Examples Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

12/6/11

Wayne Dyer once said, “Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lie beyond appearances.” With judgment as a reoccurring theme, Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird consists of great resemblances between the characters Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. In the novel, killing a mockingbird is considered a symbol of destruction of innocence. Many “mockingbirds” exist in the story, which takes place in the Deep South in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930’s. The novel depicts the life of its young narrator Jean Louise "Scout" Finch and the events surrounding a trial for Tom Robinson, an African American
Boo’s signs of generosity are displayed in several ways. Atticus says, “Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.” “Thank who”? “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you (96).” Boo shows a generous side of him that cares about others in this scene. Near the end of the novel, Scout says, “Mr. Ewell was tryin’ to squeeze me to death, I reckon…then somebody yanked Mr. Ewell down (361).” Boo’s pure generosity in his heart causes him to save Jem and Scout from being killed by Mr.Ewell. Tom Robinson’s signs of generosity are displayed through his actions towards Mayella, Tom’s accuser. When Tom is asked if he is paid by Mayella for his services, he replies, “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn’t have no nickels to spare (256).” Tom helped Mayella out of true compassion and generosity without expecting anything in return. Another similarity is that Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are both unfairly judged because of their “differences” from the people of Maycomb. Boo Radley is a man who prefers to live in isolation and never be seen outside of his house. Since the people of the town see that he is different than them, they create the
The two characters resemble mockingbirds in the way that they are harmless because they never caused trouble for anybody. Boo Radley can be compared to the harmless mockingbird described by Atticus and Mrs. Maudie. Mrs. Maudie says, “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (119).” Thus, Boo Radley and mockingbirds are alike as Boo never hurts anyone and primarily keeps to himself. Scout says, “Boo doesn’t mean anybody harm, but I’m glad you’re along (251).” He does nothing to really hurt anyone and always tries to search for love and friendship from others. He is shown to be kind towards others as he saves the lives of the Finch kids and places a blanket around Scout when it was cold outside. It is a sin to kill a Mockingbird that just sings for people’s enjoyment as it’s considered a sin to judge people by outside things. Similar to Boo Radley and mockingbirds, Tom never harms a soul. He risks his own safety by helping Mayella because of the true kindness of his heart and desire to help someone in need. During the trial, Mr. Link Deas says, “That boy’s worked for me eight years an’ I ain’t had a speck o’ trouble outa him. (261).” People assume that of course any