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Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird And Night

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Elise Cournoyer English 9 4B, Bucky June 13, 2024. Violations of the Human Right to “Freedom of Discrimination” Present in Literature, as Well as Today From classroom remarks to protests and wars, discrimination exists virtually everywhere. For centuries, humans have been put down by other humans for things they can’t control, whether that be their race, sexuality, socio-economic status, gender, et cetera. This is essentially the definition of discrimination—the unjust treatment of others. As such prejudice is so prominent in today’s culture, works both fictional and non-fictional exhibit the topic. Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and Elie Wiesel’s “Night,” are just a few examples of these works. …show more content…

This statistic is certainly reflected in The House on Mango Street, offering a clear example of sexism, a form of discrimination. Esperanza also tells the story of Sally, a girl who is not only abused by her father, but stuck in a twisted marriage predicament at a young age. According to Esperanza, “her father says being this beautiful is trouble” (81). Ultimately, Sally goes to live with Esperanza’s family for a short time to escape her father’s wrath. Sally’s situation is an example of the traumatic treatment that too many children on Mango Street experienced from their parents or elders. As Mango Street was such an unmaintained, run-down place, crimes and discriminatory acts were easy to get away with. Therefore, sexism, whether it be in the form of assault or microaggressions, is far too common. As the issue grows today, it is essential for us to not take part in sexist beliefs or systems, for the betterment of humanity. Classism and racism were also forms of discrimination present in The House on Mango Street. Esperanza’s family was Hispanic, for which they received lots of prejudice from others in the poor town. Examples of racism are strewn across the story, but the

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“No, this isn’t my house I say and shake my head as if shaking could undo the year I’ve lived here (Cisneros 106).” This quote shows Esperanza’s unwillingness of accepting her poor neighbourhood because of the violence and inequality that has happened in it. In the House on Mango Street, the author, Sandra Cisneros, shows that there is a direct link between inequality, violence and poverty. The House on Mango Street shows women are held back by the inequalities that they face. Cisneros shows that racism prevents individuals from receiving job opportunities which leads to poverty and violence.

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