“To Kill a Mockingbird”, written by Harper Lee, is about rebellion against social standards in pursuit of an ideal society, and reveals that society needs to be improved. The differences between an equal and fair society, and its then current status are demonstrated through conflicts between innocent, unbiased children, such as Scout and Dill, and adults who have adopted society’s stereotypes. Throughout the novel, concepts of racial, social, and gender inequality, which are prevalent in the town of Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930’s, are confronted in this manner.
The novel revolves around racial inequality and discrimination, which is exemplified in Tom Robinson’s court case. Tom Robinson was accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, and throughout the trial, he is
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Dill’s response to the action in the courtroom displays how he rejects the notion that different races should be treated unequally. This is further supported when Jem cries after the verdict was announced, because Tom was convicted solely due to his race. However, this opinion directly conflicts with the opinion of the majority of the other court-goers, adults whom had adopted society’s stereotypes that African Americans are inferior to whites. These citizens were described as cheerful after the verdict, and the majority of the town people thought that Atticus was wrong to defend Tom. The children’s rebellion against social standards involving race demonstrates how they are willing to fight for a more ideal, unbiased society, an idea which persists throughout the novel. The concept of racial inequality is also present in the relationship between Aunt Alexandra, Scout’s traditional aunt who cares deeply about image, Scout and Calpurnia, the family’s African American cook. Scout views Calpurnia as a person to be looked up to, and sees no problem with socializing with her