Abstract：Nelle Harper Lee is a famous American female writer in the 1950s. In 1960, she published the only autobiographical novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which won her a great reputation and won the Pulitzer prize for literature in 1961. The novel tells the story of the black Tom trial experienced by Scott and his brother Jem in the town Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression of the United States. It reveals the racial discrimination in the southern part of the United States in the mid-1960s. In the title of the novel, the mockingbird has a significant symbolic meanings. Many of the characters in the story are like the mockingbird’s fate. They do not do anything bad but are hurt by people.

Since its publication, the novel has received extensive attention from the academic community. Experts and scholars at home and abroad have explored the theme of the novel from the perspective of racial prejudice, society and family ethics. They also proceed from artistic techniques and interpret the unique narrative angles, metaphors and sarcastic techniques of the novel. On the basis of previous research, the thesis will use the theory of symbolism to analyze the symbolic meaning of the mockingbirds and the profound symbolic connotations of the work, to explore the spiritual characteristics and life experience of the characters in the book, and to reveal the themes of racial discrimination, the hypocrisy and the evil of human nature reflected in the novel. The use of symbolism in the novel not only highlighting atmosphere, but also strengthens the themes of the works.

Keywords：Harper Lee  To Kill a mockingbird  symbolism

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Hapeer Lee-1

1.2 Introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

1.4 Thesis Structure-2

Chapter Two Symbolism-3

2.1 Definition and Characteristics of Symbolism-3

2.2 Development and Influence of Symbolism-3

Chapter Three Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird-5

3.1 Symbolism in Mockingbird-5

3.2 Symbolism in Characters-5

3.2.1 Arthur Radley-5

3.2.2 Tom Robinson-6

3.2.3 Mayella Ewell-7

3.3 Symbolism in Objects-7

3.3.1 Camellia—Courage-7

3.3.2 Guns—Power of Restraint and Control-8

3.3.3 Doors—Barriers among People-8

Chapter Four Function of Symbolism in the Novel-10

4.1 Highlighting Atmosphere-10

4.2 Strengthening Theme-10

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

References-13