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To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes

Decent Essays

At the beginning of the book when Scout and Jem get their new air rifles Atticus says-“I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, 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." Later on when Scout and Jem are at Mrs. Maudie’s house she explains to them that it is a sin to kill mockingbirds because they are songbirds that do nothing but give pleasure to people. The mockingbirds are the innocent people in the novel who are killed or injured. The title TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD foreshadows that the mockingbirds in the story are killed or injured by the evil behavior of mankind.
-The main mockingbird in the story is Tom Robinson. This is because he had been prejudicially accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom displayed compassion to Mayella by assisting her numerous times. According to Tom, Mayella always looked lonely in her home. To placate her sadness, he decided to help her by moving and …show more content…

Boo is an undeserving victim of humanity's prejudice. He is referred to as a mockingbird because of his innocence. This can be seen when he leaves gifts for Jem and Scout. It's the only form of contact he has with the outside world. Boo (Arthur Radley) is actually a very shy character who is often misjudged by society including Jem and Scout. Boo Radley is also considered a mockingbird because Boo saves the children's lives. He killed Bob Ewell to protect the kids. Atticus wanted the truth told but the sheriff insisted that Boo didn't do anything. Scout understood that and said that it'd be like shooting a mockingbird. It's because Boo only sought to protect those children and having him arrested is a sin as the metaphor suggests. Ironically, watching the injustice that Tom suffers helps the children understand why Boo may choose to be a recluse: "it's because he wants to stay

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