In Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the two characters who are symbolic mockingbirds are Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.
Tom Robinson is a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Despite the lack of evidence and the many inconsistencies in the testimony of the witnesses, Tom is found guilty and sentenced to death. Tom’s only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and being a black man in a society that was deeply racist and prejudiced. He is a symbolic mockingbird because, like the bird, he is innocent and has done no wrong. He is kind, gentle, and honest, and he helps others without expecting anything in return. Just as it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do nothing but sing and bring joy to the world, it is a sin to destroy a person like Tom who has done nothing but good.
Boo Radley, on the other hand, is a recluse who is shunned by society. He is feared and misunderstood, and many people in the town believe that he is a dangerous lunatic who should be locked up. However, as the story progresses, we learn that Boo is a kind and gentle soul who has been victimized by his own family and by the society in which he lives. He is a symbolic mockingbird because, like the bird, he is innocent and has done no wrong. He has been unfairly judged and condemned by a society that does not understand him, and he is forced to hide away from the world. Just as it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do nothing but sing and bring joy to the world, it is a sin to destroy a person like Boo who has done nothing but good.
The symbolism of the mockingbird is central to the novel’s theme of innocence and the destructive nature of prejudice and injustice. The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence, and killing it is a sin because it represents the destruction of something pure and good. The mockingbird does not harm anyone; it simply exists to bring joy to the world. In the same way, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are innocent and have done nothing to deserve the persecution they face. Tom is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit simply because he is black, and Boo is ostracized and feared because he is different.
The mockingbird symbol also highlights the destructive nature of prejudice and injustice. Just as it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is a sin to destroy the innocent and the good simply because of their race, gender, social status, or any other superficial characteristic. The society depicted in the novel is deeply prejudiced, and this prejudice leads to the persecution of innocent people like Tom and Boo. The destruction of the mockingbird symbolizes the destruction of innocence and goodness, and the novel suggests that this destruction is caused by the unjust attitudes and actions of society.
In conclusion, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are symbolic mockingbirds in “To Kill a Mockingbird” because they are innocent and have done no wrong. They represent the destruction of innocence and goodness that occurs when prejudice and injustice are allowed to thrive. The mockingbird symbolizes the importance of protecting the innocent and the good, and the novel suggests that we must strive to create a more just and equitable society that values diversity and recognizes the worth of every human being.