Examples Of Social Commentary In To Kill A Mockingbird

Aaron Feagin

English 9GT

Ms.Brooks

May 30, 2023

Social Commentary in To Kill a Mockingbird

Imagine you live in a time period where racism was widespread, you live in a poor neighborhood and in the south. How would you think you would grow up as a vulnerable child in these conditions? To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in the 1930’s in a poor neighborhood in Maycomb Alabama. This time period happened in a time with many openly racist people and also happened during the great depression. In the story we are introduced to a kid named Scout along with the other Finche’s where they prove to be the main characters of the book. Harper Lee makes this book to address racism, classism and even subtle sexism. The book has received widespread

One of which can be found in this quote saying "There was no sign of piano, organ, hymn-books, church programs—the familiar ecclesiastical impedimenta we saw every Sunday. It seemed gloomy in there, and cold, and I wondered if the place would ever burst into light again. Uncle Jack said probably not. He said the church was cold, there weren't many people out that night, and he guessed people's wills weren't made of stone yet." (Lee, Chapter 14). This quote has Atticus Finch explaining the impact of classism and poverty in the town they live in. He describes how the church was poor, cold and gloomy. Without money they can’t afford things most churches

With every page you flip you could find something that shows racism, Atticus Finch explains racism in the book saying "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life." (Lee, Chapter 23). Now This quote is very important and basically explains the whole book. In To Kill a Mockingbird there was the trial of Tom Robinson, he was a black man falsey accused of raping a white woman. With all the overwhelming evidence towards his innocence, he was still convicted. He was convicted soley from his race. These events happen in real life, therefore it is a case of social commentary in the book. Also throughout the book it is a common occurrence for white people to say racial slurs as a form of hatred. This was common in that time period and can still be found to this day, so it is social