The Snowman:
•One of the most profound pure symbols of race relations in the novel revolves around Jem and Scout's snowman.
•Since Alabama winters don’t produce enough snow to allow them to build a snowman entirely out of snow, Jem makes a foundation out of mud, covering it with the snow the children could scrape together.
•More likely, this act is symbolic of a blending of the “clean” snow and the “dirty” mud, both of which are natural substances, showing how similar humans are.
•The substance created by the mixing is different than, although not necessarily better or worse than, either mud or snow.
•Atticus approves of his son’s ingenuity as he says, “I didn't know how you were going to do it, but from now on I'll never worry about what'll become of you, son, you'll always have an idea."
•It is the idea, after all, the act of thinking, that separates intelligence from prejudice.
The snowman changes yet again as Miss Maudie Atkinson's house burns to the ground, melting the snow and leaving nothing but a clump of mud.
•At least the snowman had a short life as a mixed “creature,” enjoying the best of both worlds.
•In a sense, the snowman is like a mixed race child who inherits the good qualities of his white and black parent, but who is scorned by a society that blames him for his parents’ choices.
Explaining of Symbolism
•Atticus said that Jem could shoot all the cans he wanted to, but not to ever shoot a Mockingbird. It is connected to Tom because all Tom does is help people the best way he knows how.
•Another thing was that the bird and Tom didn’t hurt anyone, so there was and or is no reason that they should be shot.
•Atticus most likely also wanted to explain to Jem the importance of not shooting that bird because he didn’t want him to turn out like one of the people from the jury.
•In the symbolism that Miss Maudie uses she was just saying that they sang their hearts out for us and we shouldn't’t kill them.
•This is connected to Tom because all he does is work his heart out, and what does he get in return? Nothing! At least nothing but trouble and grief.
