To Kill A Mockingbird Essay First Draft

Submitted By monicagwald11
Words: 1337
Pages: 6
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"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... That is why its a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee, 98). In the book To Kill A Mockingbird it represents racism, prejudice and hatred to the 2 most innocent characters Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Although Boo and Tom differ with respect to their confidence with society, they share the similar characteristics of being good natured and being descriminated.

Both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley get accused im many situations within the novel. Firstly they are victoms of faulse accusations. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell meanwhile all the man was doing was a good deed. In court Mayella states "That nigger yonder took advantage of me" (180) attempting to prove the rape situation made up in her mind. He is simply depicted as a rapest just because Mayella, a white women said so. Before he even steps into court he is seen guilty in the eyes of Maycomb county meanwhile he is an innocent man with good intentions. He is punished for simply doing a good thing which is twisted by Mayella into a web of lies. Fased with a similar situation, Boo Radley is also accused. A known rumor in Maycomb is that Boo Radley killed his own parents, simply because he is the town's outcast. It is believed that "Boo drove the scissors right into his parents leg, pulled them out, whiped them on his pants and resumes his activities" (11). Based on the rumors and Boo's creepy and mysterious exterior, this stereotype labels him as crazy. It's inferred in the novel that he didnt actually kill his parents but no one takes the time to figure out the truth of what actually happened. Both characters actions are good but are interperted as evil.
Not only are they accused of doing bad things but they are accused of being bad people. To begin, Tom Robinson is now seen as a filthy black man with nothing to give but evil. "You did all this chopping and hard work from sheer goodness, boy?" (197). This shows that Mr.Gilmer does not think Tom is hard working and a good enough person to do that work for Mayella. As they see him as a rapest, they can't believe he is a good person doing good deeds. In the novel Boo Radley is also seen as a crazy bad man, who is feared by all of Maycomb. Scout describes him as "A malevolent phantom" (5). Although noone knows much about Boo they still think of him as a night prowler, a cat eater and a skeleton like ghost of a person. Boo Radley is a mirror to Tom Robinson, because they are both not seen as human beings simply because they are outcast, whom have rumors believed by the whole town.

Although Tom Robinson and Boo Radley mirror eachother whithin the society, Tom Robinson apears to be a more confident person. Tom stands up for himself, is a hard worker and likes to do things for other people. In court he clearly states that he did not rape Mayella. "Tom did you rape Mayelle Ewell?" "I did not, suh." "Did you harm her in any way?" "I did not, suh" (194). Tom shows plenty of courage because although he new he couldnt win the trial, he still tried and to him thats all that counted. He is confident in himself because he is an innocent man and displays courage while doing so. Tom does not let the court or Maycomb define who he is. On the other hand Boo Radley is a very quiet man who does not show much confidence or courage within himself. In fact he spent most of his life locked up without any say in the world. Jem explains "I think im begining to understand why Boo Radley stayed shut up in his house all the time... Its because he wants to stay inside" (227). Boo seems very scared of the world and appears not to have self-confidence. Boo lets Maycomb define him as a monster and shows no attempts to prove them wrong. He just takes it, as it seems he even believes it himself.
Not only is Tom more confident than Boo but he is also more social. Tom works everyday and helps others around the town. When Tom dies, his importance in the negro society is evident
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