External Front In To Kill A Mockingbird

Often, people are quick to judge without developing a complete understanding of a situation. As best said in To Kill a Mockingbird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it”(Lee 30). This, among multiple other instances in this powerful novel depict how often people judge and are judged due to an external front. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a moving story concerning the widespread racial discrimination in 1930’s Alabama. The small town of Maycomb is segregated into two distinct groups, one being black, the other white. Many individuals are unable to embrace their true principles publically, and in turn, turn away

As stated before, literary elements play a huge role in the development of this story. Examples of this theme can be identified throughout the text such as when Dill had to leave the courthouse during the Robinson trial as he was greatly disturbed by the racial discrimination involved in the case. Additionally, when Dolphus Raymond felt obliged to disguise his true personality, and present with a false, external front due to the way he his judged based on his social interactions with the African American community. Like in this book, this theme can also be seen in everyday life. People are always too quick to judge based on first impressions and fail to give others a chance to show their true selves. This can create an atmosphere in which can tear communities apart and destroy relationships. Judging due to preconceived notions results only in destruction and chaos, and fails to lead to anything positive. In modern society, it is so easy to judge and be judged due to what is seen initially, but ultimately, “You never truly understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes”