To Kill a Mockingbird: Symbolism of the Mockingbird"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 it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee 90). Harper Lee, a creative novelist, uniquely quoted this from To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee uses symbolism rather extensively through out this novel and much of it refers to the problem of racism in the south during the earls 1900s. To Kill a Mockingbird is a well-written novel that symbolizes three "mockingbirds", and they are Arthur Radley (Boo), Tom Robinson, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond.Boo Radley is one of the novels "mockingbirds", a good person injured by the evil of mankind. The first reason is that Boo went through his life never wanting to hurt a fly; he was a gentle man. He left gum, pennies, a pocket watch, and wax dolls for Scout and Jem. He just stays inside because he does not want to face the corrupt and prejudice world outside. The second re
Dolphus Raymond are not prepared for the evil that they encounter, and, as a result, Boo and Tom are destroyed. The last reason is a quote from Atticus, "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (Lee 76). Raymond pretends to be a drunk so the citizens of Maycomb will have an explanation for him marrying a black woman and having mixed children. Dill and Scout are amused about him. Secondly, it was like a mockingbird being shot down when Tom was accused of taking advantage of Mayella Ewell. Raymond because it wasn't "normal" back then to have a colored spouse and mixed children. Dolphus Raymond has to compromise and pretend to be drunk so that the white society will have an explanation for his actions. Dolphus Raymond convey the...