Why do u think Harper Lee called her novel To Kill A Mockingbird?

Question

i need like 3 reasons.. im preparing for an essay for an exam..

Answer 1

The title of To Kill a Mockingbird has very little literal connection to the plot, but it carries a great deal of symbolic weight in the book. In this story of innocents destroyed by evil, the “mockingbird” comes to represent the idea of innocence. Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, a number of characters (Jem, Tom Robinson, Dill, Boo Radley, Mr. Raymond) can be identified as mockingbirds—innocents who have been injured or destroyed through contact with evil. This connection between the novel’s title and its main theme is made explicit several times in the novel: after Tom Robinson is shot, Mr. Underwood compares his death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds,” and at the end of the book Scout thinks that hurting Boo Radley would be like “shootin’ a mockingbird.” Most important, Miss Maudie explains to Scout: “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but . . . sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That Jem and Scout’s last name is Finch (another type of small bird) indicates that they are particularly vulnerable in the racist world of Maycomb, which often treats the fragile innocence of childhood harshly.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/themes.html


___________________

The Mockingbird in the story is clearly a symbol. So think about the concept of what it means in that context. If it is a symbol for innocence as described by spark notes, then what is the significance of the title "to kill a mockingbird' or to kill innocence...
The story is of coming to age and learning the hard lessons in life about reacism and cruelty.....

I hope that helps!

Answer 2

Because Tom Robinson is prosecuted for what he is despite the fact he has done absolutely nothing wrong, in fact he's gone out of his way to help those whites who prosecuted him. i.e, he helped Miss Mayella Ewell with chores refusing payment. A Mockingbird is just like this, they sing their hearts out for the world and yet the are shot because of what they are having done nothing wrong, they go out of their way to make music yet they are put down. Additionally, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a term used many times throughout the novel. Therefor as a title with meaning and background it makes an appropriate name for a book. There's a lot of depth in it, one of the greatest things about it is when you read the title before reading the novel you have no idea... and then by the time you've finished the novel it's meaning catch's your interest. Good question though...

Answer 3

Read the book. Atticus tells Scout why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Most novels take the title directly from the book.

Answer 4

In the book, it tells you quite specifically. Killing a mockingbird is "a sin", in the novel, the trial and conviction of Tom Robinson is like "killing a mockingbird". Later, Scout protects Boo radley from being exposed to his neighbors, becasue it would be sort of "like shooting a mickingbird". I won't tell you much more, but the answers are in th ebook. Read it carefully!

Answer 5

The first thing that came to mind is the fact that this kind of bird is a mimicker. I don't know how to work that in, but that was my first thought.



SECOND post
Wow, has it been that long since I read that book? LOL! I think it was the 8th or 9th grade? Yep, I am old:-)