Symbolism is an effective device in the development of themes, in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Attitudes

Values

Cultural Assumptions

"The Finch Family"

A symbol of repressed humanity, and the free bird as a symbol of liberty.

Atticus Finch protects Tom Robinson at all cost even if everyone hates him.

Scout and Jem realise how messed up humanity is after the Tom Robinson case

Black people are symbolised as horrible, disgusting and always wrong and to never trust them

Many children and parents call Atticus a negro lover and he is given a bad representation and symbolised as a nasty person

Even children see black people as inferior

Finch bird are small colourful birds who are strong in character

Jem and Scout and small but are strong in character

Scout standing up for his dad and talking to the Cunningham at night even through she is a small kid

Beliefs

Mr. B.B. Underwood was at his most bitter, and he couldn't have cared less who canceled advertising and subscriptions....Mr. Underwood didn't talk about miscarriages of justice, he was writing so children could understand. Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children, and Maycomb thought he was trying to write an editorial poetical enough to be reprinted in The Montgomery Advertiser.

Tom Robinson whose symbolised a peaceful Mockingbird

Atticus said it was a sin to kill a mockingbird

The court is symbolised/believed as a place were everyone is given a chance

Even without eye witnesses and reasonably statements that Tom Robinson is not guilty he is sent to jail immediately

Legal symbolism is best understood as the legal system's specific reflection of social expectations of communal togetherness, goodness and justice

The symbolism of Tom Robinsons death criticises those with prejudiced and cruel attitudes and the problem of generational hate and violence.

Miss Maudie’s attitude regarding nut grass popping up on her lawn reflects the themes of prejudice and racism – the negative attitudes which pop up around Maycomb that are difficult to destroy.