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The symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird is what turns this little tale into a string of ideas that have more meaning.
Symbols are used to describe these ideas in a more comprehensible way.
However, in order to understand the symbolism in a book like this, one has to want to understand it. So in short, another purpose of symbolism in to engulf the reader, to force them to pay attention.
When Miss Maudie's house is burning down, Boo Radley places a blanket around Scout to protect her from the cold. This could be seen as a foreshadow for when Boo Radley protected her and Jem from Bob Ewell. This shows there is kindness in everyone
Stephanie, Gabe, Kayla, Luther
Tim Johnson represents Tom Robinson. Their names are purposely similar because of this.
Tim Johnson is described as "property" of his owner (Lee 122). Slaves were also seen as property shortly before this book took place. As Tom Robinson is an African-American, a connection could arguably be made here.
Both Tim Johnson and Tom Robinson were shot due to them losing their minds.
Tom Robinson represents sacrifice. The people of Maycomb have had to make sacrifices and need to see the wrongs in racism and begin to strive for equality. He is a symbol for all of the prejudice throughout Maycomb.
The fire melts away the snow, or white, from the snowman, leaving only mud, or black.
The fire symbolizes racists because racists point out the differences between white and black, just like the fire revealed that the snowman was not completely snow. The fire is symbolizing the end of the need for people to hide themselves to end prejudice.
Atticus himself ultimately symbolizes the desire for equality and justice. He is a lawyer and lawyers stand for
justice. He is fair even to the African-Americans unlike the rest of Maycomb. He tries to prevent prejudice in the town.
The knothole represents the friendship and communication between Jem, Scout, and Boo Radley.
It showed that Boo Radley was a better person than he seemed. This shows to not judge people for who they just appear to be
The Snowman, which was actually a snowman made out of mostly mud that was covered in snow to appear white, symbolizes that everyone should just be accepted for who they are and not try to hide. The snowman not being truly a snowman is revealed when the fire comes. The snowman is like people who hid their true selves to please others. To stop prejudice, people need to accept people for who they truly are.
Atticus could be seen as a mockingbird because he devotes almost all of his life to help other people. He tries to prevent racism, and helps many people.
Boo Radley is also a mockingbird in this novel because although people think he is scary, he has not done anything wrong, therefore he is innocent and people should not discriminate against him.
The mockingbird represents innocence. It does nothing but good for society, so it would be wrong to harm it. Many people in the novel are considered mockingbirds.
SYMBOLISM: the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often found in literature.
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird symbolism is used to represent the major ideas and plot of the book. These symbols bring a deeper meaning to how life was in a simple Alabama town in the 1930's, the time period of Jim Crow laws in the south.
With a central idea of the book being placed around prejudice and discrimination of African Americans, most symbols connect back to this idea.