In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee addresses many controversial issues. Such issues as, racism, discrimination,
and social class are explored. 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 and discriminatory. In the novel, these ideas are explored by a
young girl, Scout. The readers see the events that occur through her eyes. In the book, Scout's father, Atticus, tells Scout and
Jem, 'I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you
can hit'em, but remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird.' (pg. 69) The mockingbird is a symbol for two of the characters in the
novel: Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. The mockingbird symbolizes these two characters because it does not have its own
Screenshot of To Kill a Mockingbird(an American mo...
President George W. Bush awards the Presidential M...
Tom Robinson Bandsong. Whereas, the blue jay is loud and obnoxious, the mockingbird only sings other birds' songs. Because the mockingbird
does not sing its own song, we characterize it only by what the other birds sing. Hence, we see the mockingbird through the
other birds. In the novel, the people of Maycomb only know Boo Radley and Tom Robinson by what others say about them.
Both of these characters do not really have their own 'song' in a sense, and therefore, are characterized by other people's
viewpoints.
Throughout the novel, Scout, Jem, and Dill are curious about the 'mysterious' Boo Radley because he never comes outside of
his house or associates with anyone in the neighborhood. The children are, in fact, afraid of him because of all the stories they
hear about him from the people in Maycomb. For example, Miss Stephanie tells the children that while...