To Kill A Mockingbird: A Literary Analysis

Kill them with kindness, this saying applies to everyday life, however, sometimes things don’t work out as planned, but this novel shows that even through the darkest times we must persist. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, two characters most signify mockingbirds; these characters are namely Jem and Scout Finch. Jem and Scout take on a journey to conquer their own beliefs and preconceptions, as well as the prejudices of the town in which they reside. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the characters of Jem Finch and Scout Finch as symbolic mockingbirds.
Over the course of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird Jem embodies the traits of a mockingbird. Firstly, Jem illustrates his innocence is during the trial of Tom Robinson, specifically when the verdict is read. Jem is shocked and sickened to hear a guilty verdict. This is proof of Jem’s innocence, or naivety as he is unable to allow prejudices to corrupt his opinion of Tom Robinson, which the jurors do as they convict Tom solely because he is black. This also shows how Jem doesn’t want to bring harm to others, especially when they are innocent. In continuation, Jem is a mockingbird because, when walking Scout home from the Halloween festival Jem and Scout are jumped and beaten by Bob Ewell. This excerpt depicts how Jem is a victim of violence due to Bob Ewell’s bitterness towards Atticus for embarrassing him at Tom’s trial, which is an act he had nothing to do with. Jem is also trying to help others by aiding Scout in getting away from Mr. Ewell, which makes Scout’s life become better overall. A final example of how Jem is a metaphorical mockingbird is when he is forced to read to Mrs. Dubose albeit begrudgingly. Jem is “singing” to Mrs. Dubose and distracting her from the constant pain she endures. Even though Jem feels like he is wasting his time, he continues performing this task and without even realizing it he makes Mrs. Dubose’s life better and provides her joy, like a mockingbird. After reading the novel it is easily plausible how Jem portrays the traits of a mockingbird.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird another character that proves they are a mockingbird is Scout. Firstly, after seeing the mob confronting Atticus outside the jail, Scout rushes headlong into the middle of the mob. This is evidence of Scout’s naivety or innocence as she is not wise enough to know what is actually happening. While most characters in the book would not rush into the middle of a mob, Scout charges to the center of the group and decides to strike up a conversation about law, with Mr. Cunningham and without knowing the terms she is using. In addition, after beating up her cousin Francis, Scout is reprimanded by her uncle Jack. Even though Scout had “proper” provocation to punch Francis, she is the victim of a “beating” that was unwarranted. Like all mockingbirds shown in the novel, Scout is the victim of violence for unjust reasons. Finally, throughout the novel, but especially while the knothole in the Radley tree is open Scout is a link for Boo into the outside world. Whether Scout knows or recognizes this fact, she is bringing joy into Boo’s life by merely accepting the gifts he leaves. Even though to Scout it may seem a small thing, these gifts are the only connection for Boo to the world outside his house, and her taking the trinkets brings him happiness as “his children” enjoy his gifts. In summary, Scout proves herself a mockingbird time and time again over the course of To Kill a Mockingbird. Jem and Scout are both clearly characters Harper Lee meant to use as representations of mockingbirds. These characters show throughout the novel how both of them are innocent, victims of unwarranted violence, and bring joy to others. The importance of treating everyone fairly and always talking time to get to know others before judging them is stressed over the course of the novel, and seeing these lessons through the eyes of a child is a moving way of conveying this message. This story allows the reader to see how important it is to treat all equally and how people should be judged by their actions not preconceptions.