Themes In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel that demonstrates many universal themes throughout the book. The most important theme that was prevalent, was that through the use of characterization, Harper Lee clearly portrays that the innocent are often taken advantage of by a corrupt society. The mockingbird was a very important symbol in the novel that was revealed through the characterization of 3 main characters in the book. The mockingbird was the ultimate symbol of the innocent that should be left alone because they are so precious and special. “I’d rather shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after the birds. Shoot at all the bluejays you want if you can hit them, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Page …show more content…
He was feared in the beginning of the story due to his criminal record. Boo was a hermit crab and was characterized as mysterious and scary. “People said he existed but Jem and I had never seen him… he went out at night when the moon was drawn and peeped into the windows.” (Page 9, Chapter 1). In the small, boring town of Maycomb, Alabama, word travels fast and so does gossip. Boo Radley was taken advantage of and judged by the rumors spread. Due to the characterization in the beginning of the book, us the readers have a negative connotation in association with Boo. We are similar to the large majority of maycomb. We first know little about Boo but then learn through his kind actions that he is misjudged and really has good intentions. The first act of kindness was when Jem, Dill, and Scout were trying to get him to come out of his house during the summer. A gunshot ends up going off and the kids get scared and run away, but in the process Jem’s pants get stuck in the fence and later that night when he goes back for them, they’re all folded neatly by Boo. Shortly after, scout finds several items, like an indian coin head, mint gum, and a valuable …show more content…
The setting had a large role because it made the corrupt society due to the racism, judgeful people, and inequality. "Why couldn 't I mash him? ' I asked. 'Because they don 't bother you." (Chapter 25, Page 238). This quote in the end of the novel brings the whole theme full circle about the innocent when the roly poly bug represents Tom, Mayella, and Boo. All things should be treated with kindness and like Jem told Scout in regards to the bug, if they don 't bother you, don 't worry about them. Furthermore this quote supports my claim that through the use of characterization, Harper Lee clearly portrays that the innocent are often taken advantage of by a corrupt