Figurative Language In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Example

the book, Scout finally encounters Boo Radley after he helps her and Jem escape Mr. Ewell's clutches. However, she discovers that her preconceived notions about him are false. Ultimately, she realizes that the rumors spread by their neighbors do not accurately represent who Boo Radley truly is.Tom Robinson's only crime was cutting wood and helping Mayella Ewell. Similarly to Boo Radley, Tom never harmed anyone. Despite risking his own safety, he assisted Mayella because she needed him. Accusing Robinson of raping Mayella felt like shooting a mockingbird. Unfortunately, to the people of Maycomb County, he was just a sorry African American who committed an unspeakable act. Tom represented the black community in American society during that time and became a victim of racism. Like Boo Radley, Tom's character was defined by the rumors circulating in Maycomb County. After being accused of rape, he became perceived as an evil beast by most of the townspeople. During the trial, Bob Ewell pointed at Tom and claimed, "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin on my Mayella." This statement by Mr. Ewell portrayed Tom as an animal who had tormented and violated his daughter. Throughout the trial, Tom was consistently depicted in this manner due to the prevalent racist mindset in Maycomb. Despite ample evidence proving his innocence, Tom, being a black man, knew he would be denied justice. Atticus further reinforced this notion when he explained to Jem that in their courts, in a dispute between a white man and a black man, the white man always prevailed.(p.220) In general, the prevailing mindset among most Americans at the time was that black people did not have their

own music. Instead, their songs were sung by others based on their beliefs about them. Similar to Boo Radley, people only knew Tom Robinson through hearsay. In the book, Boo Radley serves as a smaller version of Tom Robinson. Boo is the outsider in the neighborhood, while Tom is the outcast in society. Throughout the trial, Scout and Jem firmly believe in Tom Robinson's innocence. They see him for who they think he is and are ignorant of the realities of racism. They do not find the trial to be fair because they believe there is evidence favoring Tom Robinson. However, towards the end of the book, Scout discovers the same unfairness when she finally meets Boo Radley and realizes how unjust she had been towards him. In reality, Boo contradicts everything that the children had believed about him. The fact that no one acknowledged the unfair treatment of Tom Robinson intensifies the tragedy of his death. Harper Lee uses the mockingbird as a symbol for both Tom and Boo. When Atticus informs Jem and Scout that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, he is referencing the harm inflicted upon Tom and Boo.It is considered sinful to dislike Tom and Boo based on hearsay about them. The people in Maycomb punished them because they lacked their own voice. The author, Lee, wants to convey to readers that there are many individuals in society who lack a voice. Just like killing a mockingbird is sinful, killing those without a voice is also considered sinful. Scout learns that it is wrong to make assumptions about Boo Radley. It is unfortunate that the people of Maycomb

did not recognize their unjust treatment of Tom Robinson. The shooting of a mockingbird allows readers to witness the consequences. (Bibliography: [Author'sLastName], [Author'sFirstName], et al.)