Mockingbird Motif

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, a mockingbird motif is used to show innocence and good. Boo Radley is an example of a mockingbird. He only helps people, he doesn't harm them. It is said after he saves Jem and Scout's lives that it would be unfair to tell people that he saved them because he obviously wants to be left alone (he hasn't been seen for many years), it would be unright to harm someone by forcing attention on him when he has only helped people.

The mockingbird motif also used to illustrate the major themes, such as growing up. Throughout the book, Scout's perspective on Boo Radley has been constantly changing. She slowly relises that he isn't the phycopathic criminal that the town makes him out to be. He is just someone who does nothing to promote the rumors other than stay in his house instead of put up with all of the wrongs in the world. He does nothing but make beautiful music; he is a mockingbird.

Life Lessons

My mom has always wanted me to succeed in life. Whether it's getting a good grade in a hard class or doing well in a game, she always tells me "Visualize a good result. If you don't believe it will happen, it won't." I have to picture the best outcome in my mind. If I think that something won't turn out well or I won't get a good grade on something, then I won't. It pushes you to do better and remember what you need to remember so that you can meet your goals.

This was brought up for the first time with sailing. I wanted to do well, but I didn't think that it would be possible. She told me that if I kept that attitude, I wouldn't do well. I would have to believe that it would happen before I could. It's not just visualizing, but also hard work. I worked hard to do well, and I did. I got tenth out of eighty four competitors for the whole season. I know that some of the people I beat, I only beat because they only sailed a few regattas, but I still beat them. Its because of my mom. This technique will help me for the rest of my life.