Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 3.Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader.

Number 1: Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 

The mocking bird is the symbol of a person/animal/thing representing innocence, one that has done nothing wrong, is completely harmless and is good to society. It deserves to be protected and and not prosecuted or hurt. Mrs Maudie quotes; “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but... sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.

2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 

The idea of the mockingbird being a symbol of something relating to the book "to kill a mockingbird' is in and through characters. The first character in the book is Boo Radley (otherwise known as Arthur). Many fear him in the community, however he has never done anything to hurt anyone, only ever done good, much like the mockingbird. He cares for and looks after the Finch children. This is first shown by him giving them gifts in the tree holes, and then during night of the fire at Mrs Maudines house. He wrapped a blanket around scout. The final portrayal of Boo being symbolised metaphorically in comparison to a mocking bird is when he saves the Finch children from Bob Ewell whilst he was trying to attack them. His relevance is shown when scout quotes in relation to Mr Ewells knife and Boo being blamed for it: "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird..." pg 304

3) Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader. 

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee contains underlying and hidden messages, many displayed though the use of a symbol; the mocking bird. The mockingbird very much so adds to the ideas of racial predjudice during the time of scouts childhood. The author positions the reader to accept the definition of a mockingbird as something that does nothing bad for us ("mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird" pg 100), and they should therefore not be harmed.  This also ties in with the characters in the novel. Tom Robinson, a coloured man whom is accused of raping a white girl however is innocent, is able to relate to this definition. Racial prejudice also is portrayed though this as even though Tom Robinson has done nothing wrong, much like mockingbirds, because of the colour of his skin the discrimination is made clear in the novel. Harper Lee was able to tie in the underpinning ideas of this novel which is mainly revolving around racial prejudice and discrimination, with the symbol of the mockingbird successfully by using Tom Robinson as a character to demonstrate this.