Abstract

American writer Harper Lee’s outstanding work To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most popular books among teenagers and has been widely read. As an autobiographic novel which based on Harper Lee’s own childhood life and experiences, To Kill a Mockingbird tells a story in the fictitious town of Maycomb, and the people there all have their own features. Harper Lee uses a number of symbols in the book such as the title itself as well as symbols of flowers and symbols of other items to add significance to the book. This thesis analyzes the meanings of different symbols, from the most important ones to the relatively less important ones. Through studying on the figures’ living environment and characteristics, connecting them with the corresponding symbols, it comes to the conclusion that serious social issues such as rape and racial discrimination coexist with goodness. They can be changed with people making efforts but they can never be eradicated. 

Key words: To Kill a Mockingbird; Symbols; Racial discrimination

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

2  The Symbolic Meaning of the Mockingbird-3

   2.1 The Kindness and Innocence of Arthur Radley-3

   2.2 The Innocence of the Unfairly-treated Tom Robinson-5

3  The Symbolic Significance of the Flowers-7

   3.1 The Strong and Sympathetic Miss Maudie as Azalea-7

   3.2 The Controversial but Brave Mrs. Dubose as Camellia-8

   3.3 The Lonely and Pathetic Mayella Ewell as Violet-9

4  The Symbolic Meaning of the Other Items-11

   4.1 The Mad Dog as the Things that Atticus Needs to Fight against-11

   4.2 Doors that Keep People from Seeing the Truth-12

   4.3 Guns as the Notions of Maturity and Restraint-12

5  Conclusion-14

Bibliography-15

Acknowledgments-16