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Examples Of Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

1228 Words5 Pages

Arjun Shreyakar
Mrs. Gagnon
English 9 Honors
March 9, 2023
The Bad Blood of Prejudice Knowing that differences are around and others make it feel more different, all because of the social injustice in society. Racism, classism, and wealth contribute to a vast amount of social inequality, and the divisions of people in Maycomb County; whilst determination, courage, and going against the unsettling judgemental thoughts of others attempt to rise above. In the realistic fiction novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, this novel reflects and teaches us about this society in the past and current time. This novel takes place in the 1930s in Maycomb County, Alabama during the Great Depression time period. The novel follows the Finch family, made …show more content…

Atticus explains to Jem and Scout that Bob Ewell, Mayellas’ father, is someone to be wary of because he is an Ewell, and is not the most trusted man. Tom Robinson is a person that was misunderstood and a victim of prejudice of Maycomb’s overall issue. Atticus talks to Scout and Jem about the trial, the way “There’s something in this world that makes men lose their heads --- they couldn’t be fair if they had tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a blackman’s word, the white man always wins”(Lee 251). The people of Maycomb are predominantly white, therefore have the most power in their word. The people of color are often ignored and forgotten by everyone until something happens and they get the blame. They are targeted without reason, and always fall victim if they are even the slightest involved. Tom Robinson unfortunately had an all white jury on his trial, this jury did not care about evidence, they just put him away because he is black. Going against an all white jury as a colored person and with the best lawyer around, you would still lose, if you are in this part of the world. Juries being racist or biased in the 1930s, was a big problem to those who were affected by it; just like Tom Robinson.Tom Robinson a person of color in Maycomb and a victim of prejudice. Tom should have deserved a fair trial, and a fairer jury. …show more content…

Jem talks about how the trial is all unjust and not right or fair for Tom Robinson; Tom Robison did not deserve to have his life sentenced away “I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley stayed up in the house all this time … It’s because he wants to stay inside”(Lee 259). Jem talks about the racial prejudice shown, making Jem more alert about Maycomb. Jem specifically thinks this prejudice shown, is the reason why Boo Radley does not want to go outside his house; and is hesitant to face the prejudice against him. He knows what Maycomb can and could do with their prejudicial ideology, and is afraid to lose his life as well. Boo Radley knows he is a victim of the prejudice of Maycomb, he cannot face it without real courage, and to help Boo Radley free his life

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Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was told from the first person perspective of scout, Jean Louise, Finch and was a unique blend of scouts’s younger and older self. The story takes place in the small city of Maycomb, Alabama. The city of Maycomb had a river used for trading and the town was very small and everyone knew each other. Maycomb was a very old town and had lots of rain, but when it wasn’t raining it was very humid. The story takes place from 1933 to 1935.

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(100), here, Atticus knows even if everyone knows Tom is innocent and Tom’s opponent is white trash and ignorant, everyone understand that he will suffer racial discrimination and will be labelled guilty no matter the proof. Racial segregation will be the main factor as to why no one will choose a black man’s side over a white’s. No matter how much evidence there is, the mindset on blacks in Maycomb is nearly impossible to discard. “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (276), it is no surprise when Tom tries to escape the prison and dies doing so, because everyone knew there was no hope for him once a white accuses him.

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