Examples Of Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

Discrimination has been going on in the world for as long as humans wanted to be superior than one another. People discriminate others blindly and inconsiderate of the other’s feelings. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many forms of discrimination portrayed through the actions and behaviors of the characters in Maycomb. Many characters, such as Scout and Jem, are forced to witness or feel the discrimination and prejudice of Maycomb’s usual disease. Not only does the novel contain racism, but also discrimination in gender roles, economic status, and family background. One of the most obvious forms of discrimination in the novel is gender roles. This could be shown through Scout’s characteristic as a tomboy or also

Many people in Maycomb don’t have jobs that can support themselves or whole family which results in poor living conditions. The difference in wealth and property separates the people in Maycomb and causes them to think superior to others. For example, when Walter Cunningham comes over to the Finch’s house for lunch, Scout starts to make rude comments on his actions. She states that he is “just a Cunningham”(Lee 33). By adding the word “just” to her statement Scout is implying that he does not deserve her respect since he is poor and of low standards. Also, since a child is saying this it shows how discrimination is part of the society. Later in the novel, Aunt Alexandra also tells how she thinks about Walter Cunningham during a conversation with Scout. Aunt Alexandra’s reason for why she does not want Scout to be near a Cunningham, “'Because-he-is-trash, that's why you can't play with him I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what’” (Lee 301). She believes that people of a lower standard are bad influences and are not worthy of being with people of higher standards. Since most of the adults agree with Aunt Alexandra’s statement it is no wonder that Scout became a product of her society at a young age. Even though the Cunninghams are the “trash” of Maycomb they are still not considered to have the lowest economic status. The black people of the society are considered the lowest of the low just because of their race. An example of this can be found during the Tom Robinson case when Tom gives his reason for helping someone like the Ewells, how are white but also considered trash. "‘Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em-’" "‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’" Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling. The witness realized his mistake and shifted uncomfortably in the chair. But the damage was done.