To Kill a Mockingbird- Critical Essay. To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee explores many themes including prejudice. The author uses techniques to such as connotations, symbolism, and word choice to describe the theme of prejudice in the 1930s in Southern America. In to Kill a Mockingbird, Lee emphasis the social prejudice of Maycomb through Scout’s own experiences of different classes in the playground. After Scout’s experience at school she asks Atticus if they are as poor as the Cunninghams, of which he replies “…they are their own breed of men.” Here lee uses word choice by using the word breed. This word is commonly associated with dogs and other animals, this then gives the reader the impression that the Cunninghams are a lower class and in fact, in some cases may not be thought of with the same rights, or respect as another human. This quote clearly shows the ranks in society and that people are rapidly judged based on how much money they have and their background. …show more content…
At Tom’s trial he makes the mistake of admitting he felt empathy for Mayella Ewell. “You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?” the repetition of sorry as well as the tone of incredulity in Mr. Gilmer’s voice emphasis the belief that that Mayella’s horrific home life as a black man in his community Tom Robinson had no place feeling sorry for Mayella, white person. Somebody who would have naturally been born with a higher standing in society. Here lee successfully implies that tom has in fact signed his own death warrant. He has by engaging with her inadvertently placed himself above her in the social status. By feeling pity fo her he will been seen as arrogant and not knowing of his true place in society, which is below the white people, including