Maudie, try to teach the children not to hurt mockingbirds as they don't harm anything and "...don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy" (90). While the comparison of a mockingbird to Tom Robinson illustrates the sin of hurting the innocent, it is also used to show the goodness of an unknown neighbor, Boo Radley. I. Describe what Tom Robinson is on trial for. A. summarize one of the reasons we believe he is innocent 1. his left arm is useless a. find quote where Tom says it got caught and the muscles were ripped (#).
The mockingbird is a major symbol in the novel because of Atticus’ belief that it is a sin to kill this bird. He says, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you hit ‘em, but remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 103). This belief stems from the concept that mockingbirds are innocent and do not harm anyone, so they should not be
. . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). This gives Scout a great sense in that it’s very wrong to treat people who don’t do much harm to society, badly.
A mockingbird is a harmless bird that makes the world more pleasant. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, who were both peaceful people who never did any harm. To kill or harm them would be a sin. Scout's father, Atticus, tells Scout and Jem, "I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.
His responsibility was all based on the color of his skin, not his true moral character. Opposite of the Deep South's beliefs of colored men at this time, Harper Lee portrays Tom as a friendly and humble man, who took time out of his day to help people - people who were neglected (even though white) like Mayella. Lee's portrayal of this outstanding character and his outstanding human character epitomize his representation as a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains to young Scout Finch that, "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.
Scout did mature throughout the book through standing up for what she knew what was right, becoming a young lady, and not to judge people. In the beginning of the book Scouts solution for solving a problem was with violence to teach that person a lesson. Although, Atticus did not agree with her actions and told her she needs to stop. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away, ‘Scout's a cow-ward!’ ringing in my ears. It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight.
He explains that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird, because they don't do anything bad to anyone, they only sing. This same lesson can be applied to characters in Lee's novel, such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, based on the fact that they're innocent people that are harmed and wronged by the evils of humanity. In some way, each of them are like mockingbirds, and by harming them, innocence is destroyed. The idea of mockingbirds representing innocence is a lasting one for the duration of the novel, and forces readers to take a look at the bigger picture. Perhaps the most relatable event to the symbolism, the Tom Robinson case depicts the destruction of innocence first hand.
Maudie) to kill one. Atticus tells Scout and her brother Jem, “I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee displays several examples and representations of the Jim Crow Laws. Harper Lee illustrated how the Jim Crow Laws affected Calpurnia the black housemaid and other characters as well. At first, the Jim Crow Laws were proposed to restrain blacks and poor whites from
Lee used repetition and listing to show the slow pace of Maycomb and the entrenched attitudes of the people. Later she used suspense and the mockingbird motif to show progress. To Kill A Mockingbird has become an American classic since it was first published in 1960. The story of an Alabama lawyer, Atticus Finch defending a negro, Tom Robinson, on a false rape charge, has become part