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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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What do the items in To Kill a Mockingbird symbolize about Scout, Jem, and Boo Radley?

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, the items symbolize various aspects of Scout, Jem, and Boo Radley. The pocket watch and necklace represent the children's inevitable transition from innocence to maturity. The crayon, harmonica, whistle, marbles, and toys symbolize their innocent childhood pastimes and Boo's gifts. The drawing of the mockingbird alludes to Boo's innocence and the novel's central theme of protecting the innocent.

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Although some of these items were left in the secret knothole as gifts for Jem and Scout by Boo Radley, several of them were not. Instead, they appeared in the background of the opening credits of the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird--meant, no doubt, as symbols of the time period. The pocket watch, for example, was "our biggest prize," according to Scout. Jem carried the watch proudly, even though it didn't run; it was a way of emulating Atticus, who also brandished a pocket watch. It also signifies the passage of time. The drawing of the bird (which was not a gift from Boo), symbolizes the title of the story, and the crayon illustrates a child's drawing tool. The harmonica, pearl necklace and whistle were not gifts from Boo, but they seem to represent possessions that a boy and girl might treasure. The soap dolls, probably carved by Boo himself, were representations of Jem and Scout.

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The gifts in the tree symbolize innocence and friendship.

Boo Radley leaves a variety of gifts in the tree for the children to find, until Nathan Radley cements the hole.  The children do not know who is leaving the gifts at first, but when they realize that Boo left them they know that he is reaching own.  When Nathan Radley cements the hole, they realize he is preventing Boo from interacting with the outside world.  Scout is worried that Boo will get in trouble when she realizes he has put a blanket on her shoulders.  These events change their perception of Boo, and they begin to see him as a secret friend.

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