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Examples Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The child is innocent and curious, fluid and thinking, rash and developing. Therefore as time goes on, a child will take on the opinions of others. Throughout To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, the children of the story, Scout, Jem, Francis, and Dill, are faced with an environment of prejudice towards others. The people of this environment spread their beliefs and change the children’s minds time and time again. Their views are molded by the people who interact with them causing their innocence and perspectives to be in constant flux. Even people who don’t interact with Scout, Jem, Francis and Dill a few times a year impacts the way each thinks. Also since the children are so close, one receives a view and spreads it to the others in little time. Francis …show more content…

Each child’s thoughts was impacted by their Uncle’s own opinion. Another example of family influence was when the kid’s aunt, Alexandra Finch arrives in town. She and Atticus bicker after she exclaims vehemently, “And don’t try to get around it. You’ve got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight, We don’t need her now.” Atticus’s voice was even: “Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to.”” (Lee 115) The children are present during this conversation where Alexandra, set in her ways, tries to remove Calpurnia, the Scout and Jem’s black housekeeper from their home. Alexandra tries to show the children that blacks are inferior and that whites and their name’s status are superior. Atticus, trying to keep retain the children’s innocence explains how needed Calpurnia is and how much of a helpful and benign influence she was upon them. Atticus states that “She’s a member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are.” (Lee 115) The children receive two different views and consider both carefully throughout the

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(Lee 33) Atticus is explaining to Scout how important Calpurnia is to their family. Even though Cal is hard on the kids, she has taught them essential life lessons. Later in the novel, Aunt Alexandra is attempting to tell Atticus to force Calpurnia to leave. Atticus says, “Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to.

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In her book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces and builds upon a wide variety of characters, who all have a wide range of interests, likes, dislikes and common philosophies; they are best described as either being a mockingbird, or a blue jay, both complete polar opposites of each other. Atticus Finch, as well as Scout Finch, would best be described as mockingbirds, whereas Miss Alexandria Finch would be described as a blue jay. This extreme contrast would represent the difference between people who are relentless for social justice, who are also willing to sacrifice themselves and their reputation to uphold egalitarian principles, and those who are intolerant of people different than they are- superficial beings. In nature, mockingbirds

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When one grows up, it is inevitable they will lose their innocence. Seeing the world through rose colored glasses can only take one so far, and eventually they will have to open their eyes to real issues in their lives. While this happens at different ages for everyone, Atticus in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee believes that his kids should not be sheltered from the real world. As Scout and Jem, Atticus’ children, grow up, especially in a time where Maycomb is so segregated, Atticus teaches his kids real life lessons and to not become like the rest of their town; racist and judgemental. This comes with a cost, however, as the kids “grow up” at an expedited rate.

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Atticus talks about the large part Calpurnia has played in raising the children and the role she took on being a mother figure. Through Calpurnia’s important role in Scout’s life, she was able to teach her many lessons that a mother would have taught her. Without Calpurnia as an important figure in her life, Scout would have most likely lacked many skills including respect and how to be polite. “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us, but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny

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In response, Atticus reaffirms, “Calpurnia's not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn't have got along without her all these years. She's a faithful member of this family and you'll simply have to accept things the way they are” (Lee

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(Lee 18). Calpurnia also showed the children right from wrong. “anybody sets foot in this house’s yo‘ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!” (Lee 24). When Atticus was away, the children went with Calpurnia to her church.

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In “To Kill A Mockingbird,” the author of the novel, Harper Lee, communicates many themes through her story, often involving racism, the trials and tribulations of growing up, and the many sides of life itself. One of the most profound themes of this novel, however, concerns the loss of one innocence, and how this may affect their view on life. The author conveys this theme by using the juxtaposition of Scout and Jem Finch. One side of this theme is shown thorough Jem, the eldest son of the family. Jem shares most of his experiences with Scout, and he shows a level of maturity beyond his years, which is maintained through the most challenging of situations.

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