Boo Radley and Tom Robinson share many similarities in spite of fact that one man is white and the other black. By juxtaposing these two characters, Lee proves that justice and compassion reach beyond the boundary of color and human prejudices. The novel's title is a metaphor for both men, each of whom is a mockingbird. In this case however, one mockingbird is shot, the other is forced to kill.
Boo and Tom are handicapped men. Lee hints that he may be physically unhealthy, and she makes statements that lead the reader to believe he may be mentally unstable. However, no character sheds any light on his actual condition, leaving the reader wondering whether Boo's family protects him or further handicaps him. Tom is physically handicapped, like a bird with a broken wing, but his race is probably a bigger "disability" in the Maycomb community. As a result of these handicaps, both men's lives are cut short. Whatever Boo's problems may be, the reader knows that something happened to Boo that has caused him to become a recluse. For all practical purposes, Tom's life ends when a white woman decides to accuse him of rape.
Boo sees Scout and Jem as his children, which is why he parts with things that are precious to him, why he mends Jem's pants and covers Scout with a blanket, and why he ultimately kills for them: "Boo's children needed him." Apparently his family disapproves of his affection for the children or Mr. Radley wouldn't have cemented the knothole. But Boo is undeterred and loves them, even with the probable knowledge that he is the object of their cruel, childish games. Tom also recognizes Mayella as a person in need. On the witness stand, he testifies that he gladly helped her because "'Mr. Ewell didn't seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun.'" Tom helps Mayella at great personal expense.
To Kill A Mockingbird Jem, Scout, and Dill live in Maycomb, Alabama around the 1930’s, having to struggle through slavery and the poor family’s trying to scrape by. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem, Scout, and Dill have some great courage throughout the novel as they have loyalty in their relationships as seen in character, conflict, and symbolism. The main characters in the story show relationships throughout the novel. There is a tight relationship between Jem, Scout, and Dill; they show courage…
To Kill a Mockingbird In "To Kill a Mockingbird" Scout feels bad at the end of the book because she believes that neighbors give in return and she did not give her neighbor, Boo Radley, anything in return for all of the things that he did for her. This comment comes from a child Scout narrator because she does not fully understand what Jem and her really gave Boo in return. Scout believes that Jem and her never gave anything to Boo in return, but they don’t understand that they gave Boo something…
The quote “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.”(p.283) is a climactic moment in Harper Lee’s Novel To Kill a Mockingbird as it represents Scout finally growing up and understanding the significance of seeing things from other people’s perspective. This theme is portrayed in the book through many characters. Atticus, Miss Caroline Fishure, Calpurnia, Miss Dubose and Jem…
“To kill A mockingbird” by Harper Lee, set in the United States, explores a range of universal concepts of the 1930s as well as today which enhances our learning enabling readers to become better global citizens. The book was set during a time when racial tension of black versus white was popular. Racism was very common during this difficult time and Harper Lee emphasises this issue through the young Innocent eyes of Scout. In Maycomb, a small, old country town in the south of USA, an elevation of…
Molly Fowler English, Hour 1 Baranoski March 9, 2015 Throughout the story of To Kill a Mockingbird , Scout speaks quite highly, while sometimes lowly, of her brother, Jem. She’s always looking up to him for one reason or another, and is constantly interested in what he is doing, wanting to stick by him at all times and joining him on his life journeys taking them both up and down. Although Scout explains her own thoughts on the events taking place, they could also be her opinion on anothers story…
through the novel innocence is experienced. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, symbolism plays an important role. There is one symbol that Harper Lee incorporated into the novel and that helps develop ideas by Scout and Jem; a mockingbird. In my life I have gone through many situations where I have been innocent and it has moved on to experience. Multiple characters in this novel are innocent but their innocence is destroyed by evil. The mockingbird is the symbolism of the innocence in this case…
Situations Every one deals with situations differently, and I’ll show you in the reading, in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” and in my own personal experience, that people deal with situations differently. In the reading Carol is faced with a situation where everyone compares her to her sister Elena everyone tells her, to be more like her. As much as she tries to be more like her everyone just puts Carol down because she isn’t like her, the only place she feels like she is wanted is in school…
thing based on their skin complexion. The history of man is severely tainted and splashed with the racist actions that are once preconceived thoughts. The great barrier of white people and black people is very evident in history. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by the author Harper Lee, the theme of prejudice between the white and the black people is evident. This novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930’s. This story is told in the first person and is narrated by Jean Louise…
Nick Bradley Mr. Decaprio English I 11 August, 2014 “To Kill a Mockingbird” “To Kill a Mockingbird”, what can be said about this novel that has not been said already? Written by author Harper Lee, the story is told through the eyes of a young “tom boy” nicknamed Scout Finch. It is interesting to see such a deep novel told through the eyes of such a young child. The story has conflicts at every corner, for example: the altercation with Boo Radley and his father…
Nora Sharba Friday 3 English 8 May 10, 2014 The Conflict of Human Inequality In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, human inequality is a major problem that is constantly disregarded by the people of Maycomb County, Alabama. This conflict is mainly portrayed through racism and social structure. Mayella Ewell and Tom Robinson are two characters that experience inequality throughout the novel. Mayella Ewell experiences social inequality in Maycomb County. She is a white girl who lives with her…