What Does Arthur Radley Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The Mockingbirds
To Kill a Mockingbird is based in the 1930’s, and during the Great Depression era. The plot of this novel takes place in Maycomb Alabama, where it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds are innocent little creatures, that do nothing but sing songs for others to enjoy. However, in this novel, mockingbirds always seem to get hurt. More specifically, the character representations of a mockingbird. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson and Scout Finch as human mockingbirds, and therefore, symbols of innocence.
First, Harper Lee uses Arthur Radley as a symbol of a mockingbird. Arthur Radley is a man whose parents locked him up in the basement for decades. Arthur never engaged in social life, or took the spotlight. The one time he finally left his basement, and comfort zone, he did it to save the purest form of innocence. Jem and Scout. Not only that, but he puts himself in danger with the law to save the lives of these two kids. His innocence was not taken away in the crime, but restored. …show more content…
Tom is a black man accused of raping a white girl. During this time period, even the association of a little white girl with a black man is imposturous. Alabama, where the novel takes place, is full of vicious racists who want nothing more to convict Tom. However, Atticus defends Tom in court as his lawyer. Tom says to Atticus, “She reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face…” (194). This quote shows Tom sharing his side of the story. He is proving his innocence in front of the jury. Tom would never hurt anyone, just like a mockingbird. After the trial, Tom Robinson is convicted because of racism, and is sent to jail. Atticus says, “Tom’s dead... Seventeen bullet holes in him…” (235). Lee uses this quote to furthermore prove that Tom is a mockingbird. The title of her book is To Kill a Mockingbird, and one of the biggest mockingbirds was just
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