There has never been a period in the history of humanity without the victimization of some categories of people. Harper Lee's book To Kill a Mockingbird is an example of different types of victimization. There are two characters, each of whom is disliked by society in some way. The discrimination against Tom Robinson is based on the man's race. Meanwhile, Boo Radley is not accepted by the majority due to his eccentricity. These two characters are connected because to some extent both are not understood by others. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Two important similarities between Tom and Boo are that they are innocent and their only problem is their difference. Tom is different from the majority because he is “a black man”. Boo's difference is in his attentiveness and appearance: his teeth are "yellow and rotten", his eyes "pop out", and he is very tall. As a result of such non-standard characteristics, both characters suffer. Even though they have done nothing wrong, Boo and Tom are treated with prejudice and damnation. As for innocence, Tom's biggest problem is that he is black while his accuser is white. The woman puts Tom's "life" at stake to "get rid of her sense of guilt". Boo hasn't done anything wrong either: he's genuinely kind to children who manage to initiate communication with him. Despite the similarities, there are also divergent traits in the two characters. First is the race of the two men. As you can see from the plot, skin color can cause a lot of mistrust and judgment. Secondly, the lives that Tom and Boo lead have a different level of openness. The townspeople know a few things about Tom and his family. Meanwhile, Boo's lifestyle is secluded: he only goes out "when it's pitch dark." Therefore, both skin color and divergent lifestyles constitute disparities between the two “mockingbirds.” However, despite these differences, both men experience the same level of hostility from others. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Even though Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are two very different characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, they are both thrushes because society refuses to accept them as they are. Through the actions and lives of the characters, readers can learn about the unfair treatment of people based on prejudicial views and objective, just people ready to defend the rights of others. Both characters are important because they teach the reader how a corrupt character can lead to destroying someone's life. Along with this, Tom and Boo are examples of how one should defend one's uniqueness and opinions. Harper Lee's book discusses many crucial issues in life. The author explains that victimizing a weak member of society should not be justified.