Boo Radley Symbolism

To Kill a Mockingbird is a famous novel written by Harper Lee in the year 1960. Lee used the book as a way to express her thoughts on many moral/ethical issues, especially racism. Seeing how this was a very hot topic at the time, provided all the issues black people faced, such as Jim crow laws, along with the overall denial of their rights. The main symbol of the novel is a mockingbird, which alludes to innocence and good intentions. The way this novel sheds light on the stigma of mental illness with the character, Boo Radley, is another way that this book exposes the prejudices in the world. Although Boo is nothing but an urban legend to the main characters, this dynamic changes throughout the novel as he reaches out to them, becoming more of a person rather than the animal they see him as. This book is the pinnacle of literary perfection, demonstrating deeper-than-a-mud-puddle symbolism, philosophical …show more content…
Jem, for example, had heard many bad things about the mysterious Boo Radley, causing them to misjudge him as something of a freak. Not only that, but he is also referred to as a “malevolent phantom” by the kids, due to him being mysterious and a recluse. However, unbeknownst to the kids, Boo has watched them grow up and truly wishes to protect and defend the two of them from harm. This is why Boo Radley represents misconception. While the children had misjudged him and saw him a certain way due to what they had heard, Boo had wanted to protect them and he cared for them. This is later shown when Boo manages to defend and protect the Finch children from Bob Ewell. Afterward, Scout mentions that “...It would be kind of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 370) because, he only wanted to care for and protect the kids. In conclusion, Boo, despite everything, he still protected them even after their