In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates how two very different men share very similar lifestyles. Maycomb county not only judges these two men, but they all possess prejudice. Both Tom Robinson and Boo Radley represent the title of this novel because they both carry good hearts, although rumors and myths go around Maycomb about them, and both men are judged by countless strangers who continue to treat them like outcasts, because one man is colored and another appears unusual to Maycomb’s lifestyle. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley represent the title of this novel because they both carry good hearts. “Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good luck pennies, and our lives.” To Kill A Mockingbird (Pg. 278). Boo Radley gave things up for others to feel happiness. “ ‘ I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy’s worked for me for eight years an’ I ain’t had a speck o’ trouble outa him. Not a speck.” (Pg. 195) Mr. Link Deas defended Tom Robinson, knowing that Tom carries a good heart. Although rumors and myths go around Maycomb about Tom and Boo, they still continue to keep to themselves. “ ‘Tom, did you rape Mayella Ewell?’
‘ I did not, suh.’
‘Did you harm her in any way?’
‘ I did not, suh.” ( Pg. 194) Even though Tom Robinson went on trial and was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, he remained respectful and good hearted to people. “As Mr. Radley passed by, Boo drove the scissors into his parents’ leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities.” ( Pg. 11) Although Boo seems unusual and misunderstood to the citizens of Maycomb, he harms no one and keeps to himself. Both men are judged by countless strangers who continue to treat them like outcasts, because one man is colored, and another appears unusual to the “normal” lifestyles of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is hated by most people of Maycomb, because he is colored and suffered through the trial of him being wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. “ ‘Then you ran?’
‘ I sho’ did, suh.’
‘Why did you run?’
‘I was scared, suh.’
‘Why were you scared?’
‘Mr. Finch, if you was a n***er like me, you’d be scared, too.’ “ (Pg. 195) Tom Robinson ran from a white man because he went through discrimination for being a colored man. Boo Radley rarely comes out of his house, therefore the people of Maycomb believe he is crazy, or unusual. “The doors of the Radley house were closed on weekdays, as well as Sundays, and Mr. Radley’s boy was not seen again for fifteen years.” (Pg. 10) Even though Boo Radley stayed inside most of his life, he harmed no one, caused no problems. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley possess very similar lives. Harper Lee demonstrates great comparisons and contrasts between those two characters. Both characters describe the title of the novel by having good hearts, and even though Maycomb possessed prejudice to these men, they remained true to themselves and their beliefs. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley share many common lifestyles and represent the title of the novel greatly.
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