Racism And Prejudice In The Book 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

TKAM Essay

Do you want a look back in time? Maybe to see what was different about it? Well, the book To Kill a Mocking Bird is a great way to answer those questions you might have. In To Kill a Mockingbird, a young girl's journey to adulthood is explored, as well as the difficult issues of racism and prejudice. It shows how both good and bad can exist side-by-side in a person or a community. I think this book shows how racism and prejudice towards colored people of this time was very severe. In his book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee teaches us readers not to judge people based off of their social class. Even though racism between African Americans and white people still exists, it can be overcome if both sides put in the effort to make

Just previously mentioned, Atticus Finch, a main character in the story, demonstrates this by not judging people based on their race or any other characteristic. Atticus shows his respect for everyone by defending Tom Robinson, even though it could be harmful to him. He does this because he believes that everyone deserves to be treated equally. I think Harper Lee was trying to give a message that you should never judge someone before getting to know them, and I think she mainly depicts this through Atticus. Atticus demonstrates the idea of treating others with respect and not judging someone on just one thing about them. Atticus conveys this idea by defending Tom Robinson, even though he was black and there was a negative schema of black people during this time, he believes that everyone deserves to be treated equally. “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions,” said Atticus, “but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience”(140). Lee was tries to send a message to the readers that you should never judge someone before getting to know them. This message is mainly depicted through Atticus and his actions in the story. In addition to this, Atticus Finch demonstrates the importance of not judging people by not judging Tom Robinson based on his race. Harper Lee uses Atticus to show an example of how we should treat others, no matter who they may be. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, Sir? Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(30). This demonstrates kindness and respect for those who need it don’t get it, such as colored people in this time. It shops to never judge someone, especially