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Tom Robinson is wrongfully convicted of rape and eventually killed in prison, whereas Boo Radley is killed emotionally because he is not accepted by society. Since it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a sin to kill innocent souls like Tom and Boo. When Scout tries to understand why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, Miss Maudie elucidates Atticus’s opinion more clearly by stating, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (103). Mockingbirds sing and make beautiful music; however they mimic the songs of other birds, so they are seen through others. Tom and Boo are like mockingbirds because they are subject to the perceptions of the people of Maycomb. The townspeople knew these characters based on what others said about them. Consequently, Tom and Boo do not have their own “song” and are portrayed by others’ views of them. The mockingbird emerges as a metaphor for the wrong in harming innocent and defenseless people.

Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, is also a victim of stereotyping. Atticus decides to help a black man (Tom Robinson) in court. Because of this decision, the people of Maycomb have a set opinion of Atticus Finch. They say that because he is working for “niggers”, he must be like them. They also say that because he chose to help Tom Robinson, that he doesn’t like white people, and more specifically, Mr. Bob Ewell. One day while strolling back from town, Scout and Jem see Mrs. Dubose. In response to saying hello, Mrs. Dubose says, “’Yes indeed, what has the world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I’ll tell you!’ She put her hand to her mouth. When she drew it

Although deemed by most to be a good parent, Atticus’ lack of supervision affects his children Scout and Jem and even exposes them to danger. Atticus is not a perfect father. He has a full time job that restricts him from being around his kids for most of the day and also puts them in a dangerous position. When Atticus agreed to take on the ‘Tom Robinson case’ he knew full well that he was going to have a lot of tension with people, and even though he did the the right thing by defending an innocent man despite his colour, some may argue that he puts his beliefs before the welfare of his children. This puts the kids in danger because Atticus while losing the case still makes Bob Ewell embarrassed by being shown up like the way he was. This causes a hatred that provokes Bob to hurt Atticus in the deepest possible way, by attacking his children. It was Atticus’ call to decide that he would send Jem to the pageant instead of himself, and that was what ultimately gave Mr. Ewell his chance to get back at Atticus. This shows that Atticus is not the perfect father, if there is such a thing, but proves that even Atticus has flaws or faults to foresee

This family member feels ashamed because of Atticus’ choice. He is labeled in his family for doing his job, thus making him a mockingbird. Atticus was also attacked through his children. Bob Ewell attacked Atticus’ children to get back at Atticus for being a lawyer to protect a black man. “Heck, Atticus Finch. Someone’s been after my children” (Lee 263). This tells us that Bob is attacking Atticus’ children, from the anger he has for Atticus. Atticus did nothing to receive this pain, which proves he is an innocent man. As well is Atticus being a victim of unfair violence and judgment, Boo Radley is treated unfair in this same society.

After the trial, Atticus explains how his kind gesture impacted others. He tells Jem, “if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?” (Lee 180). This quotation shows the direct result of how compassion can affect other people. When faced with the same situation, many people would choose to use unkind words or even physical violence to get revenge on Bob Ewell. This would lead to further conflict and perhaps some regrets as well. Atticus’ actions in this situation prove furthermore how kindness always wins. Although hate and anger are directed at him, he chooses to see the bigger picture and realizes that by not fighting back, he is saving Mayella and the Ewell children from a possible beating. He understands that Bob Ewell needs to take his frustration out on someone and he would rather it be him than the children. In the long run, this makes Atticus a hero, as he chooses compassion over

Tom Robinson represented good, and Bob Ewell represented evil. In Tom Robinson’s case with him being good, for example, Tom assisted Mayella by helping her do chores because she was alone with her many siblings to look after. He only helped Mayella because he knew Mayella was lonely and miserable. Tom would also be an example of a mockingbird because he did nothing wrong. All he did was mind his business and helped a girl, but he was shot and killed anyways. With Bob Ewell, he represented evil, and it started with the fact that he did not care about his children’s appearances. Burris Ewell, Bob’s son did not show any indications of parents caring about him or discipline. Another example of Bob being evil in the story was that he beat up Mayella, his own daughter, and claimed that Tom Robinson was the one who beat up Mayella. Bob also tried to kill Jem and Scout because during the trial, Atticus claimed that Bob was the one who beat up Mayella instead of Tom from the evidence he had. This applies to the coexistence of good and evil because these characters are made good and evil depending on their actions. Tom Robinson didn’t do anything wrong, and Bob Ewell is evil for child abuse and false accusations (Lee,

Initially, Atticus Finch was compared to a mockingbird because it was a sin to mutilate him. Atticus Finch was a inclusive man, and Atticus always taught his children to treat people with regard. Atticus once said, "If you ever see a white man being rude to a colored man, it don't matter how rich he is. "It is wrong." Atticus also had some tough times; for example, he stood up for a colored man who was accused of rape and he took steps against prejudice behavior. Atticus also got verbally and physically abused for standing up, when he defended a colored man who was falsely accused of rape. Atticus worked hard on the case, He never gave up even though it harmed his reputation in the community. Bob Ewell felling Atticus made him look unwise and guilty in the situation. Bob Retaliated by threatening, and spitting in Atticus face. Atticus was a good sport and ended up making

This can be shown in multiple instances throughout the novel. Although Bob is a father, he does not carry out his responsibilities when it comes to caring for his children. For example, he doesn’t make his children attend school so they do not have the proper education. In addition, he is an alcoholic and spends all of the money he has, which is not a lot, on alcohol instead of food, clothes, and other necessities. When he is drunk, he beats his children as well. Failing to carry out his duties as a father is not the only example that proves he has no integrity or moral goodness. Bob also lied under oath about Tom Robinson raping Mayella, when he was the one who actually beat and raped. If he did have moral values, he would have told the truth and took responsibility for his actions. His actions and behavior are shown best when he spits on Atticus and threatens him as a sign of disrespect and hatred for representing a black man in court. In the story, he doesn’t show guilt at all after making the immoral choice to accuse Tom Robinson of rape and beating Mayella. Overall, Bob Ewell does not stand for any morals and therefore is not person of

Although Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell have a few similarities, the main differences are found in the ways that they act. First, Atticus and Bob’s personalities are very different. For instance, Atticus explains his decision to defend Tom Robinson by saying, “…if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (pg. 100). On the contrary, Bob describes the location of the Robinson’s house as, “…in that n****r-nest, passed the house every day. Jedge, I’ve asked this country for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluatin’ my property…” (pg.234). It is clear that Atticus has respect for the dignity of all men, regardless of

Mockingbirds are only here to sing their songs and to bring us joy. A Mockingbird is innocent, without fault and only here to help. “To kill a Mockingbird is a sin.”(119) This is because a Mockingbird is an animal that doesn’t cause harm and has proved to only have a pure heart. Tom Robinson is the predominant Mockingbird. “Tom’s death was like the senseless killing of songbirds.”(241) Since another word for mockingbird is a songbird, this quote is telling us that Tom is like a Mockingbird and that his death wasn’t supposed to happen. The unexpected Mockingbird is Boo Radley. “Atticus looked like he needed cheering up I ran to him and said ‘yes sir, I understand Mr. Tate was right’ he looked at me and said ‘what do you mean’ well it’d sort of be like shooting a Mockingbird.”(318) Clearly Scout is saying that if Maycome were to find out that Boo killed Bob it would probably kill him because Boo delights in being alone. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are the representation of the Mockingbird.

When Bob Ewell first takes the stand it is obvious to all that he is a wasted human being (Lee 230). Harper Lee crafts his image as a man who has no purpose in life, a drunken individual with flagrant disrespect for his own children. But this same image of Mr. Ewell asks the reader for empathy. Initially, one detests him. How could he risk a man’s life simply to hide the fact that he beat his daughter? When Atticus defends Mr. Robinson, he makes this moral dilemma clear to everyone inside the courthouse. But after the trial, Atticus understands that he has ruined this man’s reputation for life. Because he understands Bob Ewell’s unfortunate circumstances, he feels no hatred when the man spits upon him. Atticus’s principled stance even applies to men like Hitler. When Scout asks “But it’s okay to hate Hitler [sic]?” after school one day, Atticus responds: “It is not. It’s not okay to hate anybody” (Lee 330). This word of wisdom comes from Atticus understanding that Hitler has his own personal

The characters Bob Ewell, Miss Gate’s, and Miss Dubose demonstrate the tragedies and horrors associated with racism and prejudice behaviors through the utilization of their actions, beliefs, opinions, and thoughts throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Bob Ewell demonstrates the tragedies and horrors associated with racism and prejudice behaviors through his arrogant attitude towards the African American society of Maycomb, his treatment and harassment of everyone after the trial to avenge his high pride in himself, and the consequences associated with his racist and prejudice behaviors throughout the novel. Bob Ewell looks down on the African American society of Maycomb and feels as if he can take full advantage of them since he is of

Atticus stands constant in his morality and would have been willing to tell the possibly self-incriminating truth about the death of Bob Ewell. He has “tried to live so [he] can look squarely back at [Jem]” (366). Atticus realizes that the way he acts directly impacts the way his children see him, and the behavior of his children, both now and in the future, and therefore does his best to present good morals and ethics. Atticus’ morals have a direct impact on those around him, though his children do not comprehend how particularly extraordinary his character

In Harper Lee’s monumental novel, she draws the comparison between Atticus Finch and Robert E Ewell by the situations that they are found in. Both labeled widowers from the very beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, the many similarities and contrasting differences that can be found are truly what make the theme of situation does not determine success stand out and ring true to all its readers throughout the book. Bob Ewell is a foil character to Atticus as despite the two main characters both losing their partners on the path of life, one of them continues on as a survivor through his pain and teaches his children to the best of his abilities without someone else to depend on; while the other drowns in whiskey and turns to illegal poaching, his mental and physical stability crumbling as he leaves his children to

“When the white kids parents made them go to the white prom, they did that because they thought their kids were too good to share prom’s” (Prom Night, n pg). The parents didn't like the idea of a combined prom because they don't think blacks and whites should be together. “When Bob Ewell tries to stab Jem,and when he spits in Atticus Finch’s face”(Lee pg 359-376, Pg 218).He does that because he thinks he is better everyone else. He also just wants to step on people because it makes him feel higher in society than others.