What does the mockingbird symbolize in To Kill A Mockingbird?

Answer 1

A mockingbird is a harmless bird that makes the world more pleasant. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, who were both peaceful people who never did any harm. To kill or harm them would be a sin. Scout's father, Atticus, tells Scout and Jem, "I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."(p.69)

Answer 2

This is long I'm sorry. I got it from www.sparknotes.com
Mockingbirds
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.

Answer 3

The mockingbird symbolizes innocence. So to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence.

Answer 4

the mockingbird symbolizes all the ppl wrongly accused or persecuted

the mockingbird is harmless, but it's not a pretty bird. yet its songs are beautiful. many times, ppl do not notice their inner beauty, and judge them by their appearance.

the same goes for those in are society who are "different" (in teh book: boo radly, tom robinson, the black population) they never did anything bad. they are simply trying to live their lives and try to put their share in making the world a better place.

Answer 5

A Mocking Bird is Innocent and harmless and it is a sin to kill something like that.

Answer 6

it symbolizes the man who is gettin tried for murder. he didnt do anything but the dude is black so people are like oh he must have done it.

a mockingbird doesnt do anything except sings but its black and people dont think its as beautiful as other birds so they have kinda like a stereotype about it.

Answer 7

Innocence and helplessness