Mockingbird Motif

Reading To Kill A Mockingbird has helped me understand the meaning of the word "motif" because every other theme has something to do with an innocent person. The theme of prejudice is shown in the Tom Robinson case, where Tom was innocent. Children are generally viewed as innocent and many adults learn from Scout and other children throughout the book.

The mockingbird motif is the idea of innocence. Mockingbirds do not cause harm, but rather stay in their trees and sing like other birds. It is a sin to kill one because they do nothing but create songs for you to listen to. This adds a symbolic level of meaning to the other themes because it ties everything together; Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and the children. Every theme has something to do with someone being innocent or seen as innocent, whether it be not commiting a crime or being young and naive.

symbolism

Mayella Ewell has six red geraniums planted in chipped-enamel slop jars in one corner of the yard. I think that these flowers symbolize that she is different from the rest of her family. The geranium flower represents friendship, stupidity, and sadness. Mayella has never had a friend and thought Atticus was insulting her when he asked if she had one. She is stupid, for she had received under two years of schooling. Loneliness is another thing she is feeling. Being in the house all day watching after her younger siblings as if she was their mother has probably made her feel alone. When she sees Tom Robinson go by every day and learns that he will do whatever she asks, she begins to feel for him, but not real love. I believe she only felt lust and her loneliness drove her to such extremes. The six little geraniums pretty much describe who Mayella Ewell is and that is why they are the symbol I chose.

Flower meaning from: http://www.tokenz.com/meaning-of-flowers.html

Image from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/3525575/Plant-containers-Time-to-cosy-up-to-your-bulbs.html

Life Lessons.

This is going to be one of the best times I will be able to describe this, so in other words, it's going to hit a nerve. Just bear with me. But because I do not have that raw, hurt, painful feeling right now, I'm going to put a few links in here to other things that I wrote while being depressed just to help you understand.

About a month ago, I went through a period of a week where I was absolutely depressed, crying all night, not sleeping, barely talking, and just not feeling good about anything. Though my reasons changed throughout the week, the one that started it all was my sister. Everyone can say that they love their sibling(s) and they enjoy having one. Only children even say they wish they did have one. The majority of the time, I hate mine. http://grasshoppergirl.deviantart.com/art/My-Life-124239779 Please read author's comments for some reasons why. So one evening while I was trying to make my parents understand something for once, my mom told me, "You cannot change who someone else is."

As a result, not much has changed. I finally realized I was being stupid and needed to do what was best for me - a lesson I am still learning. I got away from my family by going to a sleepover and came back feeling better. Until my sister hurt me again. She will never see how bad it feels or how often I cry because she will never pay attention to anyone but her, but I know it is something I cannot change.

http://grasshoppergirl.deviantart.com/art/Letters-to-Myself-139075850