Immigrants from all over the world come to America with the idea of freedom in mind. Frequently, people think of the type of freedom found in America as a life without constraints, a place where they can express their opinions and act without judgement. The New Oxford English Dictionary defines freedom as “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint” (“Freedom”). The promise of freedom in America brings hope. However, this hope is not always fulfilled. Throughout American history, people have fought for many freedoms. While the government integrates these freedoms into laws, people hoping for a life “without hindrance” may find that, many times, they still run into obstacles that challenge their freedoms.
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In Mr. Gilmer’s cross examination, he reveals what happened between him and Mayella: “‘You did all this chopping and work from sheer goodness, boy?’ ‘Tried to help her’ ‘…did all this for not one penny?” ‘Yes suh. I felt right sorry for her…’” (Lee 225). Tom’s answer of “Tried to help her” reveals he did the chores she asked him to do out of the kindness of his heart. In fact, he even “felt right sorry for her” because Mayella never had any help with her work. His actions indicate his kind nature and disposition and reveal how he resembles a mockingbird. Additionally, Tom Robinson loses the court case even though he did not commit the crime. This conviction relates to the statements Atticus and Miss Maudie said, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 103). Tom Robinson never intruded or did anything that bothered the people around him. Scout even notes his manners during the trial: “… Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s” (Lee 222). Lastly, Mr. B.B. Underwood’s article addresses the death of Tom Robinson: “Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples… He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children…” (Lee 276). The “sin to kill cripples” relates to the “sin to kill a mockingbird”. Mr. Underwood implies how Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird and how Bob Ewell commits a sin by senselessly slaughtering the mockingbird. Thus, Tom Robinson represents a freedom from the Southern racial views by changing to break the barrier between the
In Mr. Gilmer’s cross examination, he reveals what happened between him and Mayella: “‘You did all this chopping and work from sheer goodness, boy?’ ‘Tried to help her’ ‘…did all this for not one penny?” ‘Yes suh. I felt right sorry for her…’” (Lee 225). Tom’s answer of “Tried to help her” reveals he did the chores she asked him to do out of the kindness of his heart. In fact, he even “felt right sorry for her” because Mayella never had any help with her work. His actions indicate his kind nature and disposition and reveal how he resembles a mockingbird. Additionally, Tom Robinson loses the court case even though he did not commit the crime. This conviction relates to the statements Atticus and Miss Maudie said, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 103). Tom Robinson never intruded or did anything that bothered the people around him. Scout even notes his manners during the trial: “… Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s” (Lee 222). Lastly, Mr. B.B. Underwood’s article addresses the death of Tom Robinson: “Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples… He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children…” (Lee 276). The “sin to kill cripples” relates to the “sin to kill a mockingbird”. Mr. Underwood implies how Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird and how Bob Ewell commits a sin by senselessly slaughtering the mockingbird. Thus, Tom Robinson represents a freedom from the Southern racial views by changing to break the barrier between the