How Does Lee Use Internalized Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

The 1930’s were a time of hardship, depression, and prejudice. The southern states especially were strong in racism and bigotry. Racism had become a normal thing in society. It was shown in literature in many famous books. In her book, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the snowman, the mad dog, and the white camellia, to symbolize the underlying racism of southern 1930’s society. First, the muddy snowman that was built by Scout and Jem right after it first snowed symbolizes internalized racism in the south. While they were both rolling the snowman, it was tainted with mud. Scout sees this and complains “Jem, I ain’t never heard of a negro snowman.” (89) This blatantly shows how even children never considered black people to be human. Further in the chapter, Scout narrates “Jem explained that if he did, the snowman would become muddy, and cease to be a snowman.” (90) when Atticus attempts to excavate some snow from the body in order to make it look more ‘human shaped’. This is another clear

As Scout watches Tim Johnson, the mad dog, she narrates “I thought mad dogs foamed at the mouth, galloped, leaped, and lunged at throats. Had Tim Johnson behaved thus, I would have been less frightened.” (125) This exemplifies how racism is not always KKK members in white robes burning crosses and lynching people, but racism can also be subtle and hidden, but still fatal. The jury in Tom Robinsons trial seemed like rational people, but subtle racism caused them to vote an innocent man guilty. Scout describes Tim Johnson further “ He seemed dedicated to one course and motivated by an invisible force that was inching towards us… he was alist, but but being pulled gradually towards us.”(126) as he walked through town. This shows how racism, which wasn’t always fast and loud, still subtly penetrated the town before the court