What Does Tom Robinson Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The mockingbird is a very important symbol in To Kill a Mockingbird, a story that utilizes symbols and characters to highlight the underlying themes about complex issues in the setting of 1930’s southern America. This critically acclaimed novel features Jean Louise Finch narrating her life as a child, with her father Atticus, who is a lawyer, fighting a case for a black man who’s name is Tom Robinson.The mockingbird is mentioned various times throughout the book, with it being used as a representation of innocence, as Ms. Maudie states, “ ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ ” (Lee 90). Tom Robinson is a mockingbird in this book, …show more content…
The black community and a subset of the white population who follows Atticus’s views respected and attempted to protect Tom Robinson, with the Ewell family victimizing him. The black community shows respect by supporting Tom’s family with help as well as Tom himself in the form of support during the trial. Atticus not only respects and helps the man, but he also protects him, as seen in the confrontation with a mob who was out to harm Tom, and his passionate defense for Tom during the trial. Ewell tried to victimize him by using his will to not hurt anyone and his black skin against him. Atticus argues, “ ‘...What did her father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively by his left’ ”(204). The preceding quote paints a picture that the Ewells are exploiting Tom Robinson to cover up Mayella Ewell’s mistake, and Atticus is trying to save Tom from imprisonment for something he never did. With Atticus is protecting him because he truly believes in his innocence, and the Ewells are taking advantage of his good nature to put him in this trial, it is very clear that Tom Robinson is a
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