Throughout the novel, mockingbirds symbolize innocent, defenseless beings who cause no harm to anyone and simply bring joy to the world. Tom Robinson is considered a symbolic mockingbird because he is a magnanimous individual who is helpless against Maycomb's prejudiced judicial system. In Chapter 9, Atticus explains to Scout who he is defending and says,
"I'm simply defending a Negro--his name's Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He's a member of Calpurnia's church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they're clean-living folks" (Lee 48).
Tom comes from a good family and attends church. He is a respected individual throughout his community and has a positive reputation. Similar to a mockingbird, Tom Robinson is harmless.
In Chapter 19, Tom is on the witness stand and Mr. Gilmer asks Tom why he helped Mayella Ewell out with her chores. Tom says,
"Looked like she didn't have anybody to help her, like I says---" (Lee 120).
When Gilmer asks Tom why he did the work for free, Tom says,
"I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em" (Lee 121).
Tom is naturally giving and spreads joy like a mockingbird.
In Chapter 24, Atticus tells Calpurnia, Alexandra, and Scout that Tom was shot dead attempting to escape from prison. Atticus says,
"I told him what I thought, but I couldn't in truth say that we had more than a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of white men's chances and preferred to take his own" (Lee 144).
Similar to a mockingbird, Tom is defenseless and is shot dead after becoming a victim of racial injustice.
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