To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

By Kayla Felker

In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus says that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. This quote sums up the heart of the book. A mockingbird is a harmless bird that makes the world more pleasant with its song. In this novel, the mockingbird symbolizes Boo Radley and Tom Robinson who were both nice and never did any harm. To kill or harm then would be sin.

Chopping wood and doing whatever he could for Mayella Ewell was Tom’s only crime. Tom risked his own safety by helping Mayella, and he did it because someone needed him. Tom never armed a soul. It was like a mockingbird being shot down when Tom was accused of raping Mayella.

Tom Robinson was tried and convicted of this alleged crime. He was sent to prison. Tom though he had no hope left so he tried to escape from prison. He was shot and killed. In the moment that Mayella accused him, this mockingbird was a dead man.

Boo Radley was a fragile and gentle person. Boo went through life not wanting to hurt a fly. He left gum, dolls, and pennies for Scout and Jem. Boo sewed up Jem’s pants for him. He also saved Scout and Jem’s lives while risking his own. To send him to jail would be like killing a mockingbird.

A mockingbird is killed in the story and the readers will see how much of a sin it was. We see a misunderstood man return kindness for torment. Radley’s and Robinson’s parts n the story bring power to it. I believe that Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are the mockingbirds in the book.