An Analysis of Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird_英语论文

摘要

美国作家哈珀·李的著作《杀死一只知更鸟》是青少年中最流行的书籍之一,并被广泛阅读。作为一部根据哈珀·李自身童年生活和经历而著的自传式小说，《杀死一只知更鸟》讲述了一个发生在虚构小镇梅岗城的故事，其中各个人物都具有自身的特点。哈珀·李在书中使用了一系列的象征，例如书的标题、花和其他物体的象征，以加强作品的意义。本论文对最主要的象征及相对次要的象征进行分析，通过解读人物的生活环境和性格特点，将其与之相对应的象征联系起来，深入分析并最终得出结论，强暴和种族歧视等严峻的社会问题与善良共存，这些问题可以被改变但永远无法根除。

关键词：《杀死一只知更鸟》 象征 种族歧视

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

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