The gossip about Tom includes that "the veneer's mighty thin." This concept of thin surface and what is underneath has been brought up several times by Lee. Explain what point she is making, using the symbols or descriptions she has used elsewhere in the novel.

1. Scout learns generally quality folks by the stories of her community. She realizes that there are people who are like "trash" because of their prejudices like in the case of the Ewells. She learns that the background or raising of a person affects how one acts like Boo Radley. A reader can conclude that Scout considers quality people as neighbors who earn self-respect by respecting others.2. The "thin or thick" concept seen in Tom is highlighted several times in the novel. The scary stories that the children tell about Boo Radley are a good example. The children learn to change their minds about Boo Radley and believe he is more than what people perceive of him. Another symbol is what Scout calls mockingbirds. Mockingbirds are really innocent people in misjudged situations. They have a important role in society but are belittled.