What do you consider to be a major theme of the novel? There are many themes in To Kill A Mockingbird; I believe that one of the major themes is the portrayal of mockingbirds. When Scout and Jem receive airguns for Christmas, Atticus tells them that although he would prefer that they practise their shooting with tin cans, if they must shoot at living things, they must never shoot a mockingbird. Atticus then explains that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This quotation reflects the title of the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and the theme also continues throughout the book.
Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. "(p.69) The mockingbird symbolizes these two characters because it does not have its own song. Whereas, the blue jay is loud and obnoxious, the mockingbird only sings other birds' songs. Therefore, the mockingbird is seen through the other birds. The people of Maycomb only knew Boo Radley and Tom Robinson by what others said about them.
The meaning of killing a mockingbird, how it represents Tom Robinson and how it represents Boo Radley. To kill a mockingbird means to kill something innocent, something pure, something that does no harm to anyone. Mockingbirds do nothing but make music for people to enjoy that is why “it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (pg.90) In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” Tom Robinson is one of the characters who represent the mockingbird. He is a lot like the mockingbird because he did nothing but try to help Mayella Ewell who is the daughter of Bob Ewell. Tom Robinson was blamed for raping Mayella Ewell because her father has caught her kissing a black man, Tom Robinson, and at that time it was unacceptable to do so.
Atticus Finch is ridiculed by the townspeople for being a moral human being and sticking to his beliefs in defending an innocent colored man. As explained by Lee through her characters Tom Robinson, Boo Radley and Atticus Finch, the mockingbird is a symbolic representation of innocence, purity and virtue. To begin, the community of Maycomb basically indirectly murdered Tom Robinson. Despite the fact the man was helpful and kind - especially toward Mayella, who charged him of raping her - Tom was sent to trial and then found guilty even after Atticus Finch had verified his guiltlessness. His responsibility was all based on the color of his skin, not his true moral character.
Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children…” (241). Tom’s comparison to a song or mockingbird was best conveyed in the novel by the previous quote, which refers back to Atticus’s earlier quote. Atticus’s quote is best clarified by Miss Maudie, who states that mockingbirds not only have no detriment to people, that they create music for people (a benefit). Tom Robinson died a mockingbird because not only did he not
The symbolism behind this line applies to many scenes within the novel. The literal meaning for it is “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”(103). This is symbolic of Tom Robinson, his trial, conviction and death. It is symbolic for the simple fact that Tom Robinson is just an innocent man trying to live his life.
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.
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
A. summarize what he does for Mayella 1. Offers to cut up the chiffarobe for free and why he does it for her a. find quote where Tom says he felt sorry for her (#). Conclude paragraph with how appalling it is that he couldn't feel sorry for her III. Briefly describe who Boo Radley is and how he turned out to be good A. summarize how and why he saves the children 1. describe scene that leads up to Boo patting Jem's head a. find quote where she describes how Boo pats his head (#). Conclude with the sheriff's quote about how it would be a sin to put Boo on trial Conclusion: Write about the lessons
As the famous saying says “Assumed guilty until proven innocent”, this is the case for Boo Radley. Nobody really knew Boo but everyone judged him and said bad stuff about him just because he was different. Mr. Ewell tries to kill Scout and Jem near the end of the book. He breaks Jem’s arm but then Boo Killed Mr. Ewell and saved Scout and Jem’s life. "Atticus was right.