Mockingbird Motif

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird has most definitely increase my understanding of the term "motif" and how it is used to create symbolism to relate to characters, events, and themes. The "mockingbird motif", is used to represent innocence in the novel, and there are many reappearences throughout the book to enhance themes and develop characters.
One example of theis motif relating to the theme, or a"mockingbird" in the book is Tom Robinson. He adds a symbol meaning, by exemplifying the theme of racism and prejudice, as he is the target of it throughout the story, during the trial, doing things for Mayella Ewell, all of which finally led up to his death near the end of the book as an innocent person. Hence the title of the novel. Another example is near the end of the book, as Atticus and Mr. Tate are discussing the fate of Boo Radley. Tate believes to put out Radley as a hero would be killing a mockingbird, due to his innocent nature and character throughout the book, but in fact not bringing justice would be bad as well. This ties in with the theme of justice vs. injustice, due to them being faced with the difficult to decison of leaving Boo Radley alone and not serving justice, or revealing him as a hero to the town and putting his quiet, innocent life in danger.