The Mockingbird:
The mockingbird represents the idea of innocence and that to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Jem, Tom Robinson, Dolphus Raymond, Dill and Boo are examples of innocents who have been jaded by evil. In an exchange between Scout and Ms Maudie, a neighbour, Ms Maudie says;
‘’Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’’ (pg 96)
The mockingbird represents the idea of innocence and that to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Jem, Tom Robinson, Dolphus Raymond, Dill and Boo are examples of innocents who have been jaded by evil. In an exchange between Scout and Ms Maudie, a neighbour, Ms Maudie says;
‘’Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’’ (pg 96)
Boo Radley:
Boo Radley is used to show the children’s’ development from a child-like perspective to a more adult one. In the beginning Boo was a childhood suspicion who gradually becomes more intriguing. He eventually becomes fully human to Scout which shows she has become a sympathetic and understanding person.
"I had never seen the neighbourhood from this angle…. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing there on the Radley porch was enough…" - Scout (pg 285)
Boo Radley is used to show the children’s’ development from a child-like perspective to a more adult one. In the beginning Boo was a childhood suspicion who gradually becomes more intriguing. He eventually becomes fully human to Scout which shows she has become a sympathetic and understanding person.
"I had never seen the neighbourhood from this angle…. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing there on the Radley porch was enough…" - Scout (pg 285)
Mad Dog:
Tim Johnston is the mad dog seem wandering the Maycomb streets. The whole town is scared of him so someone is called on to shoot him. Atticus steps up to the plate and reveals himself as a terrific marksman to his children. By Atticus stepping up he is putting himself between the townspeople and the dog which is symbolic of him putting himself between the innocent and the danger. This is also demonstrated between him and Jem during the court trial.
The dog is infected with rabies. This symbolizes that the whole town is infected with the 'usual disease'. This disease is racism. Racism makes the townspeople just as irrational and dangerous as Tim Johnston. Extreme racism is shown during the court case when Tom Robinson is convicted mainly for the fact that he said he felt sorry for Mayella, and God forbid a black man felt sorry for a white woman.
Tom Robinson: "Looks like she didn't have nobody to help her... I felt right sorry for her. She seemed..."
Prosecutor: " You felt sorry for her? A white woman? You felt sorry for her?" (pg 203)
Tim Johnston is the mad dog seem wandering the Maycomb streets. The whole town is scared of him so someone is called on to shoot him. Atticus steps up to the plate and reveals himself as a terrific marksman to his children. By Atticus stepping up he is putting himself between the townspeople and the dog which is symbolic of him putting himself between the innocent and the danger. This is also demonstrated between him and Jem during the court trial.
The dog is infected with rabies. This symbolizes that the whole town is infected with the 'usual disease'. This disease is racism. Racism makes the townspeople just as irrational and dangerous as Tim Johnston. Extreme racism is shown during the court case when Tom Robinson is convicted mainly for the fact that he said he felt sorry for Mayella, and God forbid a black man felt sorry for a white woman.
Tom Robinson: "Looks like she didn't have nobody to help her... I felt right sorry for her. She seemed..."
Prosecutor: " You felt sorry for her? A white woman? You felt sorry for her?" (pg 203)