The harmless mockingbirds
Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird focuses upon justice, prejudice, racism. To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on Maycomb, a small town that harbors a deep hatred for anyone who isn’t in line with their hypocritical standards. Many characters are unique and exceptional, with few mockingbirds. Mockingbirds are innocent creatures that have been subject to oppression by society or others. The story’s “mockingbirds”, Arthur “Boo”, Radley and Tom Robinson, are hinting at subtle clues.
Boo Radley the town ghost is a recluse. He is also white, and is often subject to false allegations and rumors. He dominates the imaginations and thoughts of Scout, Jem, and Dill in the beginning of this story. Scout and the children wonder why Boo would be so isolated. Miss Maudie says that Boo is a recluse because he doesn’t want to actively participate in society. Scout describes Boo, who Scout calls a “malevolent Phantom” and who is able to see into the lives of others and eat live animals. Boo is the victim of untrue and harsh rumors. He is also a recluse, which is disproved by the town. Jem states in a scene at the end that “I think I’m starting to understand why Booradley stays shut down in the home all this time…it is because he wants it to stay in” (227). Boo prefers to stay at home after being so oppressed by society. Important to remember that although Boo is clearly content to be a recluse, he still chooses to give Scout and Jem valuable items and takes care of them as if they were his own. Bob Ewell’s death is another example. Atticus’ death is explained by Scout Tate, Sheriff Tate, and Scout. Atticus asked Scout what ?'”(276 meant. Scout quickly replied that it was Boo that had killed Bob. Boo is, at this point, implied to be mockingbird. Boo is innocent and has been charged with rape that he did not commit. False accusations are very rare. Tom Robinson, a negroman who lives in 1930’s Alabama and is accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom is accused raping MayellaEwell, a woman of color. Tom is being tried in a context where racism and segregation are strong. Mister Gilmer, who is trying to recall the truth of Tom’s story to the jury, asks Tom why he agreed to help Mayella without any cost. Tom replied, “Yes, sih. I felt terrible for her. She seemed like she tried more than any of the others (197). He was shocked to hear that Tom seemed to feel sorry for Mayella, who is a white woman. In an age of cruel segregation and false identities it’s absurd that a black man would be pitying a woman of color. Tom is being tried for showing human kindness and basic racism. Instead of being thankful for his selfless acts, he is treated with suspicion and hate for being a Negro. The jury convicts Tom after the trial ends. This is a connection to the main theme of this story, mockingbirds. Tom is innocent, and he was convicted of a crime he did not commit.
Boo Radley is the main’mockingbird’ in the story, while Tom Robinson is the other. This is illustrated by Lee through key scenes of the novel. The story gradually builds to the point that readers can identify the mockingbirds and their motivations. Boo is harassed and accused of engaging in rape that he did not commit, and Tom being accused. Mockingbirds (pure beings) are those who are exiled from society and then persecuted. They are both two distinct characters, but they share many similarities because they are in the same situation.
