Mockingbird Motif

Since reading To Kill a Mockingbird, i have understood what motif is much better. The motif in this story to "never kill a mockingbird." Which means to not punish someone that doesn't know any better and can't help themselves. This is referred to several times throughout the book.

Once when they kill Tom Robinson, an innocent, disabled man. Not only did they kill him but they shot him way too many times. Another time is when Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell to save Scout and Jem. Punishing Boo, a man that stays in his house all through the day, would be like killing a mockingbird. All he was doing was protecting the kids.

Life Lessons

I'll never forget coming home crying in first grade because I was having issues with a few of my friends. My mom said, "Honey just be yourself and if somebody doesn't like you, then they're not a real friend. If you just be yourself you will find people who like you for who you are and not what you try to be." Although at the time it didn't seem like what my mom had just said was very important, it has stuck with me my whole life and is some of the best advice I've ever received.

This has been one piece of advice that I can honestly say has never let me down. Through all the drama of my pre-teen and teen years so far I have stuck to this. As long as I'm true to myself I will find people who will be true to me. This life lesson has helped me throughout the years to find out who my true friends really are.