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How Does Lee Show Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930’s, a period marked by deep-seated racial and social tensions. Narrated through the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl coming of age amidst the complexities of her Southern community, the novel delves into the complexity of prejudice and its far reaching consequences. As Scout and her older brother, Jem, navigate the challenges of growing up, they grapple with the shocking realities of racism, injustice, and inequality that shape their world with the help of their father, Atticus Finch. Through Scout’s eyes, readers are drawn into a story that not only exposes the flaws of society, but also emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion, …show more content…

Harper Lee advocates for empathy, education, and integrity as crucial tools to defeating prejudice and fostering a more inclusive society. The trial of Tom Robinson serves as a clear example of racial prejudice in Maycomb. Tom Robinson, a white man, was accused of raping Myaela Ewell, a white woman. Despite overwhelming evidence of Tom's innocence, the all-white jury convicted him solely based on his race. Atticus Finch, Tom's defense attorney, summarizes the systemic racism of Maycomb's judicial system by saying, "In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins" (Lee 220). This injustice highlights the deep-seated racism that affects Maycomb society, affecting every aspect of life for its black residents. Another strong example of prejudice in the town of Maycomb is the life of Boo Radley. Boo Radley, a reclusive figure, occupies a central place in Maycomb's history. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Boo remains a shadowy presence, confined to the eerie Radley House. Rumors swirl around Boo, painting him as a sinister figure responsible for mischief and …show more content…

The victims of this senseless act endured unimaginable terror and violence, surviving physically but grappling with the psychological pain. However, it's essential to recognize that prejudice harms not only the oppressed, but also the oppressor. In this case, the perpetrator, Jason Eaton, faces imprisonment for his violent actions, a consequence of his prejudiced beliefs. This underscores how prejudice and injustice have far-reaching consequences, affecting both victims and perpetrators alike. Moreover, studies, such as those highlighted in the Boston Globe article, have shown that experiences of prejudice and discrimination can have detrimental effects on individuals' physical and mental health. The stress of facing prejudice can contribute to a range of health issues, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems. This study shows the profound and complex impact of prejudice on individuals' well-being. In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird offers timeless lessons on confronting prejudice and fostering empathy. Harper Lee's message remains relevant today, urging individuals and society to acknowledge and challenge

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In society today there are those that are pushed out of the crowd because of what they look like, how they act, and what others say to be true about them. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows that unselfish, kind hearted people can experience prejudice from others. Always wanting to be the better person, Atticus Finch is like the mockingbird when taking the responsibility of defending Tom Robinson, who is a black man. Once Atticus gets the news that he will be defending Tom Robinson, who is accused of rape, he is very stressed until the end of the trial. Harper Lee shows this when she says, “It’s this Tom Robinson case that’s worrying him to death...”

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One of the main themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is equity. The novel presents a case of racial injustice and demonstrates how it is unfair for individuals to be judged based on their race. In the book, Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of rape, and despite the lack of evidence, he is found guilty simply because of his race. This is evident in the following quote: "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" (Lee 220).

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In Maycomb, rumors that are spread compare him to a creature, a stalker, and a criminal of the town, saying "went out at night when the moon was out, peeped in windows, and committed small crimes throughout Maycomb", Miss Stephanie Crawford most likely being the one to spread them. Many of the rumors like these come from the fact that the town does not see much of him ever, he is much like a recluse, which the town fails to understand. Ms. Crawford is also mostly responsible for this rumor in particular, as she claimed to have seen Boo Radley in her window, some night, which is probably wasn't true to begin with. To continue, many of the prejudices in the novel, like this one, come from a lack of understanding and the willingness of the town to their minds up about who Boo is when they truly have no clue. Along with the fact that these rumors spread from a lack of knowledge, the children of the town pick up on the comments and rumors made about Boo.

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The Innocence in Society Mockingbirds are innocent birds. They don’t do anything but fly and explore, they even sing. So why do people harm them ? Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird discusses politics, civil rights, prejudice, injustice and racism.

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Harper Lee uses Boo Radley’s character to show how people fear and do not accept who is different. Boo Radley is a victim of prejudice due to being an anomaly. The people of Maycomb County are critical and judgemental towards Boo. The neighbourhood depicts Boo as a “malevolent phantom” because he has not been outside. Seeing that, the townspeople start making rumours about Boo Radley a description of him according to Jem, “ Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch that’s why his hand were blood stained if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time.

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