Why did Harper Lee choose the name "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

One of
the primary explores throughout her classic novel is the importance of
protecting innocent, vulnerable beings. One of the most important life lessonsteaches his
children concerns one's duty to protect innocent, defenseless people. In chapter ten,andare
shooting their air rifles and Atticus tells them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss
Maudie then elaborates on Atticus's comment by telling the children,

"Your fathers right . . . Mockingbirds dont do one thing but
make music for us to enjoy. They dont eat up peoples gardens, dont nest in corncribs, they dont
do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. Thats why its a sin to kill a mockingbird"
(Lee, 49).

Throughout the story, mockingbirds
symbolically represent the innocent and vulnerable. Both Tom Robinson andare symbolic
mockingbirds, who are benevolent, harmless, and in need of protection. Atticus metaphorically
applies his own lesson...