were right by each other, close, yet one kept suppressing the other. Tim Johnson- Doors are only shut in the sleepy town of Maycomb for only two occasions, them being sickness and cold weather. In chapter ten, Tim Johnson, the dog belonging to Mr. Johnson acts abnormally, revealed to have rabies and acting madly. Everyone hides inside, behind their doors to the sickness the dog contains, and Atticus is the only one to act against the canine when everyone else backs down, just as he is the only one to act against racism and injustice when working as a lawyer. Tim represents racism, something the town of Maycomb shuts their door to, for they are all infected with it. Atticus, who only cares for the rights of others and the equality to all, is the only one not affected by the contagion of such behavior, and quickly takes out the dog with a bullet to the head. The Disease of Maycomb- As mentioned in the first chapter in the novel, Scout mentions how the doors in the quiet town of Maycomb, are shut for two reasons, sickness or cold weather, and though this seems self explanatory, there is a deeper meaning behind the closed doors in Maycomb. The sickness the town of Maycomb contains, is none other than racism. The people of Maycomb seem to be oblivious to their tremendous racism, and closed doors are a way of shutting the racism out. When doors are closed in Maycomb, it is in a way, similar to closing one's eyes and ignoring something that cannot be avoided. When there is an illness, in this case the racism and prejudice, people close their doors, shutting the truth away. Mrs. Maudie's Flowers- The different flowers in Maycomb can have many different interpretations within the novel of To Kill a Mockingbird. Mrs. Maudie seems to be a very lovable, caring person, and she can be at times. However, though it seems that Mrs. Maudie is not racist at all, her large, flowering garden may reveal a completely new side of her. Mrs. Maude claims that she loves every type of plant that exists, including weeds. However, there is only one type of weed in particular that she cannot stand. Though she seems to love all plants, this specific weed, nut grass, reveals that this is not entirely true in chapter five. Mrs. Maudie's garden represents the white supremacy, with whites considered the superior race. The single weed that Mrs. Maudie despises could represent the black population, and therefore displayed the racism in Mrs. Maudie. Though Mrs. Maudie is kind and tries to help Jem, Scout and Atticus at many points in the novel, beneath the surface, whether she knows it or not, she really is a racist, just like the rest of Maycomb county. |
This shows a drawing of a Mockingbird, which has a very important role in the novel.
The snowman that Jem and Scout built is being portrayed in this image; displaying the dirt hidden closely under the snow.
Tim Johnson, the rabid dog that gets shot and killed by Atticus Finch.
In the image, Atticus is preparing to stand up to the rabid dog that is threatening the community, being the only one willing to shoot it.
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