It is a sin to kill a mockingbird as they don't do one thing but sing theirhearts out for us. However, there are many "mockingbirds" that are "killed" in, "To Kill a mockingbird, by Harper Lee." The title of this book (To Kill a Mockingbird) is very significant and can be applied to many characters. Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley are characters that can be strongly identified with the title.
First, Atticus Finch can be strongly applied to the title. Many citizens of Maycomb were very angry at him just because he was defending a black man, Tom Robinson. Kids at school were even calling him a "nigger lover." Cecil Jacobs says, "My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!" (Lee, pg76) Atticus is doing nothing more than doing his job and defending a Negro. Yet, Cecil's family, along with many others, are extremely upset with him. Also, Aunt Alexandria gives Atticus a tough time on how to raise his children even though he is doing a stellar job. Alexandria says, ."..you've got to do something about her. You've let things go on too long. I don't see any harm in letting her go out there. Cal'd look out after her there as well as she does here."(Lee, pg 136) Aunt Alexandria is demanding that Atticus fire Calpurnia because she is useless and a bad influence on the kids. Atticus disagrees, because he feels that Calpurnia is having a positive influence on his children. However, Aunt Alexandria still pursues the matter. Therefore, Atticus Finch has encountered many situations that reflect he title.
Next, Tom Robinson can be strongly applied to the title. All he did was help Mayella and he was falsely accused of rape. He was then convicted in court,simply because he was black and the jury was white. Jem says, "How could they do it, how could they? Atticus responds, "I don't know but they did it. They've done it before and hey did it again, and they'll do it again and when they do it - seems that only children weep." (Lee, pg 213) Jem in is disbelief because the jury convicted Tom of raping Mayella. It was obvious that Tom was innocent. Basically, he was convicted of beating and raping Mayella because he felt sorry for her. He was killed when he tried to escape. Atticus says, "Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn't have to shoot him that much." (Lee, pg 235) They could have just shot to wound him, but they were shooting to kill because he was black. A mockingbird was literally killed. Therefore, Tom Robinson has encountered many situations that reflect he title.
Finally, Boo Radley can be strongly applied to the title. He is innocent, harmless and a victim of false, negative rumors so he never leaves hishouse. Scout says, "An' they chased him `n' never could catch him `cause they didn't know what he looked like, an' Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things...Atticus, he was real nice...." Atticus responds, "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." (Lee, pg 281) Scout was in a sleepy state after she had seen Boo Radley for the first time and finally understood what kind of a personhe was. She compared the story Atticus had told her to Boo Radley's experience because of her previous encounter with him. This shows that Boo was a nice man and never did anything to hurt anyone (with the exception of Bob Ewell). I think Harper Lee demonstrated this very well using Scout's story. Also, Boo saved Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell's attack even though he was afraid of leaving his house. Scout says, "I thought Atticus had come to help us and had wore out-." Mr. Tate interrupts, "Who was it"" Scout responds, "Why there he is, Mr. Tate, he can tell you his name. Hey, Boo." (Lee, pg 270) Heck Tate asked Scout who had saved them and she pointed to Boo Radley. He risked his life for Scout and Jem. Boo also reflects the title, because he was trying to interact with Jem and Scout by generously giving them several items. However, his brother Nathan Radley kept him away from them. Jem says, "Mr. Radley, ah-did you put cement in that hole in that tree down yonder"" Mr. Radley says, "Yes, I filled it up. The tree's dying." (Lee, pg 62) When he asked Atticus if the tree was dying, Atticus said that it looks perfectly healthy. Boo Radley gave Jem and Scout a various amount of items in the hole in the tree. Nathan Radley didn't want him doing this so he blocked the hole with cement. This shows that Mr. Nathan Radley didn't want Boo Radley interacting with anyone in the outside world. Therefore, Boo Radley has encountered many situations that reflect he title.
The title of this book, "To Kill a Mockingbird", is very significant and can be applied to many characters. Atticus Finch can be strongly applied to the title because people criticize him just for defending Tom Robinson. Boo Radley can be applied to the title because he is a victim of stereotype. Tom Robinson can be very strongly applied to the title because he is a victim of racial prejudice. Therefore all of these characters encounter situations that reflect the title, "To Kill a Mockingbird." As Atticus says, "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit `em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
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