Social Inequality in, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
Harper Lee demonstrates her terrific writing ability while displaying the theme of social inequality within, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ She uses literary elements like symbolism and imagery to allude to the injustice and prejudice in the town. Without social inequality many of the events in the story would never have happened, especially the main conflict. Lee also used both experiences from her own life and real world events as inspirations in the story. Social inequality in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is reinforced by both poverty and racism with black residents being considered inferior to all other people.
The theme of social inequality is prevalent throughout the story. Social inequality is the primary driving force behind the major conflict in the book. A black man, Tom Robinson, is falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, but the townspeople believe Mayella’s word over Tom’s just because she is white. This is one of many examples of social inequality in the story. There is also
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She uses a lot of symbolism and imagery in the story. One of these uses of symbolism is Tim Robinson, the dog, which symbolizes the prejudice and mob mentality of the townsfolk of Maycomb. This is because most of the people of Maycomb are guilty of hateful prejudice, and when they work together as a mob they almost act like a rabid dog. The people act out of control and strike without warning. Tim Robinson, the sick dog, also represents the town’s prejudice. Atticus Finch, the lawyer, is the only one willing to put the rabid dog down. He is also the only one to stand up to the town for the sake of the falsely accused Tom Robinson. Just like rabies, prejudice and social inequality represent disease. Atticus sees it as his duty to protect his family, whether from prejudice or a mad