What Does Arthur Radley Represent In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee which was published in 1960, right before the peak of the American civil rights movement. Mockingbirds are alluring songbirds, creating songs for us and symbolizing the idea of innocence, hence why it is a sin to kill mockingbirds. This novel showcases characters that symbolize mockingbirds, and how injustice, prejudice, and hostility can kill mockingbirds. The best characters portraying mockingbirds are Tim Johnson, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson.

First and foremost, Tim Johnson is the dog of Harris Johnson. An innocent dog had suddenly gotten rabies and was shot dead in the neighborhood of Scout Finch, the narrator of the novel. Although the book never specified the personality of the

Its importance is evident in the novel through Scout's memory of the moment when Atticus Finch, her father, had shot Tim Johnson. She compares the apprehension and tension in the courtroom during Tom Robinson’s trial, to the day of Tim Johnson’s death. Although Tim Johnson is a minor character in To Kill A Mockingbird, its symbolic importance is definitely seen through Scout's memories.

Furthermore, Arthur Radley is another great representation of a mockingbird in the novel. Arthur Radley, unlike other kids who went to school, was locked up by his father to prevent him from interacting with others. This does not stop when father dies, as his brother, Nathan Radley, continues to fulfill his fathers duty of keeping Arthur Radley out from the public eye. Kids in the neighborhood grew up hearing the horrific rumors of Arthur Radley, giving him the notorious name, Boo Radley. He retains the name due to his absence in the community and because of rumors that paint him as a mad man. A man who attacks his family with scissors, stares into windows,

Due to this accusation, he is taken to court where he describes in his testimony that he meant no ill intentions towards Mayella. Tom Robinson had been crippled for most of his life, getting his left arm stuck in a cotton gin when he was a child. This is a significant detail about Tom because the injuries on Mayella were made by a pair of arms, supporting Tom’s innocence. Tom’s whole testimony completely contrasted against Mayella’s. Tom tells the truth about Mayella, how she calls him over to their property so he could lend her a hand. Being a gentleman, Tom Robinson assists Mayella with her tasks without asking for a penny. When one day, Tom passes by her house like any ordinary day, she calls him over asking him to help with the door. Tom innocently walks on to her property and develops a conversation. Mayella’s true intentions are revealed when she suddenly gets close to Tom, kissing him without his permission. Mayella and Tom are caught in the act by her father, Bob Ewell and Tom runs away, afraid of being taken into court for something he never did. Telling this story to defend himself as a black man against a white woman during the 1930 is a dangerous act. The lawyer of Tom Robinson, Attics Finch, defends him against Mayella and Bob Ewell, collecting exceptional evidence to prove his innocence. Due to the time and the setting of the novel, the verdict of Tom