Tuesday 15 July 2014

What type of figurative language is used in "it is a sin to kill a mockingbird"?

Atticus explains that killing a mockingbird is a sin because all the mockingbird does is make music. Unlike bluejays or crows, the mockingbird does not damage crops or attack other animals. There are multiple examples, or representations of this in the story.


Symbolically, the sin of killing a mockingbird translates to the sin of wrongly finding Tom Robinson guilty. Tom Robinson is shown throughout the story as a good person, a hard worker, and someone...

Atticus explains that killing a mockingbird is a sin because all the mockingbird does is make music. Unlike bluejays or crows, the mockingbird does not damage crops or attack other animals. There are multiple examples, or representations of this in the story.


Symbolically, the sin of killing a mockingbird translates to the sin of wrongly finding Tom Robinson guilty. Tom Robinson is shown throughout the story as a good person, a hard worker, and someone who has strong values and genuinely tries to help others.


Tom Robinson is meant to represent the human equivalent of a mockingbird. While other people in the story are hurtful, prideful, and at times violent, Tom is quiet and respectful.


The same can be said for Boo Radley. He has become what he is based on what was done to him. Even though he was responsible for Ewell's death, it would be wrong to put him on trial. He saved Jem's life and meant no harm to anyone.


In both cases, the way the characters live their lives is symbolic of the mockingbird. So, the figurative language used is symbolism - the symbol of the mockingbird as a representation of good/harmless people. 

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