Is Ben "the mockingbird"? (i.e. good, misunderstood)

[PandoraX]

Juliet was going to show "To Kill a Mockingbird", but instead uses it as an opportunity to try and secretly enlist Jack's help in killing Ben.

In the book, there's an ongoing metaphor that killing a mockingbird is a sin, because they are songbirds often picked on by those who don't understand that they don't harm anyone. Boo Radley and the black guy who gets falsely accused of rape are the "mockingbirds" in that story, and Atticus is a righteous protagonist, who follows his own moral compass to protect the weak, despite the consensus of his community.

To me, I didn't know where the Lost writers were trying to go with this one. Is Ben the mockingbird in this story... i.e. that he is innocent, to be destroyed senselessly by evil? He does think of himself as a martyr (remember him quoting Brothers Karamazov about prophets and martyrs?), but it just doesn't seem like the direction Lost is headed in, unless we are in for a BIG twist.

[Deadfall]

I felt it more addressed Jack's ethical quandry... In "To Kill A Mockingbird," a huge part of the story is Atticus Finch's insistance on standards of morality. He is the voice of reason in the novel, and ultimately must make the choice of whether or not to put his safety and reputation on the line for an individual he knows he can't truly save. You're right about possible implications for Ben, too...... "To Kill A Mockingbird" emphasizes how good and innocent people can be destroyed by evil/ignorance. Here's the most famous quote from it:

“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
“Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”


I like the idea that maybe this is a hint that Ben really is a good person.... Here's another quote that may fit:

“When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t doneany of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”

[strummecharlie]

i should think jack is the mockingbird. i think jack is fairly naive in my eyes and can let situations take advantage of him. maybe it's juliets and bens plan to really con jack? to kill him so to speak?

[PandoraX]

Thanks for your feedback on this, guys. It's been quite a while since I read this book, and I hadn't thought of the idea that the metaphor is more for Atticus' role as being similar to Jack's; I really like that.

I do think it's interesting that he's put in the position to defend (well, save) a man that is far from being lily-white innocent (I started a "What would you do" thread in polls for that). Seems like Atticus didn't have as much of an internal conflict because the plot makes it pretty obvious he was "doing the right thing".

[snakey]

It's my favorite book and a great movie. I think Eko was more of a mockingbird for the Smokey/Island sacrifice, also he protecteed the kids like Boo did. Honestly I think they just used that movie because it is such a well known movie and loved that there would be no questions from Ben as to why she chose it.

[boonian androphile]

Pandora:

I missed this thread before it vanished in a sea of pages. I dont know why To Kill a Mockingbird? I dont view Ben as good or misunderstood. I also dont view Juliet as well-intertentioned; I view her as a power player in the Other society. Maybe as others are saying, the reference is to Jack's moral dilemma (he has a lot of those). But seriously, and without being too flippant, the African-American couple are called Tom and Helen, names that have figured prominently in LOST legend. I dont think that that's the reason, but I thought the names coincidental. :confused: :bump:

[truffula]

unless we are in for a BIG twist
:yeah:
IT IS COMING.
I hope y'all are ready for it :D