To Kill A Mockingbird

             The mockingbird is a major symbol in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Harper Lee chose the mockingbird for both the title of her book and as a symbol in her book. I believe she selected it because the mockingbird is a creature that is loved by all for its singing and mocking, for which it gets its name, and how it never intends to harm anything or anybody. Atticus Finch says to Jem, "...but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." Whereupon Miss Maudie explains, "Your father's right, mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't' eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill mockingbirds."
             In the book, the mockingbird symbolizes Arthur "Boo" Radley in the novel. Both Boo and the mockingbird do no harm and are never anything but pleasant to others. Boo left gifts for Jem and Scout in the tree, such as gum, two indian head pennies, two carved soap figurines, and a pocketwatch. He also mended Jem's pants that were ripped in the fence. When Bob Ewell attacked Jem and Scout after a Thanksgiving pageant, Boo risked his life by saving both Scout and Jem. Scout was glad that Boo would not be charged for killing Bob Ewell, because she says, "It would be like killing a mockingbird." Like a mockingbird, it would be like a sin to kill Boo, because he did nothing but good deeds in his life and he never bothered anybody. He never did anything wrong, yet society was cruel to him. People in their community talked about him, when most of their talk was lies.
             Another symbolism of the mockingbird is of Tom Robinson. Like a mockingbird, Tom has never intended to harm anything or anybody. He did nothing but show kindness toward all. Yet people still kill mockingbirds, and Tom eventually dies for doing a good deed. Just ...

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To Kill A Mockingbird . (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 06:36, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/58818.html