The Effects Of Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Scout and Jem journey through the voyage of life as they embark on an awakening from childhood to adulthood. Through the people of Maycomb County and their own personal reflections, they both gather a new perspective on the prejudice they’ve witnessed firsthand. Jem overcomes his childish delusions after Tom Robinson’s trial while Scout slowly gathers a new outlook on inequity. Lee signifies the importance of confronting injustice by growing up through the characters, Scout and Jem, as they reflect on the effects of racism, the negative view of social class, and overall prejudice in Maycomb County.

First and foremost, Jem experiences injustice and prejudice which forever changes his ideology and mind

I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like’”(Lee 246). This specific passage emphasizes the importance of Jem’s development after being witness to Tom Robinson’s trial because it explains his transition from typical childish behavior to newfound maturity. He expresses his awareness when he notices the way he used to perceive the people of Maycomb and the way he acknowledges them now. He also explains his previously sheltered and oblivious feelings about the people of Maycomb, beginning to gain his own conscience and opinions on the way certain things actually appear. The phrase, “‘...least that’s what they seemed like’” (246), shows Jem’s feelings of betrayal and sadness at realizing that the people he once trusted and confided in turned out to be more malicious than he previously knew. Moreover, “‘I think I’m beginning to understand something. I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all the

For instance, when she asks Aunt Alexandra if she can play with Walter Cunningham, she receives a cold but honest reply; “‘But I want to play with Walter, Aunty, why can’t I?...‘I’ll tell you why,’ she said. ‘Because–he–is–trash, that’s why you can’t play with him’” (Lee 256). Throughout the book, the Cunninghams are described as poor, simple people and Aunt Alexandra immediately assumes that they're up to no good because of their background. In this short but powerful quote, Aunt Alexandra is seen using her own prejudice as an excuse to disallow Scout from being friends with Walter. This strongly upsets Scout and she begins to dwell more on mature and grown up subjects that she had previously ignored. In addition, when Scout expresses her opinion on people, it shows her noble attempt at a grown up issue. “‘No, everybody’s gotta learn, nobody’s born knowin’. That Walter’s as smart as he can be, he just gets held back sometimes because he has to stay out and help his daddy. Nothin’s wrong with him. Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks’”(Lee 259). The first half of this quote is Scout countering Aunt Alexandra’s previous comment about Walter and the Cunninghams, which shows Scout’s growth. She explains that there’s only one type of folks and shares her own different but unique opinion on prejudice. She explains how she believes that all people are born equal,