To Kill a Mockingbird: Metaphors

Literary Term #9
Metaphor: A type of figurative language in which a statement is made that says that one thing is something else but, literally, it is not. In connecting one object, event, or place, to another, a metaphor can uncover new and intriguing qualities of the original thing that we may not normally notice or even consider important. Metaphoric language is used in order to realize a new and different meaning. As an effect, a metaphor functions primarily to increase stylistic colorfulness and variety. Metaphor is a great contributor to poetry when the reader understands a likeness between two essentially different things.
Example: “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no escape” (323). Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird
Function:
Context: During this time in the novel, Scout is reading Mr. Underwood’s editorial and reads that Atticus fought for Tom Robinson with all that he could. Upon reading that line, Scout realizes that Atticus was never going to win the trial no matter what he did because he was defending a black man. Most of the men at the court were extremely racist against black people, and would not dare to support them even if they say they support equality.
Concept: The use of the men’s hearts is meant to be a metaphor for the choices that the people of the court make because of their own beliefs and prejudices. During the trial, the “secret courts of men’s hearts (323)” heavily impacted many of the choices people chose. Most of the court was very racist, and all of their choices were driven by racist thoughts. If Tom Robinson was not black, there would have been a much larger chance he and Atticus would have won the trial, even if Atticus did not present as much evidence as during the trial. Another example of injustice because of racism is when “Mr. Radley shot at a Negro in his collard patch. (72)” Mr. Radley believed the trespasser was a black man because the racial prejudices at the time and attempted to shoot the trespasser. If it were daytime and Mr. Radley could see better, he would have clearly seen the children and not come close to even having the idea of shooting them.
Connection: The explanation of injustice towards people is meant to display the theme of what actions are chosen because of inequality. During part one of the story, Scout did not learn about inequality yet and said that Walter Cunningham was “just a Cunningham (33).” The Cunningham family is poor, so they are looked down upon by most of the society. Any actions taken toward the Cunningham’s are also different than usual, because they are considered to be of a lower status than average. Scout would have probably treated Walter with more respect and less rudeness if they were both called equal by society.