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Post by miasells on Jul 6, 2016 21:19:32 GMT
According to Harper Lee's novel, mockingbirds are the world's most innocent creatures. They do nothing to hurt us and they simply mind their own. Therefore, killing such a creature is destroying innocence. In chapter 10, Jem is learning to shoot with his air rifle. Atticus says, "Shoot all the blue jays if you want, if you can hit em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." Later in chapter 10, Ms. Maudie explains why it is such a sin, "They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." Harper Lee's message to all readers in this literary work, is to reflect among the innocence of ourselves and correlate it to the racisms and discriminations in the book. Without a doubt, Atticus is the only role model of the book who stands up for what he believes in. Atticus’ dedication to Tom Robinson is a great challenge, especially when it feels like the whole town is turning against you. It is clear to see that this kind of pressure brings out the best of Atticus. Harper Lee wants all people to defend the rights of all other citizens. It is our true responsibility to be like a mockingbird who is righteous, moral, honorable, and fair.
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Post by kaylagarcia on Jul 7, 2016 4:16:48 GMT
I agree with the analysis of the mockingbird however, would like to expand on the symbolism. Lee's purpose in including the mockingbird was not just simply about the birds themselves. Arthur (Boo) Radley served as a mockingbird throughout the story and Scout's life. Boo presents a powerful symbol of morality, as he left small gifts for Jem and Scout, and always appeared at the most appropriate moment to help the children. His generous efforts often went unnoticed to Scout, "'Thank who?', I asked. 'Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't notice it when he put the blanket around you'" (Lee 96).
Boo was an intelligent child who suffered emotional abuse from his father. He provides an example of the impact of evil on innocence and morality. As one of the book's "mockingbirds," he proves to be a good man harmed by the cruelness of mankind at this time.
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Post by patricia on Jul 16, 2016 0:39:10 GMT
Again I would like to expand on the symbolism. Atticus could be possibly referring to all people should treat all people like mockingbirds so we do not have problems of race/hate/sexism.
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Post by emorydantzler on Jul 23, 2016 6:03:17 GMT
I also agree with you, the mockingbird does represent an innocent creature, and to kill a mockingbird is destroying innocence. Many characters can be identified as mockingbirds such as Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.They are all innocents who have been destroyed through the contact of evil, many people were against them and they had limited rights. For example Tom Robinson never did any harm his only intention was to help and he was a hard working man, and he was then targeted and why? Not because of his character because people knew he worked hard he was targeted because of his appearance. Tom was innocent and yet the whole town was against him.
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Post by ryleabaumberger on Aug 2, 2016 22:06:15 GMT
I think as citizens, it is our duty to be nice, honest, and respectful of others around us, but I do not think that Harper Lee is meaning to have the mockingbird resemble only Atticus, but also Boo Radley. When they bring up that they do not mind, or hurt people, and that they are innocent, that reminds me of how Boo Radley just keeps to himself. He was never known to talk to anybody, be seen by others, or even when he was, he did not cause drama. Boo was very peaceful, but because of that, lots of rumors were spread about him. Everybody knew he was alive because of how he left presents in the tree for the two kids, put the blanket around Scout during the house fire, and nobody had seen him being carried out in a casket. He helped save the kids lives, and did have an impact on them even before they knew it. He was a very strong symbol of what the mockingbird resembles because of how they stay in the background and do not cause any trouble or harm to others.
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Post by shanarabrinkman on Aug 3, 2016 16:52:44 GMT
I think this symbolism is also trying to show us that everyone has flaws and makes mistakes, like the blue jays, but not everyone is that same, some are sweet and kind hearted and have not intentions of hurting anyone or anything, the mockingbirds, so we have to forgive and forget if we are hurt and we have to cherish the kind hearted.
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beau
New Member
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Post by beau on Aug 8, 2016 23:19:45 GMT
I agree with the symbol of the mockingbird. Atticus says it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. They are innocent and beautiful and all they do is sing their hearts out. This also symbolizes how when the town makes assumptions and discriminates against Tom and Boo, they are actually sweet innocent people, but the judging cause normal peoples views to change drastically.
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Post by isabellalyda on Aug 9, 2016 2:48:05 GMT
I agree with what everyone is saying. Tom and Boo served as the mockingbirds in the novel because they are innocent and only bring good to the world. In an indirect way, the Ewells "killed a mockingbird" by accusing Tom Robinson of rape. Doing all he could do to defend the innocent man, Atticus worked to get him at least more time, if not prove his innocence. If Atticus decided to protect his reputation instead of trying to defend Tom, he would also be indirectly "killing a mockingbird."
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Post by sheaward101 on Aug 10, 2016 6:00:01 GMT
I agree with your opinion of what the Mockingbird really is, however it is not our duty to be Mockingbirds. In my opinion, it is our duty to be decent human beings. A decent human begin helps those in need, gives without expecting anything in return, smiles, and over all acts kind to those around them. Mockingbirds are viewed as perfect, and all of us shouldn't feel like we need to be perfect.
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Post by jesselcrum on Aug 11, 2016 17:28:23 GMT
I agree with your definition of the Mockingbird and how Atticus is the role model of the book but they don't coincide with one another. Atticus did stand up for what he believed in and fought for the rights of another man and that does make him righteous, honorable, moral, and fair but it isn't his duty or responsibility to do so. Agreeing with Shea, we can't aim for being perfect which is how the Mockingbird is perceived. We just have to do our best to do what we know is morally right, which is what Atticus did.
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Post by miasells on Aug 12, 2016 3:58:55 GMT
In reply to sheaward101 and jesselcrum, you are right it is not our duty to be mockingbirds. In To Kill a Mockingbird, wouldn't you agree that mockingbirds are not viewed as perfect, in so much as they are viewed righteous and honorable birds of society? I believe that Harper Lee doesn't want us to be perfect, nobody's perfect. However, Harper Lee does want us to be righteous and honorable like mockingbirds.
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Post by rahamwa7236 on Aug 14, 2016 7:35:41 GMT
I agree with what you said about that killing a mockingbird is killing innocence. I also like that you included that part from the book about that mockingbirds are only pleasant to people and that they have done nothing wrong. Tom Robinson is compared to a mockingbird in the novel and this might show that he really was innocent and a good person.
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Post by shaunamackay on Aug 14, 2016 7:51:47 GMT
I agree with most of what you said, but I am going to add onto one thing. You stated that Atticus was for sure the only role model who stood up for what he believed in, but I don't think he was the only one. Scout stood up for what she believed in by fighting (not the best way, but still a way), and even though that may not seem like a role model activity to you, I admire her for standing up for her dad, even if it wasn't in the most cordial way. Most little girls would just start crying and not do anything about it, but at least little Scout gave the bullies a run for their money and gave them what they deserved.
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Post by evankinney on Aug 14, 2016 20:41:51 GMT
This Mockingbird symbolism could be displayed in Atticus' Tom Robinson case. Atticus, signifying a mockingbird himself, is shot at by those opposed to his case. I guess the message for the majority of the town then would be to never kill the mockingbird.
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Post by isabellajanney on Aug 17, 2016 20:11:24 GMT
I agree and want to add two instances in the book where mockingbirds were referred to. In the middle of the book, Mr. Underwood "likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children." And, towards the end of the book, after Jem and Scout had been attacked and Mr. Ewell was found dead, Mr. Tate the sheriff insisted that he had fallen on his own knife and that Boo Radley need not be given credit for saving the Finch children. Even though she was young, Scout understood why he said this, because Boo Radley didn't want the attention, and calling him out would be cruel: "well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"
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