Examples Of Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, Lee expresses inequality between people often causes people to judge one another. Scout, the main character, is a strong opinionated, young girl, with many thoughts on other characters throughout the book. An important theme that develops throughout the novel is inequality often causes judgement between people who aren’t acquainted, when the inequality is based on what someone heard about another person.

A key moment that explains inequality often causing judgement is when Jem describes Boo Radley and makes him seem like a scary real-life monster, without actually ever meeting him. Jem states, “Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch,” page 16 using these words suggest Jem thinks Boo is not a human but a terrifying monster. Boos inequality of not being aloud to leave the house, and meet people, causes Jem to judge him. Which reveals to the reader Jem is basing his opinion off of what

Bob Ewell, a white man see’s Tom Robinson, a black man attacking his daughter Mayella. Scout states, “ Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed,” page 323 in other words Scout is saying as soon as Mayella yelled Tom was raping her, Bob Ewell had it out for Tom, Bob’s goal was to kill Tom. Though Atticus was able to prove him not guilty, Mr. Ewell still had it out for Tom Robinson. Bob Ewell has an advantage over Tom Robinson, because Maycomb has very racial opinions, giving Bob Ewell an advantage in court. This suggest to the reader that Toms inequality of being black causes Bob Ewell to immediately jump to conclusions and take Mayella's word that Tom Robinson is taking advantage of her. Which proves to the reader that Toms inequality of being black in a white city causes Bob to judge him, not knowing