Killing Mockingbirds Softly
Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic story of racial prejudice, morality, compassion and forgiveness. So why not name it something like We Are All Equal or There is a Brotherhood of Man or Why You Shouldn't Judge African Americans Differently than Caucasians?
Lee decided to go a more intriguing path, and employ metaphor. It might be tough to figure out why Lee chose her title merely just from the "To Kill a Mockingbird" summary alone. However, there are some "To Kill a Mockingbird" quotes that offer further a little more information. This allows the reader to gain some insight into what the title really means, and why Lee felt it was the most fitting way of expressing the overall idea of her book.
"Atticus said to Jem one day, "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 sin to kill a mockingbird."
That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
"Your father's right," she said. "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." (10.7)
What this passage seems to be saying is that it is a sin to kill something that is innocent. Atticus can be pretty sure those tin cans haven't been going around town on a shooting spree, so they are okay. Mockingbirds, on the other hand, are sweet little things that deserve to be able to go about their business and make their sweet music without having to worry about catching a round of birdshot in the back of the head.
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. "Yes sir, I understand," I reassured him. "Mr. Tate was right."
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (30.66-68)
The above quote referred to Boo Radley not being dragged into court unnecessarily. Boo is equated to the mockingbird, in that all he does is mind his own business, brightening the lives of those around him.
Now if asked how Harper Lee came up with the title of her book, you'll know the answer. Considering what the mockingbird really stands for, it actually makes a lot of sense that she might choose to let them symbolize the plight of the innocent.
Lee decided to go a more intriguing path, and employ metaphor. It might be tough to figure out why Lee chose her title merely just from the "To Kill a Mockingbird" summary alone. However, there are some "To Kill a Mockingbird" quotes that offer further a little more information. This allows the reader to gain some insight into what the title really means, and why Lee felt it was the most fitting way of expressing the overall idea of her book.
"Atticus said to Jem one day, "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 sin to kill a mockingbird."
That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
"Your father's right," she said. "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." (10.7)
What this passage seems to be saying is that it is a sin to kill something that is innocent. Atticus can be pretty sure those tin cans haven't been going around town on a shooting spree, so they are okay. Mockingbirds, on the other hand, are sweet little things that deserve to be able to go about their business and make their sweet music without having to worry about catching a round of birdshot in the back of the head.
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. "Yes sir, I understand," I reassured him. "Mr. Tate was right."
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (30.66-68)
The above quote referred to Boo Radley not being dragged into court unnecessarily. Boo is equated to the mockingbird, in that all he does is mind his own business, brightening the lives of those around him.
Now if asked how Harper Lee came up with the title of her book, you'll know the answer. Considering what the mockingbird really stands for, it actually makes a lot of sense that she might choose to let them symbolize the plight of the innocent.
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