Context

Wait…where have we heard those words before: "to kill a mockingbird"? It sounds so familiar…

Oh, right. It's the title of the book.

Our advanced Spidey sense is telling us that it's probably an important line—one we should sit up and take notice of...and one that's probably a metaphor. After all, we're pretty sure the book wasn't sponsored by PETA.

This line is delivered from Atticus to his daughter—and our protagonist—Scout. He tells his kid that a person should never kill a mockingbird. Why? Because all a mockingbird does is stand around and sing its head off. Its sole purpose is to make sweet music and bring a little joy into people's lives, so of course it would be sinful to off one.

With so much of this book being about the killing of human beings—and whether it might ever be right or wrong—we're pretty sure this mockingbird business is symbolic of the lesson Harper Lee is trying to teach us throughout her tale. If anyone—or anybird—is kind and innocent and not harming anyone around them, then what right does anyone else have to silence them?

A sweet sentiment, sure, but we're a little bothered by the attitude toward blue jays here. What—are these guys going on evil killing sprees or something?

P.S. Check out our full analysis of the title.

Where you've heard it

Unfortunately, the image is a bit too vivid and morose for any sort of pet shop or aviary to take the name. We're not sure we'd want to go bird-watching at the "To Kill a Mockingbird Sanctuary."

But you'll often see the line in reference to someone's innocence—or when speaking on the subject of right or wrong. There are tumblrs and blogs galore celebrating the iconic work and using its core message to drive home a variety of points.

Ironically, though, you'll never hear anyone talking about the evil inherent in killing a Finch. Atticus and Scout had better watch their backs.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

The language is simple and the message well-intentioned. It's basically just another way of saying, "don't hurt people who aren't hurting anyone else." Although, if Atticus had just said that, he might have gotten an even lower rating on the pretentious factor scale. To be fair, it probably wouldn't have been as famous a quote: "Harper Lee's To Hurt Somebody Who Didn't Deserve It" almost certainly wouldn't have sold as many copies.