To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

In the story, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the author includes a significant moment where Miss Maudie explains the meaning of why it is a ‘sin to kill a mockingbird’. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.” The characters Boo Radley and Tom Robinson represent a mockingbird throughout the book. This is because in the book these characters do nothing to affect others negatively; however, people still shame and harm them. Both characters show plenty of examples of being misjudged throughout the book. To begin, Boo Radley represents a mockingbird because he is innocent, kind, and does not harm anyone. Boo is misunderstood by society and is constantly a rumor in town, even though he does not do anything to affect

On page 242 the book states, “We knew Boo was there, for the same old reason nobody’d seen him carried out yet” (Lee 242). This shows that Boo Radley still had not left his home, meaning he had no harmful effect on the others in Maycomb. On the other hand, Tom Robinson also represents a mockingbird in the book. This is because he is an innocent and respectful character who is unfairly targeted and accused by society. This false accusation and unfortunate fate directly parallels the explanation for killing a mockingbird. It is understood that before the case Tom Robinson was trying to help and save Mayella, and he rather got convicted for the opposite just because of who he is and the place he holds in society. On page 241 the text states, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth” (Lee 241). This shows that Tom Robinson wouldn't have been able to save himself and defend his case simply because of who he was. People assumed before the case had even begun that he was guilty just because of his race, they didn't take time to consider his intentions and morals. The lesson that the metaphorical mockingbird conveys is don't bring someone down if they are doing nothing