Two mockingbirds can symbolize different things depending on the context and interpretation. However, in relation to the theme of innocence and destruction in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” two mockingbirds can represent the duality of innocence and the vulnerability of those who are pure-hearted.
Firstly, mockingbirds themselves are often seen as innocent creatures. In the novel, they are depicted as harmless beings that do nothing but sing beautiful songs. They do not harm others or cause any trouble. Thus, a single mockingbird can symbolize purity and innocence. However, when there are two mockingbirds, it can emphasize the contrast between their innocence and the threat of destruction they face.
Two mockingbirds can represent the innocence of two characters in the story. For example, Scout and Jem, the young children in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” can be seen as mockingbirds due to their naivety and lack of understanding of the evils of the world. They are pure-hearted and have not been tainted by the prejudices and biases present in their society. Just like mockingbirds, they are harmless and do not wish harm upon anyone.
The presence of two mockingbirds can also highlight the vulnerability of innocence. In the novel, both Scout and Jem face various challenges and encounters with evil and injustice. Their innocence becomes a target for those who seek to destroy it. They are subjected to racism, violence, and hatred, which threatens to rob them of their innocence. The two mockingbirds symbolize the imminent destruction of their innocence if they are not protected.
Moreover, two mockingbirds can also represent the contrasting reactions and responses to innocence and destruction. In the story, Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem’s father, serves as a moral compass and protector of innocence. He understands the value of innocence and teaches his children to empathize with others and to stand up against injustice. Atticus acts as the guardian of the two mockingbirds, trying to shield them from harm and preserve their innocence.
On the other hand, characters like Bob Ewell and Mayella Ewell can be seen as the destroyers of innocence. They represent the evil and ignorance that seeks to harm the innocent. Their actions and lies ultimately lead to the destruction of Tom Robinson, an innocent black man falsely accused of a crime. The two mockingbirds can symbolize the clash between the protectors of innocence, like Atticus, and the destroyers of innocence, like the Ewells.
The symbolism of two mockingbirds in “To Kill a Mockingbird” represents the duality of innocence and the vulnerability of those who possess it. It highlights the contrast between purity and the threat of destruction. The innocence of characters like Scout and Jem is at risk, and the two mockingbirds symbolize their potential loss of innocence. Additionally, the presence of protectors and destroyers of innocence further emphasizes the significance of the two mockingbirds as a symbol in the story.