To Kill a Mockingbird: Themes and Symbols

Miss Caroline is Scout's first teacher. She represents a naive and judgemental perspective, failing to understand the nuances of Maycomb's social dynamics.

Walter Cunningham Jr. is a poor but proud boy who embodies the importance of integrity and self-respect. He refuses to take handouts, illustrating the resilience and strength found in poverty.

Mr. Dolphus Raymond is a wealthy white man who chooses to appear inebriated. He hides his relationship with a Black woman to avoid the social stigma and racial prejudice rampant in Maycomb.

Mrs. Dubose is a fierce and prejudiced woman who struggles with addiction. Her journey of overcoming morphine addiction represents overcoming personal limitations but her racism shows that societal biases are hard to break.

Mr. Link Deas is a white man who publicly defends Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of assault. He stands for justice and equality, defying the racial prejudice prevalent in Maycomb.

A triangle with all sides the same length.

The point where the perpendicular bisectors of a triangle intersect. Also known as the center of the circle that passes through all three vertices of the triangle.

The sum of the interior angles of a polygon is given by the formula: (n - 2) * 180 degrees, where 'n' is the number of sides of the polygon.

Two triangles are considered congruent if all corresponding sides and angles are equal in measure.

A quadrilateral with four right angles and all sides equal in length.

The killing of Tim Johnson, a dog suspected of having rabies, represents the unjust death of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of assault. This symbol highlights the blind nature of racism, as fear and prejudice overshadow truth.

Mayella's red geraniums, Mrs. Dubose's camellia, and Ms. Maudie's flowers represent the good within individuals despite their perceived flaws. These flowers are symbols of hope and beauty in a world stained by prejudice.

The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and vulnerability. It represents those harmed without reason, like the Mockingbird itself, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley, who are all deeply mistreated despite their harmlessness.

The snowman, built of mud and then covered in snow, symbolizes the shared humanity of all individuals, despite outward appearances. Just as the snowman is both mud and snow, the characters share a common core but appear different.

The ham costume, representing Scout's childhood innocence, protects her from the harsh realities of prejudice and injustice. Her playful nature allows her to navigate the complex world of Maycomb with a certain naivete.

The broken pocket watch symbolizes the stagnation and lack of progress in Maycomb's society. Boo Radley's gifts, like the soap dolls, represent his desire for innocence and safety for the children, contrasting with the town's inability to move forward.

The cement symbolizes the rigidness and inflexibility of Maycomb's society. Just as cement is hard and unchanging, the town struggles to embrace progress and new ideas.

The broken arm symbolizes the permanent damage caused by injustice and prejudice. Jem's temporary broken arm represents his temporary setback, while Tom Robinson's permanent injury represents the lasting consequences of prejudice.

A literary device where the author uses words that have a deeper meaning than their literal definition, evoking feelings and associations.

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, without using 'like' or 'as'.

A literary device where an object, person, or event has a symbolic meaning beyond its literal interpretation.

A statement in which the meaning is the opposite of what is said, often for humorous effect.

A figure of speech where an object or idea is given human qualities.

A literary device where the audience knows something that the characters in the story do not, creating suspense or irony.

The perspective from which a story is told. It can be first person ('I'), second person ('You'), or third person ('He/She').