The Last Song of Innocence

Mankind has always been fascinated by symbolism and comparison. Many novels and plays have significant symbols which represent different aspect of a human life. In the book by Harper Lee, "To Kill a Mockingbird", the title has a very symbolic meaning. In this context, a mockingbird represents innocence since this type of bird do not harm you in anyway; they only "sing their heart out for you" 1. In this story, several citizens' innocence is shattered by evil, hence the title "To Kill a Mockingbird". Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are the most significant form of innocence being destroyed by prejudice or simply evilness.

Tom Robinson is the main example of this morally incorrect behaviour. He was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. This was obviously not true and during his trial even the jury understood what had truly happened. But Tom Robinson was convicted guilty although the evidence could easily prove the opposite. Why? Because he is black; the prejudice and racist community did not allow a black man to win a trial against a white person. He was clearly innocent but was sent to jail and later killed for crimes he never committed. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." 2. If killing something as innocent as a mockingbird is a sin, then killing an innocent man such as Tom Robinson because of his black origins also is.

However, Tom Robinson is not the only one who falls victim to this cruelty; Arthur "Boo" Radley is another character who can be considered as a "mockingbird". He is unfairly considered like an evil person and feared by all in Maycomb. Women and children are terrorized by him and picture him as a tall, evil looking man who eats raw squirrels and cats. Furthermore, at a young age, Arthur was victim of his father's heartless wrath. For many years Boo was unjustly locked up in his house, unable to interact with the rest of society. When Heck Tate declares that he will not arrest Boo for the murder of Bob Ewell, Atticus asked Scout if she understood the reason for this seemingly dishonest decision. ". . .it'd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird wouldn't it?" 3 , she replied. Boo is compared to a gentle bird and it would be a sin to arrest him for the murder of Robert Ewell. Tom Robinson's case may be compelled by complex