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What Does Boo Radley Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The author use the mockingbird symbolism such as innocence and peacefulness to reveal characteristics about various characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Many characters in this novel show the meaning of a mockingbird, but there are some in which their actions and characteristics makes them stand out more.In the novel they state that killing a mockingbird its a sin because all they want to is be happy and sing for everyone can here. That is why kids are allowed to kill blue jays or shoot at cans. Anyone who shoots a mockingbird is committing a sin. In To Kill a Mockingbird the author Harper Lee uses Boo Radley, Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch to reveal the meaning of the symbolism of a mockingbird. Boo Radley is a sweet, gentle …show more content…

Mayella is raising her brothers and sisters on her own and is abused by her father, Bob Ewell. Her loneliness leads her to seek out affection wherever she can, and unfortunately, she decides to pick on Tom Robinson. Tom was an innocent man who was falsely accused by Mayella Ewell of rape and abuse. In the novel they said that tom was trying to escape prison and so they shot him, but we all know that they killed him because he was a black man. For example, when Scout says what Mr.underwood said, “Mr.Underwood didn't talk about miscarriages of justice , he was writing so children could understand. Mr.Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting or escaping”(ch25,pg239). This quote is saying how the mistreatment of Tom and his eventual killing is a sin committed by the racist values of southern people. Also, Tom Robinson was a good husband, father, church goer, worker, citizen, and person. That is why in the novel they said “He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children”(ch25,pg240). This quote was saying how Tom Robinson was like a mockingbird who all he wanted was a peaceful life and

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170 Words | 1 Pages

To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Mockingbirds do not cause harm or trouble; in fact their only purpose is to convince others with beautiful music. Tom Robinson’s death can easily be compared to that of a mockingbird; it did no good but also prevented no evil. Mr. Underwood chooses to write an article that basically every citizen of Maycomb can understand, and this proves to the reader the obvious connection between Tom Robinson and the symbol of a mockingbird. Mr. Underwood chooses to ignore the prominent racial barrier that separated Tom Robinson from justice, and chooses to focus on his disability instead.

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476 Words | 2 Pages

This passage encapsulates the novel's central theme of empathy, compassion, and the importance of preserving innocence. Through the symbol of the mockingbird, Lee conveys a powerful message that resonates with readers, urging them to recognize and protect the vulnerable and innocent members of society. The passage's beauty lies in its simplicity and poetic imagery. By comparing mockingbirds to innocent beings that bring joy through their songs and do no harm, Lee emphasizes their purity and their inherent goodness.

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980 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” written by Harper Lee, the readers can see how Scout changes her view about Boo Radley. Because of their nosiness, Jem, Scout, and Dill try to drag Boo out his house and to the outside world. Their innocent actions combined with Boo’s actions changed the image of Boo, in their minds, from “a malevolent phantom” (10), a person who kills cats and eats squirrels to a neighbor they can trust, who saves them from Bob Ewell. Scout says at the end, “Boo was our neighbor” (373). The readers can see a great change in their relationship.

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232 Words | 1 Pages

The mockingbird in To Kill A Mockingbird is symbolic of innocence. Early in the novel, Atticus, the father tells the children Scout and Jem that it is a "sin to kill a mockingbird". Later Scout asks Miss Maudie what he meant by that because she has never heard her father say anything was a sin. Miss Maudie explains his reasoning by saying that all mockingbirds do is provide beautiful music. They do not harm anyone, they don't bother anyone, and they "sing their hearts out for us."

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1442 Words | 6 Pages

Underwood uses the analogy of Tom’s death to the slaughter of songbirds. When Mr. Underwood learned that Tom Robinson was shot seventeen times when trying to escape jail, he believed that it was a sin. After Tom’s death Mr. Underwood writes a passage in the paper about how he feels about it:“Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children”(323).

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671 Words | 3 Pages

Symbolism is used by many authors to convey a specific message that carries a deep meaning. In Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the primary symbol is the Mockingbird. There are numerous references to the mockingbird in the novel, which can be seen through some of the characters. The allusion of the mockingbird is used to represent the idea of innocence.

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117 Words | 1 Pages

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the mockingbird is a metaphor for Tom Robinson. While mockingbirds are discussed in the novel as literal birds that harmlessly sing and entertain, Lee clearly uses the mockingbird to symbolize Tom Robinson. One reason that supports this idea is a Robinson is a innocent man who tried to help someone but then was convicted of rape. Another reason that supports the metaphor is Tom, the innocent songbird, was put on trial for his life and was convicted guilty. This inhuman action of murdering an innocent and harmless man who wanted to help is like the killing of a harmless songbird.both are innocent, and both murders are wrong.

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822 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee many characters are victims of the harsh conditions of Maycomb County. Often those who are seen to be metaphorical mockingbirds are punished the most. A mockingbird is one who only wants and attempts to do good. Characters such as Boo Radley, Jem Finch and Tom Robinson are exemplars of mockingbirds in Maycomb. In the novel it is explained by Atticus that killing a mockingbird is a sin because they do not do anything to harm to us like nesting in corncribs, or eating up the gardens, they only sing for us.

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273 Words | 2 Pages

Tom Robinson is discriminated against just because of the color of his skin. In the book, he is accused of raping Mayella Ewell by Bob Ewell. In court, Bob Ewell says “‘...Mayella was raisin’ this holy racket so I dropped m’load and run as fast as I could but I run into

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998 Words | 4 Pages

Just innocent people that help with everything they can. A mockingbird represents innocence and is harmless to everything. In the end of this novel, the kids were saved from a tragic event by one of the mockingbirds which is Boo Radley. This was surprising because everybody thought he was crazy and hurt people, but he saved the kids.

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715 Words | 3 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book mainly about the coexistence of good and evil. The book stresses and emphasizes on the exploration of moral nature in humans. There are many themes in this novel including courage, innocence, racism, femininity, etc. However the most prevalent theme in the book is innocence. Not just innocence in itself but the danger and harm evil poses to the innocent.

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323 Words | 2 Pages

He was giving of himself help. He was in no way harming anyone. Then when Bob Ewell came home and found Tom Robinson, he set out to ruin his life. Tom was innocently helping Mayella when Bob Ewell accused him of raping his daughter. The white people said Tom was guilty, killing Tom with their conviction before he even had a fair trial Tom’s is seen by very few of the characters in the book.

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607 Words | 3 Pages

Do you remember stories of the boogeyman from childhood? Well for the kids of Maycomb they have their own sort of boogeyman, he goes by the name of Boo Radley. Not only is he the source of nightmares for the kids of Maycomb, but a source of fascination for every reader. Boo Radley is the most interesting character so far because of all the folklore about him, his motivation for hiding out, and the children's fascination with him. “Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off.

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732 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the term mockingbird symbolizes innocence in a person. In the novel it focuses on the fact that innocence, represented by the mockingbird, can be wrongfully harmed. There are two characters: Tom Robinson and Arthur “Boo” Radley that are supposed to represent the mockingbird. In the novel, Tom Robinson is the best example of a mockingbird because he is prosecuted for a crime he did not commit. Also, he was judged unfairly based on the color of his skin in his trial.

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411 Words | 2 Pages

Harper Lee and Tate Taylor contend that those who do not fit into society are misunderstood and often have different realities. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in 1935 in Maycomb, a Southern American town where everyone attends church and socialises with people within their social hierarchy. However, the Radleys isolate themselves from Maycomb by not going to church and worshipping at home. Furthermore, the Radley’s house doors and shutters are always closed, which is “another thing alien to Maycomb’s ways.” As a result, the Radley’s do not fit into Maycomb societal standards.

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