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Boo radley in to kill a mockingbird innocence
3 ethical dilemmas in killing a mockingbird
To kill a mockingbird movie analysis
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There is no law without justice yet "…it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (chp 10). In E. Harper Lee's The Mocking Bird, Sheriff Tate is forced with the challenge of deciding whether or not to cover up Bob Ewell's death in the children's defense. In the story, he decides to "…Let the dead bury the dead." (chp 30). Sherriff Tate's choice to cover up for Arthur 'Boo' Radley is the right choice because Boo Radley did the morally right thing, the situation would be a waste of resources, and it would have brought unwanted commotion to the town.
"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." (chp 10). Scout and Jem were minding their own business and enjoying their time but Mr. Ewell obstructed them. Scout and Jem were just as harmless as the mockingbirds while providing the community their friendly company. Mr. Ewell was a lethal threat to the children, and had attacked them out of hatred from Atticus. Boo noticed the children's need of help and with good moral intentions, engaged Bob in combat. Mr. Tate comments on how "I [he] never heard tell that it's against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent crime from being committed…" (chp 30). Sheriff Tate, who understands the law and is an enforcer of it agrees on how Boo handled the situation without breaking the law. Boo risked his life and even more of his bad reputation to save the children. Law-abiding heroes should be treated with regard and respect not a trial and possible jail sentence. Mr. Ewell's intentions were illegal and what he had done to harm the black community has be...
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...n. Boo is a human being as well, not a selfless killing machine. Boo's heroic act should be rewarded and if he prefers the solitude of home, so shall it be.
It is evident that Arthur "Boo" Radley is a free innocent man. The supposed monster of the community has risen out of his quiet domain to save the children. Bob Ewell was looking to do lethal harm and his plan has been thwarted. Officer Tate understood Boo's reputation around the community and decided to hush Mr. Ewell's death to stop future implications. Hard work does not come from anywhere and putting an innocent man in the box would be wasting community resources and time. Boo did the morally right thing and he put his life on the line to defend the children. Arthur "Boo" Radley was a hero that day and Officer Tate covering up for him was the least he could do.
Works Cited
To Kill a Mockingbird
First impressions of people are often lasting impressions, especially in the minds of children. Many times these impressions, aided by misunderstanding and prejudgment, cause unjust discrimination against an individual. To kill a Mockingbird depicts the themes of misunderstanding and prejudice that portray Arthur (Boo) Radley as a villain. Through the progressive revelation of Radley's character, the children realize that their negative impressions and fear of him were unfounded. Through gradual stages of change, from total misunderstanding of Boo, to a realization of an error in judgment, to a reevaluation followed by a change of heart, to a growing trust and acceptance of Boo, and finally to an appreciation of his true character, Jem's, Scout's, and Dill's impressions of Radley are dramatically altered.
It teaches them to not be prejudice and get to know a person before making a judgement. Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, was frowned upon by many people in the Maycomb community. He was rumoured to have been locked in the basement by his father and older brother after an incident involving scissors. Though never seen stepping outside his house, he intrigues yet also frightens Scout, Jem and their friend Dill. After different events in the novel, the children come to find that Boo Radley is not intimidating, but a man who due to his father, is emotionally damaged. Miss Maudie, a neighbour of the Finch’s, explains to Scout that "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.” The mockingbird is a symbol for innocent people, who are judged for no reason. Like the mockingbird, Boo Radley has people prejudiced against him when he is an innocent man. By using this metaphor, the reader is able to understand the link between Boo Radley and the innocence and morality. As well as the mockingbird, he also symbolises goodness. By secretly watching over Scout and Jem, he protects them from later being attacked by Bob Ewell, a symbol of evil. When Jem and Scout begin to trust Boo, they are paying the highest tribute they could pay him.
He is a mockingbird because he does no harm to anybody except for Bob Ewell. Mockingbirds don't do harm, rather they bring pleasure and comfort to people. Atticus even says "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee 90). He says this because Mockingbirds are so innocent just like Boo. Miss Maudie even adds to Atticus saying "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 90). This quote relates to Boo because instead of singing, Boo was like a mockingbird in his house leaving gifts and helping the children. For example, he leaves gum and coins for the children and when Jem was running and got his pants hooked on the fence, Boo folded it nicely and left it there for him. This represents how Boo is a very innocent and loving
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the main plot, the Tom Robinson case, parallels that of the Boo Radley subplot in many ways. In the Tom Robinson plot, Tom, a black man, gets falsely accused of savagely beating and raping Miss Mayella Ewell, a 19 year old girl who lives in poverty with her father, Bob Ewell, and her many younger siblings. Though the evidence points to Bob Ewell as the abuser, the townsfolk, including the jury, take the Ewell’s word over Tom’s purely because of his skin color. The subplot in this novel is focused on Arthur “Boo” Radley, the mysterious neighbor of the Finch family. They know very little about him, as he hasn’t left his house in many years. In the midst of the Tom Robinson case, the Boo Radley subplot trails off, almost
“Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). [1] Atticus is not a fan of blue jays because they are annoying and harm other birds. [4] Attacking Jem, Bob Ewell was trying to kill a child, whose father Bob did not prefer. [6] Boo Radly killed Bob. “To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin him with his shy ways into the limelight- to me that is a sin.” (370) [3] Surprisingly, the Heck Tate is trying to hide Boo, because Heck did not want people talking about Boo in a negative way. [5] Bob Ewell was slowly losing more respect from everyone else, in his life from the trial, and abusing his daughter. [5] When people do not like someone that make the person a blue jay, the people of Maycomb did not like Bob Ewell.
middle of paper ... ... This is why it is considered a sin to kill one. Jem Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley can all be seen as “mockingbirds”. They never attempt to hurt anyone, yet Tom Robinson was framed for rape, Boo Radley was unlawfully labeled as a vague recluse and the innocence of Jem Fitch was unfairly stolen due to the evil nature of society.
Early in the story Boo was just the subject of talk and myths but we learn more about him soon after.
“ ‘Jem see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred credibility at the trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of a comeback, his kind always does. So 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 ’” (23.15) Atticus Finch had exposed the bad men in the community to his children but selflessly found room to feel sorry for Bob because of how he treats his children. The children were able to learn from Atticus by being able to understand what was being said but realize that not everyone is as fortunate as them and don't always have the moral understand like Atticus has taught them 'Scout, I think I'm beginning to understand something. I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time. It's because he wants to stay inside.'" Page 227. Jem had recognized that not everyone can cope with the world they live in, being all caught up in hate, racism and distrust that it's better for people like that to stay inside, away from the horrid things of the world which is society. Adults are capable of judging and and not forgiving
To cause the death of one or more human beings is the act known as killing – this is not what is mentioned in the bible. If your own life or the life of someone else is at risk, you have the obligation to defend yourself, even if that would result in the death of your assailant. In our case, Bob Ewell had the intentions to hurt the children, maybe even wanting to end their lives, which resulted in Jem’s broken arm and the death of Bob Ewell. Boo Radley did what had to be done and put a stop to Mr. Ewell, however, if word got out that Boo Radley “killed” Mr. Ewell, who, besides Atticus and his family, would take the side of Boo Radley? Scout tells us that “Well, it 'd be sort of like shootin ' a mockingbird, wouldn 't it?” (Lee 317). In this scene, Atticus is not one hundred percent sure if Scout truly understands the whole situation, however, to Atticus’s surprise, Scout makes the comparison with Boo Radley to a mockingbird. The same way a mockingbird never harmed a soul, the same can be said about Boo Radley. It would be a sin if a day would come when Boo is brought to trial for the death of Bob Ewell, while he was only trying to protect the lives’ of Scout and
Near the end of the book, Bob Ewell was trying to kill Jem and Scout because he wanted to get his revenge against Atticus. Mr. Tate, Atticus, and Scout had figured out Boo Radley was the one who was protecting the children and killed Bob Ewell. They figured it would not be right to bring Boo and his shy ways into a courtroom to plead not guilty. Especially since he did it out of good, protecting Jem and Scout, giving them life. At the end of chapter 30, Atticus tells Scout, “‘Scout. Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?’ . . . . ‘Yes sir, I understand. Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?’” (Lee 370). This quote represents how everyone felt it would be immoral to punish Boo for protecting the children and what is left of their innocence from the evils of the world. It is like saying, these children do not need their innocence anymore, which is untrue because that is what needs to be defended the most. Boo did nothing but a great service to Atticus and Maycomb County, so punishing him would be like destroying the shield of these children. In conclusion, it is sinful to harm those who only
Bob Ewell decided to get back at Atticus for the Tom Robinson case by attacking his kids. Boo Radley saved Scout and Jem by stabbing Bob, but Heck Tate is insistent on saying that Bob fell on his knife. Atticus agrees and then explains the situation to Scout. Scout explained to him, “‘Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him. ‘
... Tate wanted to protect him. In this situation, there is no possible way that justice would be served. If Boo had been sent to court, he would be guilty exclusively because of rumors and the situation, even though he was just protecting the kids. And if he would not be sent to court, it is still not the truth. But in this situation, injustice is clearly okay. Mr. Ewell got what he deserved, and almost everyone walked away unharmed, including Boo. Of course what Mr. Tate claimed that happened wasn’t completely true, it was still the necessary action needed to be taken in order to keep the whole situation fair. Atticus would definitely not like this if he knew so being that he is always one for fairness, but had come to accept this fact through Mr. Tate’s persuasion. Overall, this is the only situation throughout the whole novel in which injustice is truly justice.
During the fire that burned Miss Maudie’s house down, Boo Radley was most probably watching from his window. Seeing that Scout so young and in the cold, he decided to help her out. “‘– Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.’ ‘Thank who?’ I asked. ‘Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you did not know when he put the blanket around you.’” (81). Boo Radley did not want Scout to catch a cold, or be sick in any way, shape, or form. He knew that putting a blanket around her would do the trick, and without being blinded by the fact that his act of going outside could possibly get him attention, something that he does not want. This act would have been heroic if done by anyone, whether they were secretive or not. But the fact that Boo Radley set aside his wants/beliefs just to cover one cold girl is a undervalued, valiant thing for him to do. Not everyone is this caring for the Finch children, especially after the trial. The trial defaced Bob Ewell, and put him in a worse place that he was in before. Maycomb, although they do not declare or stand up for it, knows that Bob Ewell was in the wrong this time. They become slightly passive aggressive and made his life just a little bit more difficult. He takes his anger on the world, the trial and Attics, out on Jem and Scout. He plots a murder, to kill Atticus’ children. He does this not knowing that they have an angel watching them, an angel that will do anything to protect. This angel flipped the murder scene around. Instead of Bob Ewell being the murderer, he became the one getting murdered. Boo Radley (the angel) murdered Bob Ewell with a kitchen knife in order to keep Jem and Scout safe. “Before he went inside the house, he stopped in front of Boo Radley. ‘Thank you for my children Arthur.’” This was said by Atticus to Boo, after the scene was settled. This shows that Atticus does not care what society has to say
He gets over his fear of the community of Maycomb County and does what is right and just. Boo is completely aware of the rumours about him, yet he continues to be a kind, selfless man who expects nothing in return for his generosity. “ ‘Thank you,’ I asked. The ‘Boo Radley’ is a.
Atticus has a hard time choosing whether to tell the town that Bob Ewell died of an accident, or whether his son or Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Atticus is a famous lawyer in Maycomb and he believes in legal justice. Atticus learns what had really happened from Scout?s explanation of what she had seen, and heard when Bob Ewell attacked them while walking back from the school play. He understood that Bob Radley killed Bob Ewell in order to save Jem?s life. Atticus does not want to send Boo to court for the fact that Boo saved his children?s life.