What is the symbolism of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Table of Contents:

1. What is the symbolism of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird?
2. What does the Mad Dog symbolize?
3. What does Boo Radley symbolize in TKAM?
4. What does Tom Robinson's arm symbolize?
5. How did Tom Robinson lose his hand?
6. Is Tom found innocent or guilty?
7. What does Atticus say Tom's innocence?
8. What is Tom actually guilty of Chapter 19?
9. Did Tom go to jail in To Kill a Mockingbird?
10. Why is dill hiding under Scout's bed?
11. Why does Aunt Alexandra not allow Calpurnia's home?
12. Why is dill unhappy at home?
13. How does JEM betray Scout and Dill?
14. In what ways is Jem still a child?
15. What is wrong with Burris Ewell?
16. Why did Jem tell Atticus that Dill was there?
17. Why does Dill want a baby?
18. Why do scout and Aunt Alexandra not get along?
19. What do Jem Scout and Dill discover Atticus doing?
20. Why does Miss Maudie hate her house?
21. Why does JEM cry at the end of Chapter 7?
22. Why does Atticus want Calpurnia?
23. What lesson did Calpurnia teach scout?
24. What does Calpurnia symbolize?
25. What does Scout think of Calpurnia?
26. Why was Lula angry with Calpurnia?
27. How does Calpurnia talk in To Kill a Mockingbird?
28. Is Calpurnia respected?
29. Why is Calpurnia a good role model?

What is the symbolism of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In this story of innocents destroyed by evil, the “mockingbird” comes to represent the idea of innocence. Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, a number of characters (Jem, Tom Robinson, Dill, Boo Radley, Mr.

What does the Mad Dog symbolize?

Lee's intended symbolism is obvious: the mad dog represents institutional racism that has unfairly accused a handicapped black man of raping a white woman. After killing the dog, Finch warns his young son, Jem: “Don't you go near that dog, you understand? Don't go near him, he's just as dangerous dead as alive.”

What does Boo Radley symbolize in TKAM?

Symbolically, Boo represents both Scout's childish understanding of the lives of people around her, and also the genuine risks and dangers that face children as they grow up in the world. As a ghost-like figure, Boo also symbolizes aspects of the town's past, such as intolerance, inequality, and slavery.

What does Tom Robinson's arm symbolize?

Tom Robinson's crippled left arm is a very significant detail, not just in relation to his trial, but also in the way that it illuminates the story's key theme of prejudice. Because of Tom's disability, it was physically impossible for him to have carried out the crimes for which he's been accused.

How did Tom Robinson lose his hand?

Tom Robinson's arm was caught in a cotton gin as a child. As a result, his left arm is twelve inches shorter than his right arm, he cannot use his left arm, and his left arm ends in a small, shriveled hand.

Is Tom found innocent or guilty?

Tom is found guilty of raping Mayella although reasonable doubt and Tom's handicap is proven, HOWEVER, the jury deliberates for a few hours, which implies that they are considering the defense's testimony.

What does Atticus say Tom's innocence?

Atticus then shows the jury that Tom is handicapped and his left arm is completely useless. In Atticus's closing remarks, he proves Tom's innocence by mentioning the lack of medical evidence, the Ewells' conflicting testimonies, and Tom's obvious handicap.

What is Tom actually guilty of Chapter 19?

But Tom's real crime was that of being a good neighbor and a helpful, caring man--a man who "felt right sorry" for Mayella and her neglected situation in the Ewell household.

Did Tom go to jail in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Unfortunately, the racist jury wrongly convicts Tom of assaulting and raping Mayella and he becomes a victim of racial injustice. Tom is then sent to Enfield Prison Farm in Chester County, where he loses his life attempting to escape. ... Tom Robinson is sent to jail twice in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

Why is dill hiding under Scout's bed?

Scout gets angry at being lectured and attacks Jem. ... Scout discovers something under her bed. She calls Jem in and they discover Dill hiding there. Dill has run away from home because his mother and new father did not pay enough attention to him.

Why does Aunt Alexandra not allow Calpurnia's home?

Aunt Alexandra says that she cannot go to her house. Atticus says that because Aunt Alexandra is under their roof, Scout must abide by her rules, as well. ... Aunt Alexandra believes that Calpurnia is not a good addition to the family. Atticus thinks that Calpurnia has had a good influence on Scout and Jem.

Why is dill unhappy at home?

Dill decides to run away because of this. For so long, Dill had wanted a real family. ... They treat him like he is a part of the family and don't judge him because of his family life. Atticus is good to Dill and I think Dill looks to Atticus as a father figure.

How does JEM betray Scout and Dill?

Because Jem seemed to "side" with the adults instead of with Dill and Scout, Scout labeled him a traitor. ... Dill runs away from home one summer, and Jem and Scout find him hiding under the bed. Jem insists that they tell Atticus, but Scout feels Jem has broken a law of childhood by betraying Dill.

In what ways is Jem still a child?

Jem shows his maturity by wanting to be alone, and realizing that Scout should act like a girl. He is still a child because he has a bedtime, and still listens to his father. Scout shows they are "still equals" by picking fights and getting Jem to fight back.

What is wrong with Burris Ewell?

Burris Ewell is sent home by Miss Caroline on the first day of school because of a "cootie" in his hair. Miss Caroline is a new teacher, and she is unaccustomed to Maycomb and the different people who live there. She notices something crawling in the hair of one of her pupils, Burris Ewell: "It's alive!" she screamed.

Why did Jem tell Atticus that Dill was there?

The real reason for Dill running away was that his parents didn't give him enough attention. Why did Jem tell Atticus that Dill was there? Jem told Atticus that Dill was there because he can't keep him hidden and feed him without Atticus knowing.

Why does Dill want a baby?

According to Dill, there is a man who has a boat and he ferries babies over because he has them in abundance.

Why do scout and Aunt Alexandra not get along?

Scout views Aunt Alexandra with contempt because she is continually criticizing her lifestyle and tries to control her. Scout tries her best to avoid Alexandra, and even attempts to attack her after Alexandra calls Walter Cunningham Jr.

What do Jem Scout and Dill discover Atticus doing?

Jem decides to go out after him at almost ten o'clock. Scout and Dill tag along. They find Atticus in front of the jail attempting to keep an angry mob of white men from breaking Tom Robinson out and lynching him. ... He says, "I had you covered all the time, Atticus."

Why does Miss Maudie hate her house?

Miss Maudie hated her house: time spent indoors was time wasted. She was a widow, a chameleon lady who worked in her flower beds in an old straw hat and men's coveralls, but after her five o'clock bath she would appear on the porch and reign over the street in magisterial beauty.

Why does JEM cry at the end of Chapter 7?

Jem cries because Boo's father, Nathan Radley, had cemented up the hole in the tree. Jem cries not just because there will be no more presents forthcoming but also (and especially) because this cuts off the children's contact with their new "phantom friend," Boo.

Why does Atticus want Calpurnia?

Scout overhears Atticus tell his sister that he will never get rid of Calpurnia for a few reasons: first, Calpurnia is not a threat and she's practically family; second, "the children love her"; and third, she's the closest thing to a mother that the kids know and she's taught them many good things (137).

What lesson did Calpurnia teach scout?

Calpurnia essentially teaches Scout a lesson in manners, respect, and equality. She encourages Scout to view Walter as an equal and treat him the same way she would want to be treated.

What does Calpurnia symbolize?

Calpurnia faces her own kind in defense of what is right, just like Atticus faces his to defend Tom Robinson. Here, she represents a good strong character standing up for what's right. Finally, Calpurnia represents being faithful and loyal to one's employer.

What does Scout think of Calpurnia?

Scout describes Calpurnia as a strict, demanding, and unsentimental “tyrannical presence.” At the same time, Scout treats Calpurnia with more genuine respect and obedience than the female members of her own family, such as her Aunt Alexandra.

Why was Lula angry with Calpurnia?

Lula is unhappy with Calpurnia because she brought the Finch children to church. Calpurnia is uncomfortable letting the Finch children go to church by themselves, because she does not think they will behave. ... Calpurnia is annoyed, and sticks up for the children.

How does Calpurnia talk in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Calpurnia explains that she doesn't want to seem like she is "puttin' on airs", so she changes her speech to fit into her surroundings. She goes on to explain to Scout that you can't change people or teach them unless they want to change.

Is Calpurnia respected?

Calpurnia is important in the story because she raises the Finch children, and her role in Atticus's family is an example of an African American treated with respect. Since Scout and Jem's mother is dead, Calpurnia is an important part of the household.

Why is Calpurnia a good role model?

Calpurnia is a role model to Scout and Jem because she set the rules for both children and enforced them. ... Calpurnia is an excellent form of a female role model because she let them grow up how they wanted but taught them manners, scolded them when those duties weren't performed and she became a part of their family.