They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
Harper LeeRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of appreciating beauty and kindness in the world, represented by mockingbirds.
In this quote from Harper Lee, mockingbirds symbolize pure goodness and selflessness, as they exist solely to enrich the lives of others through their song. This serves as a reminder of the value of protecting innocence and the beauty that contributes positively to the world, suggesting that harming those who provide joy and beauty is morally wrong.
Themes
MockingbirdMusicKindnessInnocenceProtection
In practice
Example use cases
When discussing the importance of kindness in a community service speech.
More from Harper Lee
All quotes →It's better to be silent than to be a fool.
Harper LeeRead
Don’t talk like that, Dill,” said Aunt Alexandra. “It’s not becoming to a child. It’s – cynical.” “I ain’t cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin’ the truth’s not cynical, is it?” “The way you tell it, it is.
Harper LeeRead
With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.
Harper LeeRead
He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
Harper LeeRead
You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.
Harper LeeRead
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