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What Does Tom Symbolize The Good In To Kill A Mockingbird

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What Does Tom Symbolize The Good In To Kill A Mockingbird
Is it considered acceptable to kill a person if their only duty is to produce pleasure, and bring beauty to their surroundings? In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the mockingbird symbolizes the good will expressed by certain characters. Throughout the novel, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson reflect the mockingbird through their actions and society’s physical and emotional response to their presence.
Tom Robinson dedicates his life to helping his peers, and being an industrious person, but is still brutally murdered without a sufficient reason due to his race. When Tom is on the stand, Atticus questions the payment Tom received from Mayella for his actions, but Tom calmly replies, “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it… and I knowed she didn’t have no nickels to spare”(256). Tom is willing to offer his assistance to Mayella, but refuses anything in return, just like how a mockingbird unselfishly produces music for its surroundings. Tom’s intention is to improve Mayella’s life with his aid, but is accused of raping her. Tom is not looking to harm anybody, and he feels obligated to offer assistance, yet Maycomb society aligns him to their predetermined stereotypes for the black community. Tom being falsely accused of rape is horrific, but Mr. Underwood was more outraged by the murder. He believes that it is a sin to kill …show more content…
Tom exhibits the mockingbird because of his desire to improve other’s lives, but was still unjustly murdered because of his race. Boo Radley exhibits the characteristics of a mockingbird through his subtle, but generous deeds while being unfairly judged. The murder of a mockingbird is completely cruel and entirely inhumane, but the termination of prejudice and biases through allowing oneself to feel empathy for other’s would prevent
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