How Does The Azalea Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird
“Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between.”(pg.) In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, flowers are a frequent symbol. The use of flowers in the novel have multiple meanings, some having a deeper meaning than others. These flowers are symbolizing people that are pretty significant in the story as well. Azaleas, Camellias and Geraniums are flowers associated with Miss. Maudie Atkinson, Mrs. Dubose and Mayella Ewell. Azaleas are mentioned multiple times with Mrs Maudie Atkinson. In fact, she was introduced with the help of her flower, the azalea. In the novel, her association with the azalea is introduced with, “Jem and I had always enjoyed the free run of Miss Maudie's yard if we kept
out of her azaleas, but our contact with her was not clearly defined.” (pg. 29). Throughout the story it is obvious how Miss Maudie Atkinson is very prideful in her femininity, which is one of the many definitions of the azlea. To add, passion being another meaning of the azalea flower, is a trait that Miss Maudie Atkinson also shows quite often. An example being whenever she takes care of her azaleas. Mrs. Dubose connection with camellias are much more deeper than meets the eye. When mentioning Mrs. Dubose for one of the last times, “Inside surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a waxy, perfect camellia” (pg. ). This shows she has left a piece of her with Jem. She was meaning to show that they were on good terms through the flower. One of the meanings of camellias is longevity; By giving the flower to Jem it also shows that her courage lives on. Lastly, Geraniums being attached with Mayella Ewell is pretty accurate after looking at the meanings of Geraniums. When on trial, Scout describes the Ewell’s yard. She says, “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums, cared for as tenderly as if they belonged to Miss Maudie Atkinson.” (pg.). One of the meanings of geraniums are stupidity, this tying together with her accusing Tom Robinson for raping her. By Mayella taking care of a flower as beautiful as a geranium it also ties in with the gentility and esteem meanings. She took such great care of those five flowers because despite her chaotic, rather uncomfortable home life she had hope in those flowers. The frequency of the symbolism of flowers in the novel was necessary and quite clever. Attaching flowers to these characters gave the story not only an interesting subject to look into but also a unique way to collaborate two livings things.
out of her azaleas, but our contact with her was not clearly defined.” (pg. 29). Throughout the story it is obvious how Miss Maudie Atkinson is very prideful in her femininity, which is one of the many definitions of the azlea. To add, passion being another meaning of the azalea flower, is a trait that Miss Maudie Atkinson also shows quite often. An example being whenever she takes care of her azaleas. Mrs. Dubose connection with camellias are much more deeper than meets the eye. When mentioning Mrs. Dubose for one of the last times, “Inside surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a waxy, perfect camellia” (pg. ). This shows she has left a piece of her with Jem. She was meaning to show that they were on good terms through the flower. One of the meanings of camellias is longevity; By giving the flower to Jem it also shows that her courage lives on. Lastly, Geraniums being attached with Mayella Ewell is pretty accurate after looking at the meanings of Geraniums. When on trial, Scout describes the Ewell’s yard. She says, “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums, cared for as tenderly as if they belonged to Miss Maudie Atkinson.” (pg.). One of the meanings of geraniums are stupidity, this tying together with her accusing Tom Robinson for raping her. By Mayella taking care of a flower as beautiful as a geranium it also ties in with the gentility and esteem meanings. She took such great care of those five flowers because despite her chaotic, rather uncomfortable home life she had hope in those flowers. The frequency of the symbolism of flowers in the novel was necessary and quite clever. Attaching flowers to these characters gave the story not only an interesting subject to look into but also a unique way to collaborate two livings things.