Theme Of Sin In To Kill A Mockingbird

1251 Words6 Pages

Well-known book To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, centers on one main theme: It is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This theme on its own is not entirely literal, but it has a very important meaning that is developed throughout the book. Many events in the book bring the theme to light and unfolds more and more as the story progresses. At the start of the book, we are introduced to the main characters Scout and Jem. After a few chapters, they get air rifles for christmas. However, Atticus warns them against shooting mockingbirds, saying that it is a sin. The kids are somewhat confused about this statement. As a result, they consult their neighbor, Miss Maudie. “That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to …show more content…

His job is to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man who is being accused of raping Mayella, Bob Ewell’s daughter. Throughout the trial, it is clear that Tom is not guilty. There is a considerably large amount of evidence that Tom had done nothing wrong. Mayella was beaten on the right side of the face, but Tom’s left arm entirely is crippled. Mayella and Bob Ewell’s stories were inconsistent with many discrepancies in each. Tom merely happened to be at the scene at the wrong time, and was put on trial for his life unfairly because of his race. He had even come to Mayella’s aid multiple times, had his own family whom he cared for, and even had a job. Despite it being obvious that he had not committed any crime, the jury pleaded “guilty”. Tom was convicted, and days later he attempted to escape prison. “”Tom’s dead.” … “They shot him,” said Atticus. “He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them-” “Didn’t they try to stop them? Didn’t they give him any warning?” Aunt Alexandra’s voice shook. “Oh yes, the guards called to him to stop. They fired a few shots in the air, then to kill. … Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn’t have to shoot him that much” (315). Aside from convicting an …show more content…

He comes off as somewhat creepy and even monstrous. There are rumors among the town that Boo stabbed his father with scissors while cutting a newspaper once. This causes the main characters, 10-year old Jem and 6-year old Scout Finch, to fear him as well as pique their curiosity about what he looks like and how he acts. Throughout the beginning of the book, the children try to tempt Boo out of his house. They never succeed and, as it appears at the time, they will never get see him. However, his face is revealed for the first time after Jem and Scout return from a school pageant late at night. They are attacked by a drunk Bob Ewell, who plans on killing them. Despite this, they survive, thanks to an unknown man who saves them. This turns out to be Boo Radley. Even though he saved the children, he ended up killing Bob Ewell. Instead of Boo being put on trial, the sheriff, Mr. Heck Tate, decides that Bob’s cause of death would be that he fell on his knife and died. ““I never heard tell that it’s against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did, but maybe you’ll say it’s my duty to tell the town and not hush it up. Know what’d happen then? All the ladies in Maycomb includin’ my wife’d be knocking on his door bringing angel food cakes.l To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Fich, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a