Symbols in to Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s renowned To Kill A Mockingbird is regarded as one of the greatest works of all time and plays an important role in American literature. It is significant in schools nationwide and contains uncountable morals revolving around racism, sexism, gender roles, womanhood, and stereotypes. One of the many topics this novel discusses and shows through each character is social positions. A social hierarchy is vital in society because it determines a person’s power. If society was considered an equal class, there would be a consequential lack of principle and longevity. Social classes are important in the novel because they result in the organization of the social roles of the Maycomb citizens. This novel presents the idea that birds represent the social positions of each character. Let`s research this topic in 'Symbols in to Kill a Mockingbird'.
A finch bird possesses multiple leadership qualities that increase its chance of survival and success, which supports the claim because the Finch family is a part of the highest social class. They are well-respected among the citizens of Maycomb and hold a high position in society. This is portrayed when Atticus comments regarding Aunt Alexandra: “She wants to talk to you about the family and what it’s meant to Maycomb County through the years, so you’ll have some idea of who you are, so you might be moved to behave correctly”. The qualities of a finch bird connect to Atticus’s explanation of Jem and Scout’s importance in Maycomb because finches are extremely common and one of the most successful species of birds. When Atticus states to Jem and Scout: “. . . so you’ll have some idea of who you are,” he is trying to bring them to the realization that the Finch family legacy is powerful and hopefully they understand it. Additionally, finches are influential to the organisms around them because they are a songbird breed that produces heart-warming music, similar to the way the Finch family is meaningful to Maycomb County. Therefore, the Finch family is represented by finches because they are a significant part of the highest social class.
In addition to their frequent appearances and ability to sing, finches are known for being able to adapt well in a variety of habitats, which supports the claim because the Finch family is exposed to multiple situations in Maycomb that impact their societal position. This is displayed when Scout acknowledges Mr. Cunningham at the county’s jail and inquires, “Hey, Mr. Cunningham. How’s your entailment getting’ along?’ . . . ‘Don’t you remember me, Mr. Cunningham? I’m Jean Louise Finch. You brought us some hickory nuts one time, remember?’ . . . ‘I go to school with Walter,’ I began again. ‘He’s your boy, ain’t he? Ain’t he sir?’ ‘He’s in my grade,” I said, “and he does right well. He’s a good boy,” I added, “a real nice boy”. The interaction between Scout and Mr. Cunningham at Maycomb’s jail was abnormal in the sense that she kindly spoke to the man in charge of a mob prepared to attack Atticus. She was able to confidently state her mind in front of a crowd of enemies. Scout’s ability to adapt to her surroundings in different situations is a characteristic of a finch because finch birds are naturally skilled at adapting to new environments or ecosystems. Furthermore, this proves the claim because it shows another connection between a species of bird and characters as we see in symbolism in to kill a mockingbird.
Similar to the Finch family, Tom Robinson is represented by a bird, the robin, because of the clear differences that separate it from other bird species. A robin has a short lifespan of 2 to 3 years and can hold fatal viruses, which furthermore leads to the false accusations placed upon their species. This includes the idea that robins spread deadly diseases and the accusation that all robins die young. This assists the claim because it shows how robins are looked down upon for their undesirable characteristics, therefore clarifying Tom Robinson’s low social position. An example that exhibits Tom Robinson’s low social position occurs when Atticus asserts, “‘Given, Tom Robinson’s a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world’s going to say, ‘We think you’re guilty, but not very,’ on a charge like that. It was either a straight acquittal or nothing’”. Like robins, Tom Robinson is treated differently because of a quality that separates him from the rest of society. In this case, it is the color of his skin that exposes Tom to injustice. Although robins are beautiful and innocent creatures, they are separated from other bird species because of the way they carry viruses and diseases. Along with robin’s uncommon traits, they are divided because of their lifespan. While the average lifespan of a bird is 7-9 years, the lifespan of a robin ranges from 2 to 3 years. Similarly, Tom Robinson is segregated from the white population because of the color of his skin. Overall, this segregation is the cause of Robinson’s low social position, furthermore, conveys the claim that Tom is represented by a robin.
To add to a robin’s brevity and unusual facet, it is an underestimated species due to its undesirable characteristics. Tom Robinson shares this quality with robins because he was belittled for nothing, which coincides with the claim because it results in his position in the low social class. This is shown when Scout concludes, “Tom Robinson was probably the one person who was ever decent to her”. This conclusion shows how Tom Robinson has likable characteristics, yet he is treated with injustice because of the color of his skin. This cultivates his low position in society because it causes him to be an outcast. He is represented by a robin because they are both exhibited falsely and not given enough credit for their positive values. Thus, the robin species accurately portrays Tom Robinson’s low social class because a robin is falsely judged due to its repugnant characteristics.
In like manner, Robert E. Ewell is described as a “bantam cock,” a small and feisty breed of chicken, which correlates to the claim because it demonstrates Mr. Ewell’s attempt at existing in a high social class but realistically remaining in a low class. When responding to the clerk’s booming voice in the trial, Mr. Ewell was illustrated as, “. . . a little bantam cock of a man rose and strutted to the stand, the back of his neck reddening at the sound of his name. When he turned around to take the oath, we saw that his face was red as his neck. We also saw no resemblance to his namesake. A shock of wispy new-washed hair stood up from his forehead; his nose thin, pointed, and shiny . . . ‘—so help me God,’ he crowed”. The overall description of Mr. Ewell resembles a male rooster and represents his consistent will to be a part of the higher class in society. The action of him strutting symbolizes the way a rooster walks, his red facial features symbolize those of a rooster, his stuck-up new-washed hair symbolizes a rooster’s comb, and his voice mimics a rooster. These significant symbols display Mr. Ewell’s self-conceded personality and prove why he does not have a higher social position, like the Finches. Therefore, the evident rooster description of Mr. Ewell represents his low social status.
One of the most vital symbols in To Kill A Mockingbird is Harper Lee’s use of birds to represent the social positions of different characters. Whether it’s the leadership qualities of a Finch or the undesirable characteristics of a robin, each Maycomb citizen has a connection to a species of bird. Social classes are imperative in society because they provide an organized order for humanity. Lee’s famous novel has a significant impact on American literature because it teaches readers the importance of racism, sexism, gender roles, womanhood, fatherhood, and stereotypes within society. The story of the Finch family, Tom Robinson, and their fight for justice in a world of evil consists of a variety of themes, symbols, and morals that influence students. To conclude, the connection between the characters of Maycomb and different bird species is presented very well throughout the novel as examples of symbolism in to Kill a Mockingbird.
Works Cited
- “American Robin Life History, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.” All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory.
- Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. New York, Grand Central Publishing, 1960.
- O'Keeffe, Jillian. “What Are Traits of the Robin?” Sciencing, 22 Nov. 2019, https://sciencing.com/traits-robin-8434772.html.
