In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee characterizes Tom Robinson as a man who demonstrates the truth that harming something or someone who does no harm to society is wrong. Lee compares Robinson to a mockingbird in that both Tom and the the mockingbird both do no harm to society. Rather, these “mockingbirds” help people in whatever way they can. Whether it be busting up a chiffarobe or singing a beautiful song on a quiet Sunday afternoon, killing a so-called “mockingbird” is most definitely a sin.
Lee does an excellent job displaying Tom in the story as being a kind and helpful African-American man. Lee shows him as having only made one major mistake: He once was beaten in a fight with another black man and spent thirty days in jail for disorderly …show more content…
During the court case, Mr. Ewell goofs off and shows a level of immaturity inappropriate for the courtroom. On the other hand, Tom quietly and respectfully answers most all of Atticus’ and Mr. Gilmer’s questions. Lee also shows the kind and respectful side of Tom through this trial scene. She mentions that Tom helped Mayella often. Not for money, but out of the kindness of his heart. He refuses to take Mayella’s money even when she offers it to him. This shows that he has a kind heart.
According to Mr. Underwood, killing Tom was useless; “[Mr Underwood] likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds.” (Lee 275) Killing Tom was comparable to kill a crippled songbird. Earlier in the book, Miss Maudie tells Jem: “Shoot at all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 103) It is especially wrong to shoot a “mockingbird” such as Tom seventeen times. That is just plain inhumane.
Tom represents a mockingbird because he is harmless to society and innocent and only means to help and bring joy to others. He is shown as a very kind person who would never intentionally harm someone. His death to say the least was a tragedy in
Lee does an excellent job displaying Tom in the story as being a kind and helpful African-American man. Lee shows him as having only made one major mistake: He once was beaten in a fight with another black man and spent thirty days in jail for disorderly …show more content…
During the court case, Mr. Ewell goofs off and shows a level of immaturity inappropriate for the courtroom. On the other hand, Tom quietly and respectfully answers most all of Atticus’ and Mr. Gilmer’s questions. Lee also shows the kind and respectful side of Tom through this trial scene. She mentions that Tom helped Mayella often. Not for money, but out of the kindness of his heart. He refuses to take Mayella’s money even when she offers it to him. This shows that he has a kind heart.
According to Mr. Underwood, killing Tom was useless; “[Mr Underwood] likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds.” (Lee 275) Killing Tom was comparable to kill a crippled songbird. Earlier in the book, Miss Maudie tells Jem: “Shoot at all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Lee 103) It is especially wrong to shoot a “mockingbird” such as Tom seventeen times. That is just plain inhumane.
Tom represents a mockingbird because he is harmless to society and innocent and only means to help and bring joy to others. He is shown as a very kind person who would never intentionally harm someone. His death to say the least was a tragedy in