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Examples Of Metaphors In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

“‘Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right, Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy’” (119). To Kill A Mockingbird is named after this quote that Atticus says. Harper Lee used it as a metaphor to describe many of the characters who are described to be felonious people, but are actually innocent and well mannered. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and a father to Jem and Jean Finch. He believed that all people were equal and showed this by taking the case of Tom Robinson, a colored man accused of raping Mayella Ewell, and no matter how much backlash him and his kids got from taking this case, he knew it was the right thing to do. Atticus is a calm, thoughtful, and intelligent man who always keeps his head high. During the novel Atticus had to stay calm and collected collected several times no matter how stressful of aggravating a situation may be. Once when Jem and Scout were walking past Mrs. Dubose’s house, she said “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!’” (135), and she has said multiple other terrible things about the Finch family. Jem was always furious and almost lost his mind every single time he walked by her house, but Atticus would say to him, “‘Easy does it, son… She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad.’” (133). Atticus could have easily took all of his rage on her and treat her like she has treated him, but he made the decision to act like a gentleman and to treat her with respect. Tom Robinson was moved to the county jail, so Atticus stayed outside of the jail throughout the night to make sure that no one attacked him. A large group of men came to try and hurt Tom and they told Atticus to get out of the way, and instead of trying to fight them, Atticus stayed calm and told them that he suggested that they turn around. Atticus is a very thoughtful man. He would always be mindful of other people’s lives and would not be rude to someone now matter how awful they were. One of his morals in life was: “‘You never really

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