King Arthur Radley Symbolism

In her greatest novel of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee is able to incorporate symbolism when she compares many characters to a simple, once-mentioned mockingbird. These characters include, but are certainly not limited to, Tom Robinson, Mr. Arthur Radley (Boo), and Jeremy Finch (Jem). While Tom and Boo were both Mockingbirds throughout the entire novel, Jem was special due to the fact that he developed into a mature young man from an innocent young boy. Tom Robinson was an amiable, young black man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Living in the hearty South brought upon many hardships, especially when one the many people he helped was a petite young white lady, Mayella, who herself and her father warped a story …show more content…
Mr. Radley was once a bright, fine adolescent boy who was a figure of representation for those in his age group. However, he fell victim to bad habits and after being locked up due to trouble, fell victim to his parents and was locked away in his home until the passing of both parents set him free. Boo, however, remained in his home due to his fear of the outside world and he transformed into this mysterious figure, causing his story to become one of a horror film. Stories were passed around all throughout the quiet town of Maycomb and whenever a peculiar event occurred, Boo became Maycomb’s scapegoat. "Every night sound I heard from my cot on the back porch was magnified three-fold; every scratch of feet on gravel was Boo Radley seeking revenge, every passing Negro laughing in the night was Boo Radley loose and after us; insects splashing against the screen were Boo Radley's insane fingers picking the wire to pieces..." (Lee 55) He was almost constantly victim to fictional tales and his life story was always being warped into some dramatically horrific one. However, Boo never once inflicted harm on any one person within the community. He always kept to himself and at no time interfered with the lives of his