What Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

  1. IPL>
  2. What Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird
right-arrowbulb-icon
Wait a second!

More handpicked essays just for you.

close-icon

Boo radley characterization to kill a mockingbird pg 10-12

Read ESSAY 1

Boo radley characterization to kill a mockingbird pg 10-12

Read ESSAY 2

Exampls of symbolism in to kill a mockingbird

Read ESSAY 3shield-img

Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.

Start your $7 for 7 days trial now!search-imgsearch-imgFIND MY ESSAYWhat Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird1915 Words8 Pagesbulb-icon

Recommended: Boo radley characterization to kill a mockingbird pg 10-12

The Symbol of Killing a Mockingbird The book To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, Shows many examples throughout the characters of the book that symbolize Mockingbirds and how. Tom Robinson, one of the symbols of a mockingbird, was a black man who was falsely accused of raping a young girl. Even though the defending evidence was much more factual than the evidence against him he was found guilty and shot 17 times. Another symbol of a Mockingbird is the character Arthur “Boo” Radley who was isolated in his house for most of his this but is still judged by the people of Maycomb.In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, the symbol of the Mockingbird represents how innocence can be misconstructed as being guilty. Harper …show more content…

I can prove this by quoting, "When they shoot Tom Robinson , while lost in his unavailing effort to scale the wall in quest, Mr. Underwood, the editor of The Montgomery Advertiser, likened Tom 's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children '(Dave 50). This quote explains how Tom Robinson is an example of a Mockingbird. Another example of how Tom Robinson is a symbol of a mockingbird is stated here, "There 's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it is dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead"(Lee 369). This is proof Tom Robinson is a symbol of a Mockingbird. he was killed for no reason so he was innocent and killed without a reason. Just like there is no reason to kill a Mockingbird, there is no reason to kill an innocent person. When Tom Robinson went to court for his rape case, he had lost the case before the jury even had time to come up with the verdict. I can prove this by saying"Scout realizes that although it may appear that Tom is given a fair trial, “in the secret court of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth.” Scout understands that, despite evidence of the contrary, the white jury will believe a white person instead of a black person"(Champion). Even though Tom was innocent just because he wasn 't white he was set to die the moment he stepped into the courtroom. If people saw past his skin color and actually looked at the evidence. Tom would 've been a free man and wouldn 't have had to die. Tom Robinson was an innocent man falsely accused and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and despite the evidence supporting him he was still found and guilty and was sentenced to the death penalty. He is one of if

Show MoreRelated

To Kill A Mockingbird Dialectical Journal

571 Words | 3 Pages

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are both symbolized as the mockingbird. The first person who was inferred as a mockingbird was Boo Radley. Boo Radley is recognized as one of the mockingbirds of the story because he has not done anything horrible. Scout talks to Miss Maudie about the rumors she has heard about Boo and Miss Maudie says that he has not done any of those rumors. The only other person who claims she has seen Boo doing something bad was Miss Stephanie who has a very big mouth.

Read More

Tom Robinson Innocent Mockingbird Analysis

704 Words | 3 Pages

Innocent Mockingbirds Wanted Thesis: Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Boo Radley all symbolize mockingbirds because of their traits, qualities, and actions. I. Topic Sentence: Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird because he is not harmful, he is misunderstood, and he is killed over a judgmental reason. A. Claim: Behind his skin color, Tom loved to assist others without a reward. 1. Primary Evidence: He claimed that he would Mayella Ewell without being payed by saying, “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time.

Read More

Tom Robinson's Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

170 Words | 1 Pages

To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Mockingbirds do not cause harm or trouble; in fact their only purpose is to convince others with beautiful music. Tom Robinson’s death can easily be compared to that of a mockingbird; it did no good but also prevented no evil. Mr. Underwood chooses to write an article that basically every citizen of Maycomb can understand, and this proves to the reader the obvious connection between Tom Robinson and the symbol of a mockingbird. Mr. Underwood chooses to ignore the prominent racial barrier that separated Tom Robinson from justice, and chooses to focus on his disability instead.

Read More

Tom Racism Quotes

1575 Words | 7 Pages

In To Kill A Mockingbird, a theme that develops throughout the whole book is that people are not always who they seem to be. People are not always who they seem to be because they hide their true selves, there are rumors about them, and people are racist. In the book, people are racist, so they don’t see people for who they really are. An example of this is Tom Robinson.

Read More

Atticus Evil Quotes

767 Words | 4 Pages

To begin, Lee uses Tom Robinson as a human mockingbird. Tom Robinson is a very nice and innocent man. He is a black male who is twenty-five years old. In The symbol. Atticus tells Scout “I’m simply defending a Negro — his name is “Tom Robinson…

Read More

Empathy Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

971 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel, the symbol of the Mockingbird is quite an important part of the story and final plot, being brought up, most importantly, in 2 very important scenarios. The first instance is in chapter 10 when Addicus reminded Jem and Scout that “[Its] a sin to kill a mockingbird.”(Lee 103) and later in chapter 30, when Scout compares the mockingbird to Boo Radley and even comments that “it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird”(Lee 317). The introduction of this symbol in chapter 10, foreshadows the future conflicts and plots as again Atticus explains that mockingbirds are innocent and don't hurt us. Later in chapter 30, while the question of whether Boo Radley should be put on trial, Scout uses what she learned from Atticus, and argues that Boo is like a mockingbird, and innocent, making the reader feel empathy for the innocent Boo Radley.

Read More

Symbol Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

232 Words | 1 Pages

The mockingbird in To Kill A Mockingbird is symbolic of innocence. Early in the novel, Atticus, the father tells the children Scout and Jem that it is a "sin to kill a mockingbird". Later Scout asks Miss Maudie what he meant by that because she has never heard her father say anything was a sin. Miss Maudie explains his reasoning by saying that all mockingbirds do is provide beautiful music. They do not harm anyone, they don't bother anyone, and they "sing their hearts out for us."

Read More

Compare And Contrast Tom Robinson And To Kill A Mockingbird

768 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley are two characters who represent the mockingbird. In the midst of finding who Boo truly is, Atticus Finch explains to his children, Jem and Scout, that it is a sin to kill the bird because they don’t do anything but make music. As the story progresses, and the two “mockingbirds” are being accused and attacked both verbally and physically, the identity of the mockingbirds surfaces. Tom Robinson was a crippled African American man whose left arm was a foot shorter than his right, where it was caught in a cotton gin.

Read More

What Does Mr Raymond Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

671 Words | 3 Pages

Symbolism is used by many authors to convey a specific message that carries a deep meaning. In Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the primary symbol is the Mockingbird. There are numerous references to the mockingbird in the novel, which can be seen through some of the characters. The allusion of the mockingbird is used to represent the idea of innocence.

Read More

Tom Robinson Metaphor

117 Words | 1 Pages

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird is a metaphor for Tom Robinson. While mockingbirds are discussed in the novel as literal birds that harmlessly sing and entertain, Lee clearly uses the mockingbird to symbolize Tom Robinson. One reason that supports this idea is a Robinson is a innocent man who tried to help someone but then was convicted of rape. Another reason that supports the metaphor is Tom, the innocent songbird, was put on trial for his life and was convicted guilty. This inhuman action of murdering an innocent and harmless man who wanted to help is like the killing of a harmless songbird.both are innocent, and both murders are wrong.

Read More

How Is Boo Radley Portrayed In To Kill A Mockingbird

822 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee many characters are victims of the harsh conditions of Maycomb County. Often those who are seen to be metaphorical mockingbirds are punished the most. A mockingbird is one who only wants and attempts to do good. Characters such as Boo Radley, Jem Finch and Tom Robinson are exemplars of mockingbirds in Maycomb. In the novel it is explained by Atticus that killing a mockingbird is a sin because they do not do anything to harm to us like nesting in corncribs, or eating up the gardens, they only sing for us.

Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird Argumentative Essay

976 Words | 4 Pages

Although all the evidence pointed to Tom Robinson being innocent and the only witnesses were from unreliable and changing sources he was still convicted. This is a depiction of the death of a Mockingbird, ultimately destroying innocence and purity that resided with Tom Robinson that died when he was shot as he tried to flee from his inescapable doom. Mr. Underwood, the publisher of Maycomb 's newspaper as well as a respected all of Atticus, sadly compares Tom 's death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds...” (pg.244) stating another reference to the ever-present mockingbird

Read More

Social Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

1108 Words | 5 Pages

Lee uses the mockingbird as a symbol of purity, innocence and harmlessness. Tom Robinson is a black male “Old Mr. Bob Ewell accused... of rapin‘ his girl” (Mayella Ewell a young white girl) “an’ had him arrested an‘ put in jail—” Though all evidence points to her father, Robert Ewell Tom is convicted. In this situation, Tom is the mockingbird; shot down even though he has done no harm to anyone. Harper continues to address this theme when scout wears pants instead of dresses. She is an independent girl that doesn’t follow the social norms of wearing dresses and playing with dolls (Despite her aunt 's protest).

Read More

How Does Tom Robinson Show Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

732 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the term mockingbird symbolizes innocence in a person. In the novel it focuses on the fact that innocence, represented by the mockingbird, can be wrongfully harmed. There are two characters: Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley that are supposed to represent the mockingbird. In the novel, Tom Robinson is the best example of a mockingbird because he is prosecuted for a crime he did not commit. Also, he was judged unfairly based on the color of his skin in his trial.

Read More

Theme Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

1730 Words | 7 Pages

Mockingbirds are an important symbol because they represent goodness and innocence. In this book, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are two innocent men, similar to mockingbirds, who get taken advantage of due to their innocence. Atticus and Miss Maudie teach Scout and Jem that it’s a sin to harm anything innocent by using the example of mockingbirds. Mockingbirds are innocent because they only positively affect people through their singing.

Read More

More about What Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Harper Lee
  • Black people
  • Truman Capote
  • Atticus Finch
  • White people
Open Document

Tag » What Does Tom Robinson Look Like