I just found an interesting essay on Status, Illegal Immigrants and Mockingbirds.
http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/damola-awoyokun/killing-mockingbird-letter-to-my-unborn-daughter
This article offers an interesting, personal perspective which does well to elucidate the central theme in Harper Lee's story. There is a sense in which any minority--even to the level of individual persons--does maintain a sort of innocence or "mockingbird" status. Illegal immigrants are sadly persecuted when they are extremely vulnerable--just like Tom Robinson.
That was interesting. I never made this connection. Thanks!
