Examples Of Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Different stereotypes were discussed in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, such as the stereotype of Arthur Radley, Tom Robinson and Jean Louise Finch. Arthur Radley is stereotyped as cruel when he is kind, Tom Robinson is racially stereotyped as a criminal due to his skin color and Jean Louise Finch is sexually stereotyped. Arthur Radley or Boo Radley was stereotyped as creepy and cruel, though his true personality isn’t that. For example, “As Mr Radley passed by, Boo drove the scissors into his parent’s leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities.” (Lee, 12) This shows that Boo Radley is stereotyped by the rumors in Maycomb. It means that he is stereotyped as cruel and scary through the rumors of his actions. This isn’t true however. For example, “Mr Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him and his shy ways into the limelight—to me that’s a sin.” This shows that Boo Radley’s stereotypes were wrong. He was stereotyped by rumors and in the end he ended up helping the children. This means he was …show more content…

For example, “Typical of a nigger’s mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw.” (Lee, 275) This shows the racial stereotype of Tom Robinson due to his color. He was stereotyped as an ignorant criminal who ran from prison although people didn’t know why he ran. They only saw the stereotype of him as a criminal due to his skin color. Another example is, “Those are twelve reasonable men in everyday life, Tom’s jury, but you saw something come in between them and reason.” (Lee, 251) This shows the stereotype of Tom Robinson and how it blinded normal people. Tom Robinson was charged with the crime because of his racial stereotype. They judge him due to his skin color and it blinds their judgment. Therefore, Tom Robinson was racially stereotyped in To Kill a