The name of this novel To Kill a Mockingbird is significant for one main reason. It is a sin to intentionally destroy innocence. Throughout the book, the mockingbird represents pure innocence and goodness. As Miss Maudie, from the novel, said, "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 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." In this novel there are many times when innocence is displayed in some of the characters, but there are two main incidences when innocence is preserved or almost preserved.
During the novel, a trial occurs between a black innocent man named Tom Robinson and two white liars. Tom is accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Mayella and her father both try to have Tom be punished for a crime he didn't commit. Atticus, a lawyer and the father of the narrator of the novel, does all he can to protect Tom and beautifully presents the evidence to prove Tom's innocence. Unfortunately, the white jury, who are mostly prejudiced against the defendant, convict him of committing the crime. .
The other incident occurs during the end of the novel where Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella, tries to kill Scout and Jem, the children of Atticus, on their way home from a Halloween pageant. Boo Radley, a recluse, leaves his home and selflessly puts his life in danger to protect the kids. A fight breaks out between Boo and Bob Ewell with Boo eventually killing Bob Ewell. Scout and Heck Tate, the sheriff, both change the story of Bob's death to protect Boo from gaining unwanted attention and being victimized by the townspeople for killing Bob, even though it was in self-defense, and thus they preserve Boo's true innocence in the event.
