What is the meaning of the mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird?

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amarang9 | College Teacher | (Level 2) Educator Emeritus

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The mockingbird is symbol for innocence: a symbol for one who does no harm to others, whose only purpose is to be helpful and peaceful. In Chapter 10, Scout recalls the time when Atticus told Jem to shoot all the bluejays he wants but that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie explains what Atticus meant to Scout: 


The characters most symbolizing mockingbirds in this novel are Tom Robinson and Arthur (Boo) Radley. Tom attempted to help Mayella and as a result, he was wrongfully accused, convicted, and killed. Tom only tried to help and never harmed anyone: Miss Maudie's definition of a mockingbird. By analogy, it was also a sin to kill Tom Robinson. Boo Radley also never did anyone any harm. In fact, there are numerous times in the novel when he helps Scout and Jem. Therefore, it would be a sin to harm or kill Boo as well. One might consider Atticus as symbolic of the mockingbird as well. He practices what he preaches: justice and honesty. He helps people in any way he can. And he even refrains from fighting back when Bob Ewell spits on him. Atticus generously reasons that to fight back would contribute to more violence: 




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