"Harper Lee wants to tell us that it takes courage NOT to kill a mockingbird"
Essay, January 2018
One might ask oneself why Harper Lee chose a mockingbird, a rather unspectacular and common bird living all around the globe, as the most important symbol in her book "To kill a Mockingbird".
The mockingbird is introduced during supper at the Finch 's house when Atticus tells his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains this as follows: "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except 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.”
Thus the mockingbird is the metaphor for a living being that is selfless, that does no harm to anybody and even goes out of his way to bring pleasure to others. It is nonintrusive and doesn’t seek attention but does his good deeds for the pleasure of being good.
Now we ask ourselves why would anyone want to kill such a creature with such outstanding characteristics. And why would it require courage not to kill it?
Harper Lee chose her mockingbirds carefully and draws us into the
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To defend a Negro in this situation takes courage. Atticus abides by the trust and duty given to his role and does everything to bring the evidence of Tom 's innocence in front of the jurors. He questions the truthfulness of Bob Ewell 's statements even though he as a white man is accusing a black man. Atticus shows that a man shall be judged by his deeds and not by his colour or social status and risks the community 's furore, insults and threats. He is insulted of being a Nigger-lover by adults, children and even by his own family. Atticus stands by his beliefs in the face of public pressure and even physical attacks. He values decency, honesty, and integrity more than the esteem of the society he lives