To Kill a Mockingbird Critical

The Mockingbird has a very deep and powerful meaning in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. In general, it represents peacefulness, innocence and kindness. Characters such as Boo Radely can be compared to the mockingbird in the title of the novel. Tom Robinson can also be compared to the mockingbird. Yet, the mockingbird’s influence does not end there. For it can also be applied to relationship between human beings. Thus, the Mockingbird is a powerful symbol that echoes a strong meaning throughout the book.

Boo Radely, can be compared to the mockingbird in the title of the novel. It is made clear in chapter 10 when Atticus and Miss Maudie explain that you should never kill a mockingbird because all it does is sing beautiful songs and never hurts anyone. Thus, Boo Radely is like a mockingbird as he never hurts anyone and primarily keeps to himself. Yet, the title is To Kill A Mockingbird and the townsfolk “kill” Boo Radley by persecuting and ridiculing him in society simply because he is shy and does not come out of his house. Also, in the end, Scout says that it would be wrong to put Boo Radley on trial for killing Bob Ewell because he did it in order to protect her and Jem. Furthermore, Scout sees that things look the same from Boo Radley’s porch as they do from her’s. Therefore, Boo Radley is a perfect example of a mockingbird and the situation he is in is a perfect example of the title of the book.

Tom Robinson is another character won can be compared with the mockingbird. He was a genuinely kind person who in the end is destroyed by his willingness to help Mayella Ewell. Just like a mockingbird, Robinson never hurt anyone. Yet, he was also persecuted by society for his kindness and his race. Tom Robinson is a mockingbird figure in the book. In the end, Mr. Underwood also compares a harmless songbird that was shot down by a senseless hunter. Thus, Tom Robinson was killed because of his kindness and the color of his skin.

The mockingbird also extends to relationships between human beings. Some people are kind and would never harm anyone, like a mockingbird. Yet, there are people who unjustly see past the kindness and simply see what they want to see. This leads to issues about race and sex among others. These people than become prejudice towards certain people. Also, they may even “kill” the people who are genuinely kind human beings simply because they are different. Thus, the mockingbird illustrates prejudice relationships among human beings.

In, conclusion, the mocking represents peace, innocence and kindness. Boo Radely is a mockingbird figure because he was a kind person, yet he was persecuted by society for being shy and coming out of his house. Tom Robinson was another mockingbird figure because he was wanted to help Mayella Ewell. He wanted to do so because he was a kind person, yet he was destroyed by his kindness. Also, relationships among human beings can be compared to a mockingbird as some people are kind and peaceful while others are prejudice towards them because they are different. These people see past the good traits of people. In general, the title illustrates that the prejudice that some people have towards others who are peaceful and kind is wrong. Those people are “killing a mockingbird,” it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.