Question on To Kill A Mockingbird Test?

Question

Explain the title "To Kill A Mockingbird". Who are the characters who are like "mockingbirds"?

I had this question on a test, but did not recieve full marks, only partial marks. Can someone give an answer which you think would recieve full marks?

Thanks

Answer 1

I believe Tom Robinson and Boo are the mockingbirds of this story. Atticus explained to Scout that you would not kill a mockingbird because all they do is bring us beautiful song. (I might have been tempted to kill a couple that made their home in my yard because of their tendency to start singing and carrying on incessantly at 4:00 in the morning!)
Boo is harmless and only wished to do good, in his private world. The sheriff acknowledged Boo's "shy ways" and decided to call Mr. Ewell's death an accident because he knew the exposure of being a local hero would be traumatic for Arthur Radley.
Tom Robinson was an innocent black man who "had the unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white woman." It ultimately led to his death. BTW, Gregory Peck was in awe of Brock Peters' and Robert Duvall's portrayals of Tom and Boo, respectively.
I must confess, I never read the book. This is all based on the movie. The book might introduce some themes not included in the movie. It is one of my three favorite movies of all time.
I am disillusioned with some of the things I see going on in the schools, (I was a teacher for 27 years), but I am heartened that this story has come up several times in this forum. Glad to see school districts that recognize the value of TKaM. I hope teachers show the movie as well as require the reading.

Answer 2

Good answers have already been given. So I can only contribute a little (I hope useful) nitpicking.

1. Giving the Questioner a detailed answer is NOT cheating; the test is over and the marks (grades) received.

2. It's not a crime to kill a mockingbird; it's a SIN! And the point (see #3 at http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/quotes.html ) is that Atticus does NOT lightly declare anything a sin. Be sure to click the link below the quote. It leads to a short essay that might well have received full marks.

P.S. On very short acquaintance (met them this evening, from an Answer to a different Question), I heartily recommend SparkNotes. Please read their statement about "The Plagiarism Plague" at http://www.sparknotes.com/help/plagiarism.html . Full of good sense and sound advice.

Answer 3

Not going to give you a detailed answer'cos thats just cheating =)

The examples of the mockingbird within the novel are Tom and Boo. Tom was attacked by the entire white society in Maycomb County. These attacks and accusations destroyed his innocent, respectable life.
Arthur "Boo" Radley was also an innocent victimto the taunts and of the people of the county. Because of their aversion to
his life they separated him from any chance of leading a normal life.

[The mockingbird is innocent and only sings for you.] Tom & Boo are obviously innocent.
[ It is therefore wrong to kill it. ] Tom gets wrongly killed at the end.

Answer 4

In the book, it is said that it's crime to kill a mockingbird, because the mockingbird doesn't cause you any harm, it just sings. Boo Radley is the mockingbird. He never hurts anyone, he's simply there, and everyone thinks he's some horrible monster and pull pranks on him to show their "bravery" when he doesn't deserve such treatment.

Answer 5

Explain the title: Why kill a mockingbird which does nothing to you but provide pretty song?

characters: The black guy (cant remember his name as it has been several years) and Boo.

my opionions....I am not a professor or ready to grade an exam

Answer 6

All the above answers are true, but Scout's brother is also a "mockingbird".

Answer 7

i read it tooo long ago! Sirry.

Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_Lee#To_Kill_a_Mockingbird_details

that should answer some of your questions (I think I hope)

Answer 9

it is all here

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/