Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?

“Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father's right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.”. read more

That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” These lines from Chapter 10 are the source of the novel’s title and introduce one of the key metaphors of the book: the idea of “mockingbirds” as good, innocent people who are destroyed by evil. read more

That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do nothing but create beautiful music for the enjoyment of others and to kill it would be killing an innocent creature that has tried to serve others. read more

"Atticus said to Jem one day, 'I'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. read more

Earlier in the novel, the children are playing with their air rifles and Atticus tells them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie elaborates by telling Jem and Scout that mockingbirds are sweet birds that do nothing to harm anyone and continually sing throughout the day. read more