How Does Mayella Ewell Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee uses the symbolic imagery of the mockingbird to discover and reveal the issues of prejudice, injustice and discrimination towards the innocence during the time period of the 1930s. Atticus Finch tells Jem and Scout that “it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 90). The mockingbird is a symbolic representation of purity and innocence. Throughout the novel, numerous characters can be metaphorically portrayed as a mockingbird. Tom Robinson can be acknowledged as a mockingbird based off his kind-hearted and generous personality. As well, he also took time out of his day to help the underprivileged, more specifically Mayella Ewell. Furthermore, Boo (Arthur) Radley is the ideal representation of …show more content…
Despite his admirable personality, he was often at times misunderstood and judged for his skin colour. Due to the fact that he was a coloured man, Tom Robinson was sent to trial and convicted guilty for raping Mayella Ewell although his innocence was proven by Atticus Finch. Contrary to society’s beliefs of coloured men during the time period of the 1930s, Harper Lee describes Tom Robinson as a highly respectful and generous man. Lee’s interpretation of his character emphasizes the reason in which why he is the main representation of the symbol of a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains to Jem and Scout that “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 90). Miss Maudie’s explanation of a mockingbird flawlessly describes Tom Robinson. The reason being is because during the trial, it is informed that “Tom Robinson was probably the only person who was ever decent to her” (Lee 192) because he would help Mayella fix things and greet her while passing by. In addition, although he was falsely convicted guilty of raping
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