Symbolism
Miss Maudie's Nut Grass
"Why, one spring of nut grass can ruin a whole yard. Look here. When it comes fall this dries up & the wind blows it all over Maycomb county!" (Lee 56)
"If she found a block of nut grass in her yard, it was like the second Battle of the Marne: she swooped down upon it with a poisonous substance she said was so powerful it'd kill us all if we didn't stand out of the way." (Lee 56)
Miss Maudie's nut grass is a representation of how rumors in Maycomb county are easily spread, gossip is heard by practically every citizen, it seems. The nut grass is mainly directed toward's how the town views Boo Radley, as many rumors circulate around the house of the Radley's in general. Nobody seems to really know Boo Radley, so stories continue on and on until people like the Finch's are able to step into Authur Radley's shoes, so to speak.
"If she found a block of nut grass in her yard, it was like the second Battle of the Marne: she swooped down upon it with a poisonous substance she said was so powerful it'd kill us all if we didn't stand out of the way." (Lee 56)
Miss Maudie's nut grass is a representation of how rumors in Maycomb county are easily spread, gossip is heard by practically every citizen, it seems. The nut grass is mainly directed toward's how the town views Boo Radley, as many rumors circulate around the house of the Radley's in general. Nobody seems to really know Boo Radley, so stories continue on and on until people like the Finch's are able to step into Authur Radley's shoes, so to speak.
Mocking Bird
"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can em; but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (Lee 119)
"Mockingbird's don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. they don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corn-cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hears out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. (Lee 119)
The mockingbird in this novel represents Boo Radley; he literally doesn't do anything but yet people don't have much better to do than not like him in a small town like Maycomb county.
"Mockingbird's don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. they don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corn-cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hears out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. (Lee 119)
The mockingbird in this novel represents Boo Radley; he literally doesn't do anything but yet people don't have much better to do than not like him in a small town like Maycomb county.
Mad Dog
"He seemed dedicated to one course and motivated by an invisible force that was inching him toward us." (Lee 126)
" 'He's lookin' for a place to die," said Jem.
Mr. Tate turned around. "He's far from dead, Jem. He hasn't got started yet.' " (Lee 126)
The rabid dog symbolizes racism, very toxic and unreasonable. Later on in the chapter Atticus, a lawyer fighting against racism, shoots the dog dead. Basically what this whole ordeal was showing is that Atticus is attempting to make baby steps at having the ignorant town change their views towards the blacks.
" 'He's lookin' for a place to die," said Jem.
Mr. Tate turned around. "He's far from dead, Jem. He hasn't got started yet.' " (Lee 126)
The rabid dog symbolizes racism, very toxic and unreasonable. Later on in the chapter Atticus, a lawyer fighting against racism, shoots the dog dead. Basically what this whole ordeal was showing is that Atticus is attempting to make baby steps at having the ignorant town change their views towards the blacks.