The purpose of this project was to assist us understanding the symbols and motifs in To Kill a Mockingbird. Knowing what the elements mean can help with understanding what the author is trying to convey to the reader. A motif is a thing or idea that shows itself throughout a literary work. Symbols are ideas or objects that represent something different than their actual meaning. The symbols draw attention to the recurring motifs in the story.
One symbol in the story is Tim Johnson. It represents prejudice and conflict that the Finch family faces. They fight against "madness," from the town people, similarly to the fact that they fight against Tim Johnson's madness.Throughout the story the motif is protecting themselves from the town's prejudice is revealed. They must defend themselves from the group of people outside the jail where Tom Robinson is being held. More incidents include the times where the children feel the need to defend Atticus when he is being insulted. It also shows how Atticus is charged with defending people. He must protect Tom Robinson and he must protect Scout, Dill, and Jem from the prejudice against them. The symbolism of Tim Johnson represents the prejudice of others.
A mockingbird is another important symbol. These birds show the innocent people. Atticus tells Jem, "...it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." They do not harm anything and only sing sweet music. The motif of innocents is shown in Tom Robinson, Atticus's faultless client. He is being accused of a crime he did not commit and has a poor chance of winning. It also reoccurs in Boo Radley, who has nothing to harm the children but is still viewed as threat. The motifs that the symbol of the mockingbird represent are present throughout the story.
Morphodite is also a symbol in To Kill a Mockingbird. A Morphodite in the story is someone who changes or is mixed. One example is the snowman. There was very little snow so the children used mud, making it a mixed snowman. Scout also calls Jem a morphodite because he changed his view on how Scout should act and agreed with Aunt Alexandra. People who change are present throughout the story. Mr. Cunningham is an example of a morphodite because he changes his actions when confronting Atticus.
Flowers also are a good portrayal of symbolism because of their representation of people. Camellias are symbolic of Mrs. Dubose and her resilience in fighting her morphine addiction. After Jem destroyed them, they grew back and were strong like Mrs. Dubose in her quest to die free of her addiction. Azaleas show Ms. Maudie's revolt from the church's views on how society should behave. Throughout the story she strays from the path of the towns people, such as her choice to agree with Atticus in the Tom Robinson case. They also are representative of protectiveness. Ms. Maudie protects the children, just as much as she protects her flowers. Mayella's Geraniums show her hard life. These flowers are sometimes considered weeds, although they are bright and resilient flowers. Mayella has very little in her life to look forward to and theses show the few thing people who are oppressed by lack of money or race have to look forward to. Flowers are a show people's lives and their characteristics.
The motifs in the story are drawn to attention by the symbols. These symbols represent ideas and concepts in the story. They are not stated clearly in the story. The motif of prejudice in the story are shown by the symbol of Tim Johnson. It is one example of how the Finches must protect themselves. The motif for morphodite is constant in the story as people change. The snowman is one example of the changing people. Mockingbirds are a symbol of the motif of innocents. The portrayal of people are shown through the different flowers. Every motif is represented by a symbol in different parts of To Kill a Mockingbird and are ideas present throughout the entire story.
One symbol in the story is Tim Johnson. It represents prejudice and conflict that the Finch family faces. They fight against "madness," from the town people, similarly to the fact that they fight against Tim Johnson's madness.Throughout the story the motif is protecting themselves from the town's prejudice is revealed. They must defend themselves from the group of people outside the jail where Tom Robinson is being held. More incidents include the times where the children feel the need to defend Atticus when he is being insulted. It also shows how Atticus is charged with defending people. He must protect Tom Robinson and he must protect Scout, Dill, and Jem from the prejudice against them. The symbolism of Tim Johnson represents the prejudice of others.
A mockingbird is another important symbol. These birds show the innocent people. Atticus tells Jem, "...it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." They do not harm anything and only sing sweet music. The motif of innocents is shown in Tom Robinson, Atticus's faultless client. He is being accused of a crime he did not commit and has a poor chance of winning. It also reoccurs in Boo Radley, who has nothing to harm the children but is still viewed as threat. The motifs that the symbol of the mockingbird represent are present throughout the story.
Morphodite is also a symbol in To Kill a Mockingbird. A Morphodite in the story is someone who changes or is mixed. One example is the snowman. There was very little snow so the children used mud, making it a mixed snowman. Scout also calls Jem a morphodite because he changed his view on how Scout should act and agreed with Aunt Alexandra. People who change are present throughout the story. Mr. Cunningham is an example of a morphodite because he changes his actions when confronting Atticus.
Flowers also are a good portrayal of symbolism because of their representation of people. Camellias are symbolic of Mrs. Dubose and her resilience in fighting her morphine addiction. After Jem destroyed them, they grew back and were strong like Mrs. Dubose in her quest to die free of her addiction. Azaleas show Ms. Maudie's revolt from the church's views on how society should behave. Throughout the story she strays from the path of the towns people, such as her choice to agree with Atticus in the Tom Robinson case. They also are representative of protectiveness. Ms. Maudie protects the children, just as much as she protects her flowers. Mayella's Geraniums show her hard life. These flowers are sometimes considered weeds, although they are bright and resilient flowers. Mayella has very little in her life to look forward to and theses show the few thing people who are oppressed by lack of money or race have to look forward to. Flowers are a show people's lives and their characteristics.
The motifs in the story are drawn to attention by the symbols. These symbols represent ideas and concepts in the story. They are not stated clearly in the story. The motif of prejudice in the story are shown by the symbol of Tim Johnson. It is one example of how the Finches must protect themselves. The motif for morphodite is constant in the story as people change. The snowman is one example of the changing people. Mockingbirds are a symbol of the motif of innocents. The portrayal of people are shown through the different flowers. Every motif is represented by a symbol in different parts of To Kill a Mockingbird and are ideas present throughout the entire story.