Harper Lee’s book was released in 1960. This novel’s name is important in several ways. It alludes to the novel’s core topic: the brutal reality of racial discrimination and injustice in the 1930s southern United States. The title is derived from a section in the novel in which Scout, the narrator, is warned by her father, Atticus Finch, that killing a mockingbird is a sin (Lee 93). This expression refers to mockingbirds, harmless animals that whistle to delight individuals who listen to them. The title “To Kill a mockingbird” highlights systemic prejudice and loss of innocence in an empathetic manner that helps its readers relate to the destructive impact of such immoral acts on the common good.
Atticus’ comment is an analogy for the belief that it is bad to hurt something harmless that provides joy to others. In this respect, the Mockingbird symbolizes Tom Robinson, an innocent African American lad falsely convicted of raping a white lady in the novel. Through Tom Robinson’s tribulations, Scout and Jem discover the reality of racial discrimination and injustice (Lee 78). Atticus, Tom’s defense attorney, receives hostility and harassment from many in town who oppose him for defending a black man. The subject of heroism and integrity in the face of hardship is highlighted by Atticus’ persistent commitment to protect Tom and rise to defend what is right, regardless of the consequences.
The novel’s name also emphasizes the concept of innocence and how it could be lost or taken away via Scout, Jem, and Tom’s experiences. Scout, who began the book as a young, innocent kid, learns about life’s harsh facts as she experiences Tom’s injustice. Similarly, Jem’s innocence is questioned when he learns about the degree of racial discrimination and injustice in their culture. Portrayed as a gentle and honest person, Tom Robinson gets his life snatched away because of his skin color (Lee 122). The novel’s core topic is the disappearance of innocence and the influence of bias on the lives of the novel’s characters.
The title “To Kill a Mockingbird” conveys the theme of empathy through the life experiences of Scout, as mentioned above. She realizes the value of understanding and supporting individuals different from herself. This is demonstrated through her encounters with individuals like her father, Atticus, who teach her to view things from the perspectives of others (Lee 77). Moreover, her connection with Tom Robinson, a black individual wrongfully accused of a crime. Scout comes to view the world through the characters’ eyes and comprehend the injustices they suffer, which helps her develop empathy and compassion.
Furthermore, the title “To Kill a Mockingbird” might be seen as a call to action in two stages. First, the author shows the readers the extent of animosity resulting from systemic racism with the sole intention of evoking emotions. It urges the reader to contemplate the damage that prejudice and inequality can do to society. For instance, the case against Tom Robinson reveals much about how cruel and unfair, and biased laws can become. The accused persona was an African American man accused of raping a white lady. Despite substantial proof to the contrary, Tom is convicted and subsequently dies while attempting to flee jail (Lee 207). This demonstrates the justice system’s unfair treatment of black people and the sheer disregard for their existence.
The second part of how the title acts as a call to action to the readers is by how it presents the character of Atticus. Atticus’ character is an instance of an individual who, despite the repercussions, fights for what is right. He is an imperative character in the book that exemplifies how to behave in the face of discrimination. The novel uses the metaphor of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to communicate that it is critical to defend the helpless and stand up to injustice, regardless of how challenging or controversial it may prove to be. “To kill a mockingbird” was a novel intended for a general audience, so it reached a diverse audience who were better able to understand the plight of people that faced different forms of discrimination.
One school of thought would also postulate that the title “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a subliminal message to the book’s readers. As aforementioned, the Mockingbird is an amicable creature that uplifts people’s sense of well-being via the language of music. It is necessary to understand that the sentimental value of the Mockingbird is highly attributed to its natural musical ability to speak positivity via her chirps. Similarly, there are several instances in the book where the characters’ feelings are affected by the use of language.
However, the impact of language in the novel is contrary to that manifested by the Mockingbird. Instead, personas in the novel use condescending tones and language to tear down others. An excellent example is To Kill a Mockingbird’s use of racist remarks and insulting phrases has a tremendous impact on the reader because it exposes the deep-seated prejudice and racism that prevailed in the Southern hemisphere of the U.S. in the 1930s when the novel is set. The frequent usage of the “N” word emphasizes the dehumanizing and demeaning essence of the word and its effect on the novel’s black characters.
Similarly, using the term “boy” to refer to an elderly black man reflects the condescending and patronizing feelings that many white people had toward African Americans during the particular period the novel was written. The employment of these phrases evokes a strong emotion in the reader and demonstrates how language can be used as an oppressive tool and control. Overall, using such terminology contributes to the novel’s feeling of historical accuracy and raw authenticity while also putting a light on historical injustices and their continuing influence on society today. Therefore, it emphasizes language’s impact in evoking positive or negative emotions.
In conclusion, the name “To Kill a Mockingbird” is meaningful to readers in various ways, especially in creating an empathetic appeal. The key themes of racial discrimination and injustice, loss of innocence, and the significance of standing up for what is right are all included within the title. The title is intriguing because it encourages one to contemplate its connotation, which helps one profoundly relate to the novel’s personas and experiences. As a result, this work has had a tremendous influence on readers and is regarded as a classic in American literature due to its compelling message and timeless themes. It is salient to understand that the theme of prejudice applies not only to the issue of racism but also to any other form of discrimination, such as misogyny.
Work Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird – Full Text PDF.Pdf. McIntosh and Otis, Inc., 1960.