Preview

It's A Sin To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
363 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
It's A Sin To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis
Atticus says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” to Jem in Chapter Ten of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee after Uncle Jack instructs both Jem and Scout on the principles of using their air rifles. Miss Maudie also tells Scout, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing…” From both statements, the reader may infer that Atticus desires his children to treat any innocent living being, possibly humans in specific, with respect, and wrongdoings occur when behaving oppositely. As the novel and Atticus’ case with Tom Robinson progresses, the idea above may develop into the main theme as the people of Maycomb County treat Atticus, Scout, Jem, and others wrongly simply due to the racism and discrimination that occurred in a segregated atmosphere. Also, several
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Symbol of the Mockingbird Lies at the Heart of Harper Lee's Novel to Kill a Mockingbird. Discuss.
    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Symbol of the Mockingbird Lies at the Heart of Harper Lee's Novel to Kill a Mockingbird. Discuss.

    The symbol of the mockingbird, with its associated ideas of a fragile, albeit beautiful innocence appears when Atticus tells Jem and Scout they may shoot all the bluejays they want, "but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". This is the first time Scout has ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something. The full significance of this remark is explained to Scout by Miss Maudie as she explains that mockingbirds "do nothing but sing their hearts out for us", making music for the enjoyment of everyone in Maycomb. They represent a type of gentle and harmless creature. Throughout the text, Lee reiterates that to kill a mockingbird would be wicked and spiteful, a senseless and pointless act of destruction.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Boo Radley Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Boo Radley Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

    “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit them, but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This advice from Atticus Finch to his daughter, Scout, meant that one should not destroy innocence. The mockingbird does no harm and provides beautiful songs, so they should be protected. To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is in the perspective of a tomboyish girl nick named Scout. Her brother is Jem and they play with Dill Harris when he comes in the summer. One summer the three of them try to lure the reclusive Boo Radley to show his face even though they themselves have never seen it.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Do Atticus And Miss Maudie Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1360 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Do Atticus And Miss Maudie Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Children are impressionable. However, important people in their lives, such as a father or neighbor, can help them mature and grow into a respected adult. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, several adults, such as Atticus and Miss Maudie provide moral guidance to Jem and Scout, hereby teaching them many lessons such as: to always respect others and to have courage. One important lesson Jem and Scout learn is that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. A mockingbird is a bird that does no harm to humans, its only purpose is singing. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because it has no negative impact on humans; therefore there is no reason in killing it. This was an important lesson taught by Atticus to his children, Jem and Scout, that allowed their morality to grow from…

    • 1360 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Tom Robinson Sin
    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Tom Robinson Sin

    “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This quote represents the essence of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. This novel casts light onto the idea of childlike innocence, sharply contrasting it with the prejudiced nature of adults. It follows the coming-of-age, or, at least, maturation of Scout. In this novel, the meaning of the opening phrase and the novel as a whole is shaped by the development of the protagonist, Scout, from a state of childlike ignorance and innocence to facing the realities of maturity--especially racism and hatred. While evidence of Scout’s maturation is found throughout the book, one event, the condemnation of Tom Robinson, is what ultimately shapes the meaning of the novel.…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Does Dill Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 442 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Does Dill Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Jem and Scout are two of the main characters in the story. One day they both get air rifles. Their father, Atticus, gives them a reminder before they can shoot their guns. He says, "I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard, 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" (Lee 119). Atticus is stressing the value of morals to his children. He's telling his kids that it is immoral to kill a mockingbird because they are harmless, innocent creatures.…

    • 442 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Salem Witch Trials In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Salem Witch Trials In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Atticus explains to Jem and Scout to “shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (90). Scout was bewildered by what he told them. She didn’t comprehend why it was a sin to kill a mockingbird, so she went to their neighbor to ask Mrs. Maudie what he meant. Miss Maudie explained that mockingbirds “don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy” (90). After both explanations, Scout understands why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. A mockingbird is nothing other than an innocent bird. They create music for people to appreciate and they also eat pests. Killing a mockingbird is comparable to destroying innocence…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Piggy's A Sin To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Piggy's A Sin To Kill A Mockingbird

    As Atticus said, “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”, because they have done nothing to anyone but try to please. There are many people in the world and in stories that symbolize mockingbirds, that were killed innocently. There are not many mockingbirds in Maycomb County, but until Boo Radley showed up no one knew that he was a true mockingbird. Mockingbirds do nothing but try to please humans by singing, and try to help. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout goes through many hard times and learns what it is to be like a mockingbird, innocent. In the end of the book, she realizes Boo Radley is a mockingbird, just like the gray ghost, a character in a book Scout and Atticus read. Innocent.…

    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Literary Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Literary Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird

    As most people have read the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, many have wondered, what contributes most to the story’s themes? Well, throughout the novel, there are three main literary elements that come into play. In the passage “‘It ain’t right, Atticus…”’(pg.284) to “I looked up, and his face was vehement”(pg.296), Harper Lee uses the literary element character, setting, and tone to develop the theme that recognizing perspectives contributes to coming of age. As many other themes in the novel, the theme will show a change in how Jem starts to view the world, and the major roles included in it, such as racism. But his perspective comes mostly from the kind of character he is.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Father
    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Atticus Finch Father

    Atticus’s brother, Uncle Jack, came to visit and he was talking about they way that Atticus treats his children. “When a child asks you something, answer him for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults…” (Lee 87). Mr. Finch perceives his two kin how he believes they should be. Before the case of Tom Robinson Atticus tells Scout that over the summer, she has a lot coming. He was talking about the trial. Next, Scout asks him why he is supporting Tom if the rest of Maycomb County thinks that it is wrong. He replies saying that it all comes down to your own credence. “ ‘Well, most folks seem to think they’re right and you’re wrong….’ ‘They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions,’ said Atticus, “But before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 105). This quote is a really powerful illustration of how he thinks that everyone matters, also that standing up for your opinion is the correct thing to do.…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sin to Kill a Mockingbird
    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sin to Kill a Mockingbird

    It is a sin to hurt the ones that only help the helpless and only do good things for the world. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a young girl named Scout Finch goes on many adventures with her older brother, Jem. They lived in Maycomb County in the mid 1930s. They deal with visits from their best friend, Dill, trouble with the town’s biggest trial and missions to get their neighbor, Boo Radley, out of his house for the first time in years. At the time, Atticus, their father, was the best lawyer in town and he had new case. He had to defend a black man that was accused of raping a white woman. His name was Tom Robinson and this trial became the talk of the town. This affected Scout and Jem greatly and created one of their longest journeys. The most important theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the sin to kill a mockingbird. The mockingbirds in this novel are Atticus, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. They affected them gravely and were important characters in the novel.…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mocking Bird
    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mocking Bird

    In the book To Kill A Mocking Bird there is a constant battle for human morality, and the book is constant in showing the struggle of goodness or evilness in people. Atticus, who is the father of Scout and Jem, who also plays the role of teacher for his children,firmly believs that people all posses the ability to do good in the world, equally so they posses the ability to perform evil acts as well. Although, Atticus is convinced that despite the struggle between good and evil, good will ultimately win. Atticus, who is also a lawyer, works hard to defend Tom Robinson, an innocent black man who is wrongly accused of raping a white woman. In hopes to teach not only his children, but his accusing town, of the great importance to not be so quick to judge. Deep in Americas southern states, in the small racist town of Maycomb, this battle occurred during the Depression era, because of this setting this case was considered a suicide mission, for he was Jesus preeching amongst the pharisees. Ignoring the seemingly impossible challenge of overcoming the town's deep racism, he continued on forcing the town to change their social perspectives, Atticus continues on with this challenge because in his heart he firmly believes that one day, goodness will prevail over the evils of racism and that alas racial equality will exist!…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Jem Coming Of Age In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1288 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What Is Jem Coming Of Age In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Children are perceived as innocence due to their lack of understanding and morality. Throughout the story, Scout's moral perspective develops from innocence towards grown-up because of the harsh reality she is exposed to. She learns valuable lessons and is given eye opening advice from Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Atticus. In fact, the mockingbird is first introduced to Scout when Atticus gives them the rule to not shoot mockingbirds because it is a sin. Miss Maudie explains the rule when she tells Scout, "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 a mockingbird." (pg. 119) The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and pure good that is to be protected. As a mockingbird, Scout is unprotected from the cruelty during Tom Robinson's trial, and soon changes her perspective of things. One of the things she looks at differently is Boo Radley. After Boo had given her and Jem small presents in the hole of the oak and he covered her with the blanket when Miss Maudie's house was on fire, Scout realized that Boo wasn't as bad as the town gossip made him out to be. Her realization was strengthened when she found out that it was Boo Radley who had saved her and Jem from Bob Ewell. Once Scout had escorted him home, making…

    • 1288 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Remember It's A Sin To Kill A Mocking Bird Analysis
    • 249 Words
    • 1 Page

    Remember It's A Sin To Kill A Mocking Bird Analysis

    " Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was taken place in the 1930s, during the years of the great depression, in the southern alabama in a small town called Maycomb. Therfore Maycomb was a poor town during the depression " there was nothing to buy and no money to buy it with". The story opens up with the two main characters Jem Finch and his little sister Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch. Scout is an itelligent, confident, thoughtful unusual little girl, who was best known was a tomboy. Scout's older brother Jem is a confident person who will take on any challenges given to him. At the beginning of the story scout and Jem were best of friends but as they got older they started separating from eacherother…

    • 249 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Religion Analysis
    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Religion Analysis

    In Harper Lees’, To Kill A Mockingbird, the community of Maycomb County is full of varied religious perspectives. Lee uses religion as framework for everything that happens in the community with examples that are both harmonious and conflicting. In doing so, religion has both a positive and negative impact. On one hand it can be interpreted as happiness, unity and charitable goodwill. On the other, it can be seen as the cause of hatred, violence and segregation. Atticus sets the moral standard for the town of Maycomb in a positive way. He shows conviction in doing what is right in the eyes of God, and stands up for what he believes in. He explains his reasons to defend Tom Robison to Scout with a religious message saying, “This case,…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Trial Analysis
    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Trial Analysis

    An accusation based off of circumstantial evidence, a charismatic witness, and a life-changing conviction were only a few of the elements that caused major tension in the courtroom on July 19th. If you’re one of the few that didn’t come out to hear the gossip material of the year, we have all the juicy and intriguing details.…

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics