In one chapter, Atticus tells the children that they can shoot as much blue jays they want. However, they are not allowed to shoot mockingbirds. A mockingbird does not harm any other creature. A mockingbird merely sing melodies that give pleasure to its listeners. As Miss Maudie states, “They don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.” In the book, there is a loss of innocence. The title to kill a mockingbird pertains to this loss. Innocence is symbolized by the mockingbird. To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. As the story progresses, there are a series of mockingbirds which are destroyed by the evils of the world.
This theme is recurrent through the whole book and can be seen in different characters. Arthur Radley’s innocence is destroyed by his father who pushed him in nonexistence, a malignant phantom. Tom Robinson’s innocence was destroyed at the hands of white supremacists who are quick to condemn a black man, even at the face of evidence that says otherwise. Jem’s innocence is destroyed by the knowledge that the people he knew and once viewed as good, could do something so vile– to lead an innocent man, Tom Robinson, to his death. This greatly affects Jem especially as it happens in a time where he is in his stage of development. His beliefs and trust in justice is greatly shaken, which leads him in a state of denial, …show more content…
Many times, we read about Jem telling Scout that she was acting like a girl which is why she is sometimes excluded by Jem and Dill. Scout is also strongly against acting like the common women found during that time. She also did not hold most of the women in her town in high regard. Calpurnia and Miss Maudie are perhaps the only female figures that she looked up to, both being independent and strong-willed. She was also influenced by Mayella who led Tom Robinson to his death to hide her own desire and Aunt Alexandra who teaches her to stand tall even in the midst of a
This theme is recurrent through the whole book and can be seen in different characters. Arthur Radley’s innocence is destroyed by his father who pushed him in nonexistence, a malignant phantom. Tom Robinson’s innocence was destroyed at the hands of white supremacists who are quick to condemn a black man, even at the face of evidence that says otherwise. Jem’s innocence is destroyed by the knowledge that the people he knew and once viewed as good, could do something so vile– to lead an innocent man, Tom Robinson, to his death. This greatly affects Jem especially as it happens in a time where he is in his stage of development. His beliefs and trust in justice is greatly shaken, which leads him in a state of denial, …show more content…
Many times, we read about Jem telling Scout that she was acting like a girl which is why she is sometimes excluded by Jem and Dill. Scout is also strongly against acting like the common women found during that time. She also did not hold most of the women in her town in high regard. Calpurnia and Miss Maudie are perhaps the only female figures that she looked up to, both being independent and strong-willed. She was also influenced by Mayella who led Tom Robinson to his death to hide her own desire and Aunt Alexandra who teaches her to stand tall even in the midst of a