To Kill A Mockingbird

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“I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit them, but remember it’s a sin .” (Lee 69). This passage is where she got the name for her book. During the 1950’s in the small county of Maycomb, the mentality of most southern people reflected that of the nation. Most of the people were racist. In the novel, these ideas are explored through a young girl by the name of Scout. The readers see the events that occur through her eyes. The novel centers on the trial of Tom Robinson. To the people of Maycomb County, Tom Robinson is just a “sorry nigger,” who committed an unthinkable crime. Tom represents the black race in American society. He is a victim of racism, which was the major controversy in our culture during that time. Like Boo Radley, Tom Robinson is characterized by what the people of Maycomb say about him. And after being accused of ...

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of the story: they even include Mrs. Radley into the story and portrays her as a poor woman, whom later married Mr. Radley, “lost her teeth, her hair, and her right forefinger” (Lee 39). All of these stories are based on the gossip the children hear throughout the neighborhood. The people of Maycomb only knew Boo Radley and Tom Robinson by what others said about them. The mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley, since he is innocent, and would never harm anyone. He just stays inside because he does not want to face the corrupt and prejudice world outside.
One of the more prevalent symbols has to do with Jem who decides to make a snowman. There wasn’t enough snow to ...

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