To Kill a Mockingbird

As I continue to read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I have found many themes that consult with racial prejudice and other issues that were present during the time the book was written. As I was reading I thought about the title of the book and how it was connected to the story and the characters. I then thought of a theme that makes the book much more exciting and interesting to read.

One day, Scout and Jem decided to use their rifles on birds. Their father, Atticus, said that they could shoot all the Blue jays they wanted, but it would be a sin if they were "To Kill a Mockingbird." I think that the mockingbird in this book symbolizes innocence. Therefore, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is to kill, or destroy innocence. In the book we can see that many characters represent mockingbirds, and how their innocence is taken away from them. For example, Tom, an African American accused of raping a white woman is tried at court. Because of the all white jury, Tom is found guilty, even though he was wrongfully convicted. We can also see this in Scout and Jem. After coming back from her school play, they are attacked but are fortunately saved by Boo, their neighbor. All in all, many people are "killed" as they are a result of a sin, a sin that is "To Kill a Mockingbird."