Harper Lee\’s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird is an iconic piece of American literature. The novel is about a young girl, Scout Finch, and her brother Jem, who are growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Their father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who is defending an African-American man, Tom Robinson, against a false rape charge. In the novel, Lee uses the characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson to symbolize the mockingbird, a symbol of innocence and purity.

Boo Radley as a Mockingbird

Boo Radley is a character that the children of Maycomb are fascinated by. He is a mysterious figure who has rarely been seen outside of his house. He is seen as a threat by the townsfolk, who view him as a dangerous outsider. In the novel, Boo is a symbol of innocence and purity. He is a victim of the town\’s prejudice and fear, much like Tom Robinson. He is also a victim of his own family\’s neglect and abuse, which has left him a virtual recluse. In many ways, Boo is like a mockingbird, innocent and pure, yet misunderstood and maligned by the people of Maycomb.

Tom Robinson as a Mockingbird

Tom Robinson is another symbol of innocence and purity in the novel. He is an African-American man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Throughout the trial, Tom is portrayed as a sympathetic character, despite the fact that the jury is determined to find him guilty. His innocence is clear to all, yet he is still convicted. Tom\’s story is a heartbreaking example of the injustice and prejudice that existed in Maycomb at the time. Like Boo, Tom is an innocent victim of the town\’s prejudice and fear. He, too, is a mockingbird, innocent and pure, yet persecuted by the townspeople.

Conclusion

Harper Lee\’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that speaks to the power of innocence and purity. The characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are prime examples of this, as they are both symbols of innocence and purity in the novel. Boo is an innocent victim of his family\’s neglect and abuse, while Tom is an innocent victim of the town\’s prejudice. Both characters are symbols of the mockingbird, which is a symbol of innocence and purity in the novel. Ultimately, both characters represent the power of innocence and purity, and the injustice and prejudice of Maycomb society.