I'd like to hear your thoughts on this book and I want to ask... is "killing of a mockingbird" a metaphor for the killing of innocent black people like Thomas Robinson?
2006-08-07 08:15:44 · 13 answers · asked by Adelphie 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
"When Scout and Jem receive airguns for Christmas, Atticus tells them that although he would prefer that they practice their shooting with tin cans, if they must shoot at living things, they must never shoot at mockingbirds. Atticus explains that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Clearly, this is the title scene, but the theme continues throughout the book. Miss Maudie explains why Atticus is correct – mockingbirds never do anyone any harm, and are not pests in any way. All they do is sing beautifully and live peacefully. Therefore, it is a sin to kill them. The mockingbird comes to represent true goodness and purity. Tom Robinson is one example of a human “mockingbird”. He stands accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, but is innocent of the charges. The town commits the ultimate sin by finding him guilty and sentencing him to death. In effect, they have killed a mockingbird. Boo Radley is another example of a human “mockingbird”. He has spent his entire life as a prisoner of his own home because his father was overzealous in punishing him for a childhood mistake. Boo Radley observes the world around him, causing no harm to anyone, and then saves Jem and Scout’s lives when Bob Ewell attacks. The sheriff determines that Ewell’s death will be ruled an accident to avoid forcing Boo to go to trial, even though Boo killed him to protect the children. Atticus agrees, and wants to make sure Scout understands why this little white lie must be told. She replies saying of course she understands, putting Boo on trial and in the public sphere would be like killing a mockingbird. The mockingbird represents true goodness and innocence that should always be protected. "
2006-08-07 08:27:04 · answer #1 · answered by hethbabe 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I haven't read the book, but my sister has. Killing a mockingbird is looked down upon because they are so innocent in what they do. In the book, the black man (Thomas Robinson?) is accused of raping a white girl. However, he is not guilty. Just like killing a mockingbird, Robinson is being put on trial for a crime he didn't commit. Do you see the connection? ~
2006-08-08 05:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by pinneapple_418 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To kill a Mockingbird highlights the different ways that people have dealt with each other. In the South a Black man killing a white man, for whatever reason was seldom tolerated, but a white man killing a black was not considered to be that big a deal. The book deals with these issues and is a metaphor for the killing of innocent Black people, but it goes further to illustrate how racism distorts rationality and justice.
2006-08-07 08:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mockingbird symbolizes innocence. Not just the killing of Thomas Robinson, but the loss of innocence in Scout that was also killed.
2006-08-07 08:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by MEL T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two "mockingbirds" in the story. It is a sin to kill mockingbird b/c they do no harm to humans. Therefore, it is a sin to kill Tom Robinson b/c he did not harm anyone. It would also be a sin to reveal Boo Radley's deed (saving Jem and Scout) to the rest of the town because he kills Bob Ewell while defending the children and the attention would destroy him.
Please note Heck Tate's unwillingness to speak out by telling all that he knows in Tom Robinson's defense but willingly lies to protect Boo Radley; he's a hypocrite.
2006-08-07 12:44:05 · answer #5 · answered by capples19 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not the black man. To kill a mockingbird means to not hurt Boo Radley, because remember the chapter where Atticus is telling Jem not to kill mockingbirds because all they do for us is make beautiful music? Well in the end when Boo saves Scout, Atticus tells his children to protect Boo and say he did nothing wrong, for it'd be like killing a mockingbird since for Scout's and Jem's entire lives he had been leaving them treasures inside the tree.
2006-08-07 08:24:19 · answer #6 · answered by Epitome 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a wonderful book. One of my all time favorites. The title refers to the senseless killing of an innocent creature, and therefore you are quite right to think of it as a metaphor for what happened to Tom Robinson, and so many other black people for no reason other than the color of their skins.
2006-08-07 08:24:12 · answer #7 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry i don't know the page numbers. but i do know the context of the reference. atticus finch was explaining to scout that mockingbirds do nothing but make music. they do no harm. that is why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. If you remember where in the book that is... hope this helps!!! god bless
2016-03-27 02:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by Sheryl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and turning in Boo Radley. Greatest book ever!
2006-08-07 08:30:42 · answer #9 · answered by Cody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"...but to remember, it was a sin to kill a mockingbird, I think that mockingbirds don't do anything but make music for us to enjoy, they don't eat peoples gardens, don't nest in the corncribs, they don't do one thing but just sing their hearts out for us."
That's from the movie....don't remember if it's verbatim from the book.
I think it has to do w/ not destroying innocent or beautiful things simply because you have the power to do so.
I love the movie AND the book!
2006-08-07 08:24:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋