Discuss the parallel plots of boo radley and tom robinson in the novel. what connects these plots, and why is it important to understand how one relates to the other? your answer should be at least 200 words.

The main similarity between Boo Radley and Tom Robinson is the fact that although they both had good intentions and wanted to help others, they were judged harshly and misunderstood by society.

Boo Radley has a bad reputation around town, and is consider something of a villain in the town's stories. The kids make up crazy lies about him, due to a mixture of curiosity and fear. He is painfully shy and occassionally violent, which means he does not interact with the community often. This, in turn, causes people to be even more scared of him.

Tom Robinson has a similarly bad reputation, but for different reasons. He does not have a reputation as a bad individual, but as an individual from a bad class of people, African Americans. He has not committed any bad action, but people judge him harshly and assume he is a criminal due to their racial prejudices.

Both characters strive to do good and help others throughout the book. Tom Robinson tries to stay out of everybody's way, and only gets in trouble because he feels obligated to help Mayella. Boo Radley similarly helps the children many times, most importantly, when he saves their lives. However, both characters are misunderstood and face a life of pain because of the people's prejudice. Both characters could also be considered "mockingbirds," because the only thing they do is sing (try to be good and do good). Their parallel plots are extremely important as they encompass the main themes of the book.

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the miracle worker themeswilliam gibson

themes and meanings

(comprehensive guide to drama)

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there are two central themes in  the miracle worker: that the human spirit can triumph over even the most daunting of disabilities and that a dedicated teacher can transform the lives of those with whom he or she comes into contact. these inspirational themes have long been personified in the widely known true-life relationship between helen keller and annie sullivan, but  the miracle worker  also dramatizes collateral issues that extend beyond the particular case. underlying helen’s process of learning basic principles of what annie terms “obedience” (decorum, etiquette, and hygiene), there are more universal lessons of self-governance—the inculcation of self-restraint instead of willfulness, the development of self-discipline instead of self-indulgence. only when these lessons have been mastered can helen begin to acquire language—which, annie says, “is to the mind more than light is to the eye.”