To Kill a Mockingbird: Compare and Contrast Essay the Mockingbird

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To Kill A Mockingbird: Compare and Contrast Essay The Mockingbird “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”(Lee, 90). In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch explains to his daughter Scout, that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds do not do anything to harm or bother others. All they do is sing pretty music for all to enjoy. Within the novel, the theme of the mockingbird is present through the characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. These two execute the theme of the mockingbird through the misinterpretation of themselves by the people of Maycomb, their innocence, and bravery throughout the novel. The people of Maycomb misinterpret both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. First, characters in the novel who is often misinterpret Boo Radley, other wise known as Arthur Radley because of Jem and Scout who give him this nickname. For instance, “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 as I [stand] on the Radley porch it [is] enough”(Lee, 279). People misinterpret Boo Radley throughout the novel, until the end when Scout reflects upon what Atticus states. It is difficult for others to understand why he acts the way he does. When Scout stands on the Radley porch, she suddenly realizes why Boo Radley behaves the way he does in the novel. Tom Robinson is also a character in this novel where misinterpretation takes place throughout his life. For example, during the trial Bob Ewell testifies and points to Tom and says, “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella”(Lee, 173). As a result, people visualize Tom as an evil person and believe he is responsible for the rape of Mayella. The truth is, the people of Maycomb are judgmental towards him because of his race and due to the rumors that

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