To Kill a Mockingbird

In reading the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, you learn the title insinuates that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because a mockingbird only produces beautiful music. You can also interpret from events in the novel that people of the town of Maycomb are like mockingbirds; they never offend anyone in the town. The two characters this concept applies to the most are Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird is accused of raping Mayella Ewell. He is a black man accused by a white woman. The judge of the town appoints Mr. Atticus Finch as his attorney, but since he was a black man, the case was already lost. Mr. Atticus still took the case and fought to win. He is like a mockingbird in the novel because he never bothered anyone in the town. Atticus taught his children that Tom being found guilty, going to jail, and being shot down was a sin like killing a mockingbird. In the novel it says, “Senseless killing- Tom had been given due process of law to the day of his death; he had been tried openly and convicted by twelve good men and true; my father had fought for him all the way. Then Mr. Underwood’s meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.”

The second “mockingbird” in the story is Arthur “Boo” Radley, a recluse who is the subject of many town rumors. For example, near the beginning of the book, Jem describes Boo to Scout and Dill in an outrageous way. Boo’s hermit personality makes people start thinking ridiculous things. Boo is a good person corrupted by the ways of others. In addition, when Boo saves the children, Heck Tate tries to explain