To Kill a Mockingbird is a brilliant novel by Harper Lee that etches moral lessons into its pages. The novel deals with many themes such as the true meaning of courage, the importance of education, and the fact that a child's perception is wiser than that of an adult. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee uses skillful language to tell her story and connect with her audience. Harper Lee uses literal language, symbolism, and imagery to bring the meaning of To Kill a Mockingbird to life. Lee manipulates literal language, such as dialogue and dialect, to fundamentally connect his meaning to readers. Each character has their own individual personality, emotions and life, but the meaning of each life and its words only become clear in dialogue. “'Little by little, I told him the misfortunes of the day. “…and he said you taught me everything wrong, so we can never read again, ever. Please don't send me back, please sir.' […] 'First of all,' he said, 'if you can learn one simple trick, Scout, you'll get along very well with all kinds of people. You never truly understand a person until you consider things from their point of view…” “Sir?” '—until you get under his skin and walk in it'” (Lee 39). Dialogue helps readers learn and understand characters and underlying meaning. Dialogue helps readers understand what characters think, what they feel, and even what they represent. For example, when Atticus explains to Scout why he takes Tom's case: "'If you shouldn't defend him, then why do you?" "For several reasons," Atticus said. "The main one is, if I didn't do it, I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do anything anymore." “Do you mean that if d...... middle of paper ......image blurred by my sudden tears” (Lee 362). The image of Arthur Radley gives the reader a chance to see Arthur and the devastation Arthur experiences. Harper Lee powerfully applies imagery to help readers connect with and experience her novel. The use of literal language, symbolism, and imagery animates To Kill a Mockingbird, helping to bring Harper Lee's meaning to life. Harper Lee uses literal language to give the characters a unique voice and add meaning. He practices symbolism to give his novel a deeper understanding. His use of imagery gives readers the chance to personally experience the story and connect to its purpose. Harper Lee skillfully uses language to bring her novel to life and allow purpose to connect with her audience in a fundamental way. Works Cited Lee, Harper. To kill a thrush. 50th anniversary ed. New York: Grand Central, 1982. Print.