FREE ESSAY ON TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

To Kill A Mockingbird CE
In 'To Kill a Mockinbird' by Harper Lee, I believe that the title of the novel was very
significant. It is significant due to the fact that the word 'Mockingbird' was symbolic
for the innocence, security and happiness in the novel.
The Mockingbird is a symbol for innocence as it does not harm anyone. This is exposed in
the novel when Scout is about to shoot the Mockingbird and Atticus halts him.
It is also a symbol for security and happiness. In the novel, when the mockingbird is
singing everything is okay and everyone is happy. When it is not singing it is
significant. The atmosphere is tense. Two examples of this from the novel are the rabid
dog in the street (Part 1) and the court case (Part 2)
In the novel some of the characters are like mockingbirds. Tom Robinson was one of these
characters as he was an innocent figure, he didn't harm anyone and he didn't hurt
Mayella. Tom Robinson also brings in the theme of prejudice as he is black and he is
treated differently to everyone else. Another character that is like a mockingbird was
Boo Radley, he was also innocent, he didn't harm anyone and he saved Scout & Jem near the
end of the novel. Boo Radley also had to be protected like a Mockingbird (because he
didn't harm anyone).
The entire title in the novel means 'To Destroy Innocence'. At the end of the novel Scout
realises that Tom Robinson is a 'Mockingbird' and she says it'd be sort of like killing a
mockingbird.