How To Kill A Mockingbird Persecuted

TKAM Final Paper The symbol of the mockingbird has become the symbol of the persecuted and innocent. The author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, wrote her book in a way that breaks down the unjustness of being persecuted. As the story moves along it becomes apparent that good people are persecuted over their differences. Jem says, “....around here once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black” which shows the prejudice the folks in the town of Maycomb, Alabama have without even getting to know someone (Lee 216). Harper Lee, narrows it down to a few “mockingbirds” in the story to show the struggle of being oppressed for the wrong reasons. Boo Radley has an endless cycle of gossip going around about him even though it may not be

In order to set the stage for the reader, Harper Lee, describes the treatment of blacks and Tom Robinson specifically. As the case progressed and Robinson was examined rudely by Mr. Gilmer, Mayella’s lawyer. This examination was different than any other in the trial. He talked down to him, he called him “boy”, and he would not even look at him. Dill could not handle this treatment because he states in this quote, “Well, Mr. Finch didn’t act that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them. They way that man called him ‘boy’ all the time an’ sneered at him, an’ looked at the jury every time he answered-” (Lee 266). Even though most people are unaffected by this treatment, a few are including Dill. Dill even cried when he saw how awful Mr. Gilmer talked to Tom. Robinson deals with his circumstances with grace until he finally goes crazy while he is in jail after the hearing. Lee made “mockingbirds” with different backgrounds and social status’ because it shows that persecution can happen anywhere to