Prejudice is a destructive force that can be seen in various forms in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. One form of prejudice that is present in the novel is racial prejudice, which is directed towards the black community in Maycomb, Alabama, where the story takes place. The white community in Maycomb holds negative attitudes and beliefs towards the black community, viewing them as inferior and undeserving of the same rights and treatment as whites. This is exemplified in the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, in which he is not given a fair trial due to the racial prejudice of the jury and the judge.
Another form of prejudice that is present in the novel is prejudice based on social class. The Finch family, who are the main characters in the story, are considered to be part of the upper class in Maycomb, while the Ewells, who are also a significant part of the story, are viewed as part of the lower class. The Ewells are depicted as dirty, lazy, and uneducated, and are treated with disdain by those in the upper class. This prejudice is seen when the Ewells are allowed to get away with breaking the law, while Tom Robinson is falsely accused and punished for a crime he did not commit.
Prejudice also exists within the community based on gender roles. Women in Maycomb are expected to fulfill traditional gender roles, such as taking care of the household and children, while men are expected to be the breadwinners and have authority over their families. This is seen in the character of Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single father, who is admired and respected in the community for his intelligence and integrity. However, his daughter Scout faces prejudice and criticism for not fitting the traditional gender roles expected of a girl her age.
Overall, prejudice is a major theme in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and is depicted in various forms, including racial prejudice, social class prejudice, and prejudice based on gender roles. These prejudices lead to injustice and inequality in the society depicted in the novel, and the characters who stand against it, such as Atticus Finch, serve as examples of how to challenge and overcome such destructive forces.
How is prejudice shown in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Each is discriminated against either because of the color of their skin, who they represent in court, or just how much they isolate themselves from the town. This instance of prejudice is used to show that all forms of prejudice are bad. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee shows us how the evils of prejudice impact on the lives of innocent people such as Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson. There was a smell of pigpen about, and when I glanced around I discovered that these men were strangers. Gates shows, Scout learns that people may be more complex than they seem at first, and that one never really gets to know someone until you see them outside of their own daily life. Throughout the course of the novel racial injustice was a very large theme, although scout herself might have been completely oblivious to it. Gilmer who is the lead prosecutor, talks down on Tom simply because he is black.
List of To Kill a Mockingbird characters
She gets into trouble with Miss Caroline, her teacher because she is expected to learn reading and writing her way. Only when Scout talks to him about his son and how much he owes to Atticus does he reconsider and call off the mob. Although racial inequality is clearly illustrated in the in the injustice, prejudice, discrimination and antagonism surrounding the Tom Robinson trial, it is also shown more subtly throughout the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 15. Aunt Alexandra decides to leave her husband at the Finch family homestead, Finch's Landing to come to stay with Atticus. I liked it the first time, loved it the second time, and now appreciate it even more 17 years later.
Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird with Examples
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Much like Atticus, Miss Maudie looks at life from a moral perspective; she actually recites a Bible verse to the Baptists to illustrate that God finds her garden beautiful regardless of what they think. A great divide is crossed, the seeming unbridgeable divide of prejudice, as she comes to understand him—as Atticus would put it, she sees the world through his eyes and walks around in his skin for a bit. As Atticus told his children, she knew that she was beaten, but she still found it within herself to fight no matter what. Works Cited Hutami, Wening, T. In addition, Atticus Finch is another victim of prejudice in the novel. Again, this is just another one of the many example of prejudice portrayed in the movie. This signifies that Scout believes Walter and the rest of his family are below her in a sense because they are extremely poor.
