How To Kill A Mockingbird Lyla Character Analysis

There are some people who fit the definition of a mockingbird as defined in the book How to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My little sister Lyla is someone in my life who at only nine years old shows all the characteristics of being a mockingbird. One of the main traits possessed by mockingbirds is the desire to help others. Lyla displays this trait everyday by helping around the house with chores and yard work that aren’t her responsibility. One time she did all of my chores for me, just to take away some of the stress I had that day. She also comforts anyone, whether she likes them or not, if they’re feeling lonely, sad, or sick, with a friendly smile and some witty jokes. A few years ago a shy kid in her grade was crying because he was overwhelmed with meeting new people and was sitting alone on the swing set. Lyla went over to him and spent about an hour with him until he was smiling and laughing again. Most importantly, though, Lyla is a defender of those in need. When she was in kindergarten, she stood up for a classmate who was being bullied for his small size, and furthermore befriended …show more content…
One time a few years ago, I was with Lyla and another girl at a school playground. The girl started teasing Lyla by asking if she “was adopted from a pet store or something,” and laughing hysterically. I could feel Lyla start to tense up beside me, and I knew this was a time when I had an opportunity to protect my mockingbird. I told the girl that no, she wasn’t adopted from a pet shop, and that she shouldn’t pick on others who have done nothing to hurt her. Other times I’m not there when Lyla gets picked on, but I feel like it’s my responsibility to comfort her and make her feel loved. Whenever I see that she’s upset, I always talk to her and try to make her smile, and once I even gave her one of my old stuffed animals because I knew it would cheer her up