The Mockingbirds

The Mockingbirds

Throughout the course of human history there have always been men and women in society who have preyed upon the meek and innocent. They do not victimize these people because it is easy, nor because it is hard, but rather simply because they can. No one will stop them, and those who are being preyed upon are unable to do anything to stop them whether because of a social stigma or physical incapability. They are the aftermath of poverty and poor upbringings. These universal troublemakers are present in every form of society. They believe that the ends always justify the means as long as the fate of their mischief is bestowed upon someone else. At times like these, those who fall victim to their folly are the innocent.

This is a recurring theme in the classic American novel written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. In this story those innocents who are victimized by others are the "mockingbirds" of society. They never cause any harm, and in fact, they usually have good intents and kind natures. Like the true mockingbirds of the wild, they bless others while they sing their pleasant songs. Yet, even though they only raise their joyous song for pleasure, they are hunted because they can be preyed upon by those who are stronger. As a metaphor to true life, people like this, the innocent "mockingbirds", are constantly being harassed and prosecuted for all the wrong reasons. When Scout, wondering why her father says it is a sin to kill a mocking bird, her neighbor, Miss Maudie explains, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in the corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."(90) It is wrong to harm them because they never did anything to deserve their punishment. Yet even though this may be true, there is no such thing as a perfect world, and the unjust treatment will never stop. The innocents at times do pay for the crimes of the guilty. Harper Lee illustrates this in her writings of this novel. This was a theme that Lee seemed to want her readers to take away from the reading of this novel. The persecution and destruction of innocence was shown through several of the characters as "mockingbird" figures, who were wrongfully destroyed by the ignorance and hatred of those guilty.

Tom Robinson was the appointed victim of the novel, and therefore, the most prominent "mockingbird" in the story. Throughout his trial in the later chapters of the novel, it became quite apparent to the readers that he was not guilty of the crime he was accused of. His trial attracted so much attention that it became a public spectacle, and drew people from all over town. The muggy courthouse was so congested that Scout, Jem, and Dill sat with Reverend Sykes from Calpurnia's church in the African American section. Even before the trial had begun, the majority of Maycomb had already decided that Tom was guilty simply based on the fact that he was black. However, Atticus still defended Tom with all his ability up until the verdict. The evidence proving Tom's innocence was incredible. He points out that there was no physical examination done by the doctor, and second, if Bob Ewell were so concerned for Mayella's welfare, he should have called a doctor to treat her injuries. Mr. Ewell also described all of Mayella's bruises were on the right side of her face, so logically it would have been caused by a left-handed person. However, Tom's left hand was shriveled and completely useless. After proving his point, Atticus in fact makes Ewell appear to be a liar. With all the evidence on Tom's side, he's still convicted for rape after the attorney, Mr. Gilmer, tricked him into making disparaging statements about a Mayella.

Tom Robinson was shot dead for a crime he didn't do. He never took advantage of Mayella; in fact it was actually the other way around. Mayella had planned the day for a long time. She saved money for a year so she could send her siblings out to town for ice cream, in order to get them out of the way so they would not see what happened next. That day on November twenty-first, Tom walked by and Mayella invited him to come inside to help her. Once he entered she slammed the door shut and proceeded to make advances on him. He tried to resist her, but then her enraged father saw them through the window and Tom ran for his life. It was really Mr. Ewell that beat up Mayella, but rather than face the shame, plus the horror that she wanted to make love with an African-American, they framed Tom Robinson for rape. He only wanted to help Mayella, but in the end it resulted in his death. People wanted to see him dead merely because he was black.

Tom was a mockingbird figure in many respects. Tom never did any harm to anyone. He was a harmless, hard working man. When he was condemned by the prejudice of the town, he did not have a chance, and was eventually killed. He died because he was black and accused for an unthinkable crime. For most people at that time, that was all that was needed for him to be sentenced to his death.

At various other points in the story, other characters assumed the role of the "mockingbird". Atticus did not request Tom Robinson's case; however he was still assigned it. Before his trial had even begun, the county already condemned Tom. The reason for that was the unjust hatred and prejudice in Maycomb for African Americans. They were tolerated, but the members of the county underestimated their essential value to the community, and they lashed out at the blacks with their naпve prejudice whenever the chance came about. The chance for such actions came about with the trial of Tom Robinson. There was no chance of him coming out of that courtroom innocent, yet Atticus still defended him justly until the end. He knew of the negative effects that would result from him willingly making an effort in the case, however he still did what he believed was right even if it did arise dangers for himself. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't. He said, "...if I didn't, I couldn't hold my head up in this town, I couldn't represent this country in the legislature, and I couldn't tell you [Scout] and Jem not to do something again."(75) If he didn't take the case, he would never be able to ask Jem and Scout to mind him ever again. This case affected him personally. It tested his moral beliefs against the county, which thought it was right. Horrible rumors were spread about him and men cursed his name under their breath. Atticus was helplessly trapped. He was forced to take this extremely controversial case, and at the same time he felt forced to do what was right.