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Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Innocence represents a child’s purity. Children are extremely vulnerable to influences, due to their lack of knowledge of the world. In today’s time, children are mostly sheltered from the corrupting influences. However, in the 1930s, children were constantly exposed to these common inappropriate prejudiced views towards different races and genders. Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ published in 1960, is a classic novel which expresses the widely racial influences of 1930s America towards the People of colour. Harper Lee’s representation of 1930s America, is expressed through the perspective of an American child, Jem, who gradually loses his innocence, due to the continuous exposure to racism in the town of Maycomb. The author’s view on …show more content…

He is vulnerable to Maycomb’s gender and racial views, where he is unable to create his own opinions, thus he ends up following the prejudiced views. Jem’s father, Atticus does not agree with this, so he is trying to teach his son, what is wrong and right. When Scout neglects Jem and Dill’s idea of trying to peek through Radley’s house; Jem says to Scout: “…I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home – I declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day.” (p.57) Jem places these gender views of females on Scout; as Jem perceives females as weak, childish and scared. His behaviour is inappropriate in today’s society and goes against Atticus’ morals. Jem believes in these gender tropes, due to the influence of the Maycomb citizens. Atticus is afraid of his children’s exposure to the town, as seen when Atticus is talking to Uncle Jack, he mentions, “…I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease.” (p.98) This discerning use of metaphor, signifies the sickening effect of Maycomb’s racial prejudices. Atticus is aware of the danger towards his children’s innocence and the negative impact these cultural assumptions have towards the future generations. The town’s current views towards African Americans will have a stronger effect towards these children. Therefore, Harper Lee is able to construct a youthful character, through their lack of knowledge and understanding of the prejudiced town’s

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