Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

In To Kill A Mockingbird prejudice was a common problem during the early 20th century/Great Depression, and was very evident during this time. The city of maycomb was very separate in their ways. If you were caucasian you didn’t agree with what the African Americans did or say, and vice versa. Prejudice is defined as an “Any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.” Harper Lee shows the negative effects prejudice has on the people of Maycomb, especially the main characters. There are many types of prejudice that occurs in this book, and some of these prejudices still occur today. Many of the characters are plagued by prejudice.

In this novel Tom Robinson was affected by prejudice because of his race. Tom was accused

During the 19th century, being African American was difficult because of prejudice. Mr. Gilmer, the prosecuting attorney, accuses Tom Robinson of raping Mayella because he has previous conviction. Atticus proves correct information towards Tom Robinson case. Tom Robinson left arm is disabled and Mayella has bruises on the right side of her face, this means the attacker was left handed. Mayella also had bruises around her neck. In order for there to be bruises around her neck Mayella’s attacker would have to have a good use of both arms/hands, and Tom’s left arm is crippled. All of the facts that were present were revealing of Tom Robinson’s innocence. Most of the jury was white and they weren’t going to believe a honest black man ever, even if the facts are presented right in front of them. Tom Robinson is not only accused of raping this woman, but is treated unfairly. Mr. Gilmer treats Tom Robinson in a different manner, to how she would

This was shown many times in this book. For example, when Miss Maudie was applying to Scout that she was not old enough to understand what she was talking about. “You are too young to understand”(chapter 5). This is an example of being prejudice because Miss Maudie thinks Scout is too young to understand that Boo Radley is a victim of “foot washing”, but just because Scout is young doesn’t mean she doesn’t know what she means. Another example of age prejudice is when Jem told Scout that she were not to hang out with him because she was a younger age and might embarrass him. “I was to leave Jem alone at school.” One more example of age prejudice is when Scout talks about the affect her father’s well being has on him. “Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty” (chap 10) She talks about how other fathers play with their children and Atticus doesn’t. This prejudice because Scout is saying that her father can’t play like other fathers because he’s fifty. This type of prejudice still exists today because older people are viewed as less energetic and less