Though the title of “To Kill a Mockingbird” has very little literal connection to the plot, it carries a great deal of symbolic weight in the book. It’s safe to say the largest and most important symbol in this novel is in fact the mockingbird. It is Atticus who first introduces the topic when saying “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em. But remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Then, Miss Maudie further influences the concept by telling Scout, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Because this story is essentially a tale of the loss of innocence to evil, killing a mockingbird means to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, several characters …show more content…
Boo starts out as someone to be feared, but yet a source of raging curiosity in the kid’s minds. Throughout the novel, Boo becomes closer and closer to Scout and Jem and they establish somewhat of an unspoken friendship. By the end of the novel, he becomes fully human to Scout, illustrating that she has developed into a sympathetic and understanding individual. Boo, an intelligent child ruined by a cruel father, is one of the book’s most important mockingbirds; he is also an important symbol of the good that exists within people. When he saves the lives of Scout and Jem, and Heck Tate insists that Bob Ewell fell on his knife, Scout demonstrates her full understanding of the sin killing a mockingbird is by comparing Boo to a mockingbird. Boo Radley never hurt a soul, and only looked out for others. So exposing him to the public and putting him through the trouble of dealing with the press after being in solidarity for so many years, would be a sin. The symbolism of the mockingbird in this novel is apparent throughout the entire story, and really intensifies the theme of innocence and its