Thematic Significance Of The Title 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

Skylar Cappiello

Ms. Kelly

10 Honors English

29 October 2015

Thematic Significance of the title To Kill A Mockingbird

The title of the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, brings much meaning to the storyline starting when Atticus Finch gives his children important advice, "Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee). The mockingbird in the title represents characters of the novel that are harmed in multiple ways, regardless of the fact that they do no harm. Most mockingbirds are classified as characters who are misunderstood or who live a difficult life due to social problems. In the novel, the “mockingbirds” are considered to be Arthur Radley (Boo), Tom Robinson,

He is a victim of loneliness due to living a depressing, distressed life. Boo is subjected to a life of loneliness by his inability to leave his own house. The town often turns their back on him and has little to no understanding of him. Boo is seen as a monster-like figure to the children and those who do not understand him. A young Scout exclaims, “I reeled around to face Boo Radley and his bloody fangs...” (Lee). Maycomb antagonizes him into feeling lonelier than he already is. He has no one to talk to and no friends. His lack of friends is due to the amount of judging he receives from the town. When he was younger, Boo was involved in an incident that resulted in Mr. Radley, his father, forcing him to stay inside the house. Because of this, Boo is not able to bother any citizens in the town and is subjected to a lifetime of

Even though Mayella causes the death of an innocent man, she is a mockingbird because of abuse and the fact that she is a victim of her environment. When she is on the witness stand, we see that she is being pressured to make up this lie about Tom Robinson by her father, and must go along with is because she fears him greatly. Readers get a chance to see this once she is on the stand. Atticus questions Mayella, “Did you scream first at your father instead of at Tom Robinson?"(Lee). Mayella is often not seen as a mockingbird due to the fact that she is lying and accusing an innocent man, leading to his death. Mockingbirds are supposed to be characters that do not cause harm to others but are harmed anyway. For this reason, it is understandable how someone would not consider Mayella a mockingbird. On the other hand, Mayella has a very troubled life. She and her family can be seen as victims of poverty. Even with the financial situation she has, Mayella tries to make the best out of what she is given. In certain situations, Mayella can be seen as a stronger individual because of the abuse she is put