Similarly, there were many hollow rumours running around the county based on Boo Radley, and the majority of the residents of Maycomb decided these unjustified stories resulting in the alienation of Boo. Tom is represented as one of the greatest victims of prejudice by Harper Lee, as he is continuously discriminated for the colour of his skin. It is easy to see that one of the main "mockingbirds" in this story is Tom Robinson- a harmless man who becomes a victim of racial prejudice.
One Shot at a Mockingbird “‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’” (Lee 119). Atticus Finch, in Harper Lee’s renowned To Kill a Mockingbird says this quote to his daughter as a symbol of the destruction of innocence. Many “mockingbirds” are present in the novel, however, the most discernible are Jem Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley. Jem Finch, because he is a child whose innocence is destroyed by the unprejudiced society, Tom Robinson, because his total innocence is similar to a harmless songbird, and Boo Radley, because of his good nature that had been injured by the evils of mankind. Like mockingbirds, these characters become violated by the injustices of humanity.
“The boy was dead the moment Mayella opened her mouth and screamed. It’s not right, but sometimes we can’t change the minds of white men.” Tom Robinson was innocent and most people know it. Mayella Ewell was obviously coached to lie- she stopped answering questions at one point. Mr. Bob Ewell was a low man who no doubt abused his children. It was obvious that Mr. Ewell beat his daughter, not Tom Robinson.
The meaning of killing a mockingbird, how it represents Tom Robinson and how it represents Boo Radley. To kill a mockingbird means to kill something innocent, something pure, something that does no harm to anyone. Mockingbirds do nothing but make music for people to enjoy that is why “it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (pg.90) In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” Tom Robinson is one of the characters who represent the mockingbird. He is a lot like the mockingbird because he did nothing but try to help Mayella Ewell who is the daughter of Bob Ewell. Tom Robinson was blamed for raping Mayella Ewell because her father has caught her kissing a black man, Tom Robinson, and at that time it was unacceptable to do so.
It is ironic to note that in society’s desire to drive away the ‘wretch’ and monster, they themselves have become ‘monstrous.’ Victor in particular, with his ruthless neglect and lack of paternal feeling towards the Creature, epitomizes society’s merciless and brutal prejudice. With his unchecked ambition, fatal hubris and inability to empathize with the Creature, Victor is perhaps more the monster than the Creature is. He
Cain related back to hell and all that is evil, so immediately one may think that Grendel is this evil character due to his heritage. However, he is a misunderstood character who was not given the benefit of the doubt. In the eyes of man, Grendel is an evil monster banished from man’s society, who is now forced to live and see the world in a different perspective. Grendel attempted to fit into man’s world. Though, man’s world is a harsh and judgmental society.
It is not difficult to find it is these personalities; inferiority, jealousy, and desire for true love that makes his love pathetic and wretched. During the phantom's childhood, nobody wanted to get along with him. Adults thought he was a devil which brought bad luck to them. Children teased him and made a fool of him. His shameful face made his parents hate him and ignore him.
He was not in there for too long because Mr.Radley had to bring him back home so he would not die from the mold growth. When Boo left that basement, he would never see society again. While Boo was chained up in his own house, rumors passed were around town about him. People became terrified of Boo because of stories and lies told about him. He was only a victim of the insanity his parents put him through from being isolated from society.
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy....That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The mockingbird then comes to represent true goodness and purity. Tom Robinson is one example of a human “mockingbird”. He stands accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, the daughter of Bob Ewell, but is innocent of the charges. The town commits the ultimate sin by finding Tom guilty and sentencing him to death. In effect, they have killed a mockingbird.
A mockingbird only to be killed by the white people of Maycomb. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.... that’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Harper Lee is displaying how far prejudice can go with the domino effect. Tom Robinson, an innocent man trialled guilty, leading to his death and soon the distraught of his family members. All because of obstinacy. Harper Lee’s attitude towards prejudice is bitter.