Symbols, motifs Symbols, motifs and themes in “to and themes in “to

kill a kill a mockingbird”mockingbird”

Mockingbird as a symbolMockingbird as a symbol Mockingbird symbolizes Tom Robinson Mockingbird symbolizes Tom Robinson

and Boo Radley who are both good and Boo Radley who are both good people but don’t have their own “song” in people but don’t have their own “song” in the town.the town.

Scout and Jem are also “mockingbirds". They are both innocent in the beginning of the book, but as the novel progresses they face prejudice, malice, fear and evil which change them and they become more mature.

NamesNames Some of the character’s names in Some of the character’s names in

the book are symbolic.the book are symbolic. Scout = a seeker, scouting out new Scout = a seeker, scouting out new

areas of experienceareas of experience Atticus = the district Attica of Atticus = the district Attica of

ancient Greece in which Athens ancient Greece in which Athens was located. Atticus is also was located. Atticus is also connected with Stoics because of connected with Stoics because of his way of living and justice, his way of living and justice, wisdom, courage and temperance wisdom, courage and temperance

The snowmanThe snowman• The snowman is a symbol of prejudice. The snowman is a symbol of prejudice.

It shows that blacks aren’t judged on It shows that blacks aren’t judged on their own merits, but on their their own merits, but on their relationships with the white folks in relationships with the white folks in town.town.

Tim JohnsonTim Johnson Tim Johnson represents prejudice, and how, like a Tim Johnson represents prejudice, and how, like a

rabid dog , it spreads its disease throughout the rabid dog , it spreads its disease throughout the town. Atticus Finch is seen as a hero for he kills town. Atticus Finch is seen as a hero for he kills racism and prejudice, not allowing it to spread. racism and prejudice, not allowing it to spread. Tim Johnson’s appearance also symbolizes the Tim Johnson’s appearance also symbolizes the unrest and insanity that are upon Maycomb- unrest and insanity that are upon Maycomb- through Tom Robinson`s trial.through Tom Robinson`s trial.

Miss Maudie's houseMiss Maudie's house Miss Maudie’s house Miss Maudie’s house

symbolizes the symbolizes the chaos and chaos and uncertainty of what uncertainty of what is to come.is to come.

The fire itself is The fire itself is symbolic of the symbolic of the upcoming conflicts upcoming conflicts that Scout and the that Scout and the community will face.community will face.

Gray GhostGray GhostThe Grey Ghost, another The Grey Ghost, another symbol perhaps for Boo symbol perhaps for Boo

Radley whose "face was as Radley whose "face was as white as his hands and his white as his hands and his

grey eyes were so colourless" grey eyes were so colourless"

Social class• Differences in

social status are explored largely through the overcomplicated social ladder of Maycomb.

Finches and most of the townspeople beneath them

Cunningham

Ewells

The black community

FemininityFemininity Throughout the book several Throughout the book several

female characters influence female characters influence Scout's development as a Scout's development as a lady.Miss Maudie and Calprunia lady.Miss Maudie and Calprunia are the women which become are the women which become a model for Scout as the novel a model for Scout as the novel progreses with their behavior progreses with their behavior good heart and understanding.good heart and understanding.

Although Mayella Ewell and Although Mayella Ewell and Mrs Dubose are the most Mrs Dubose are the most hateful persons for the little hateful persons for the little girl they help her see the girl they help her see the reality.reality.

Aunt Alexandra tries to change Aunt Alexandra tries to change completely for her good Scout completely for her good Scout but at the end of the novel she but at the end of the novel she is the one changedis the one changed

Coexistence of good and evilCoexistence of good and evil is one of the main themes in the novel. We can follow how every character is touched by this topic. For example Scout is changed but keep believing in goodness unlike Jem who is completely deprived of faith. Atticus is the balance between these two extremes. He accepts that good and evil exist and thinks that we cannot judge anyone.

BraveryBravery Bravery takes many forms in Bravery takes many forms in

"To Kill a Mockingbird". The "To Kill a Mockingbird". The reader sees it in Atticus' reader sees it in Atticus' defense of Tom Robinson, in defense of Tom Robinson, in his children when they face his children when they face challenge like Scout`s challenge like Scout`s confrontation with the mob at confrontation with the mob at the jail, or in Mrs. Dubose's the jail, or in Mrs. Dubose's fight with the morphine fight with the morphine addiction, and, of course, in addiction, and, of course, in Boo Radley when he grabs a Boo Radley when he grabs a knife and kills Ewell so that he knife and kills Ewell so that he saves Scout and Jem's lives.saves Scout and Jem's lives.

Walk in Another Man's Walk in Another Man's ShoesShoes• This theme is This theme is

represented through represented through Boo Radley, a man Boo Radley, a man surrounded by surrounded by mystery, gossips and mystery, gossips and for this reason for this reason prejudices. Because of prejudices. Because of them originally Scout them originally Scout thinks him of a thinks him of a monster but in the end monster but in the end she even comes to she even comes to accept Boo as a friend.accept Boo as a friend.

Made by:•Tanya

• Donka

•Didi

• Krisi