To Kill A Mockingbird theme question.?

Question

When Atticus gives Jem and Scout air-rifles, he tells them: "shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

Why does Atticus feel this way?

Thy do you think Lee chose this phrase for her title?

Thanks for the help.

..

U

Answer 1

I know this is your homework :)

Atticus doesn't think it's right to shoot things that are sort of helpless- he didn't really want to shoot the rabid dog- he took his glasses off when he shot it.

She used it because it's a dinky little metaphor for innocence.

Answer 2

The mockingbird is really a symbolic tool used to portray innocence, which is one of the major themes in the novel.  To kill a mockingbird is basically like killing or taking away someones innocence.  

Answer 3

Atticus doesn't like to kill or hurt any creature, but especially not a mockingbird because they are innocent and harmless, and bring joy and pleasure to people's lives.  The title is appropriate because many characters in the book are "mockingbirds", innocent, but yet they come to harm.

There are numerous on line resources to help you with this novel, and with questions such as this one.  Many of them offer chapter summaries, list of characters, character sketches, discussions of themes, setting, imagery, and symbolism, etc.  Do a search for “study guides for To Kill a Mockingbird” etc., and you will find many sites.  Also, do a search here on yahoo answers for To Kill a Mockingbird and you will find a wealth of information.  

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tk...

http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/gcse/...

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/