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To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Contributed by Sharon Fleming
Content
Overview
Context
Characters
Motifs
Themes
Symbols
Plot Summary
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
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Symbols
Symbols are objects or figures that artists use to represent an idea.
The Mockingbird
The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and vulnerability. Numerous characters lose their innocence in the novel, for instance, Tom Robinson loses his innocence when he is killed, and the newspapers compare his death to the meaningless killing of a songbird; which refers to Atticus' warning to his children about killing a Mockingbird as a sin because a mockingbird does nothing but bring joy to people. In addition to that, the sheriff dodges a situation of having to arrest Boo Radley because it would be like "shooting a Mockingbird." Boo is very vulnerable and subjecting him to more hardship would not be fair. Scout's last name Finch, another songbird, suggests that her innocence is very important to the plot of the story.
Physical Challenges
The characters with physical challenges in the story include Tom Robinson whose left hand is mangled; Jem breaks his hand badly that the damage remains permanent; Boo Radley has very low self-esteem, and Atticus has poor eyesight. These physical challenges are a symbol that everyone has a weakness which represents the damages brought about by situations in life.
The Knothole
As a way to connect to the outside world as he has always wished, Boo leaves mysterious gifts to Jem and Scout in the knothole. This is his way of connecting to people without exposing himself to any danger. When Nathan Radley learns of Boo's tactic, he fills the knothole with cement to keep Boo away from the outside world.
The Rabid Dog
Tim Johnson, a popular dog in Maycomb, falls sick and becomes a danger to the community. The dog's illness is used to symbolize racism in the town. The same way sheriff refused to bring justice in Tom Robinson's case, he refuses to shoot the dog and encourages Atticus to fight it just the same way he fought for justice in the courtroom. Miss Maudie tells Scout that she believes that Atticus “decided he wouldn't shoot till he had to, and he had to today.”
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