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The Theme Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates a story surrounding the prejudice of the time and its impact on the innocence of the children in the town. The narrative takes place in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. An old, suffocating town, home to aimlessly fueled hatred and bias. “Maycombs Disease” describes the behaviors portrayed by the residents, which embrace the racist and classist behaviors of the time. 1930, a period of depression, was infested with discrimination among many minorities. Lee uses time as a tool to indicate how innocence protects one from society's corruption of ideals and instead paints a much more honest view of the world. While the children view each other as equals, the adults discover themselves …show more content…

Skin complexion in the 1930s determined your wealth, status, and worth in the world. During Tom Robinson’s trial, Jem saw factual evidence, which was equivalent to the truth. He even questioned Atticus if “they’ll acquit [Tom] that fast” (236). This demonstrates Jem’s lack of knowledge when it comes to the injustice side of the court system. His lack of experience with racism and the unbalanced court makes him question the truth, as well as right and wrong in the world. Jem’s anger reflects how dismayed he felt after seeing the truth fail. The empathy Jem felt towards Tom was a lesson that Atticus taught him and Scout from a young age. The blatant disregard for truth and honesty in court displayed everyone’s true thoughts and intentions. Another example of prejudice based on skin color was when Miss Gates said “we don’t believe in persecuting anybody”(281). She exclaimed her regards towards Jews, and how they didn’t deserve to be slaughtered by Hitler. This is completely ironic as black people are persecuted in Maycomb every day. Strictly based on skin color, as it determines their credibility. Her defense of Jewish people shines a light on her true intentions and beliefs, and in doing so she also confuses Scout and leads her to believe that she was a person of equality. Later Scout finds out that Miss Gates was talking badly about black people outside of …show more content…

Atticus says that it “seems that only children weep,” (243) after Tom is convicted of a crime he did not commit. This line is used to show that only the children who have not been taught the town’s ideals felt deceived and betrayed by the outcome of the trial. Instead of being surrounded by the same prejudice as the adults, the children are shielded by their innocence, which leaves morals based on truth and justice. Such morals are commonly lost through the pressure of society and the nurtured mindset that Maycomb shares. Therefore creating confusion among the kids in the town and compassion for others; lies and judgment are prevalent in Maycomb, but if you fit the description your truth does not matter. Dill makes a comment about Miss Stephanie’s excessive drinking when Aunt Alexandra caught him and called him cynical when he questions whether “Tellin’ the [truth is] cynical, [or not]” (244). This action Aunt Alexandra took, shows her mindset based on others and their status. Dill, on the other hand, displays equality for all as he talks about her problems like he would anyone. This is significant because it shows he is not dismissing her problems. After all, she is white, but that doesn’t make her any better than those who are not. The kids of Maycomb show their compassion towards others through their actions and thoughts to treat everyone

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Jem’s adamant interest in Atticus’s affairs implies that he is beginning to replace his innocence with an understanding of the racial stereotypes surrounding Tom Robinson, and how his Atticus’s decision to defend Robinson in court puts himself in a position of political and physical danger, as social norms prohibit such.

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After Atticus loses his trial, Jem notices that the Maycomb County justice system is broken and it needs help, “Then it all goes back to the jury, then. We oughta do away with juries. ”(294) This shows that Jem now understands that people are racist in everything and racism needs to be fought. On top of realizing that the justice system is in shambles, Jem realized that Tom Robinson’s case was very good at showing that.

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Tom Robinson, an innocent black man, was the defendant against a white father and daughter Bob and Mayella Ewell. Jem, Scout, and their friend Dill go to the trial and destroy their own innocence there. Scout narrates,” I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” had a separate stab with them”(282). While Jem was at the trial he watched his father Atticus defend Tom Robinson the best that he could. He saw and heard his dad cross-examine every witness and question his own, but

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Atticus says this so that some people may form a new opinion if Tom is guilty or not guilty. After Atticus’s closing argument prior to the verdict, Jem was very confident based upon the evidence presented that Tom would be not guilty, after the trial Jem was very upset and crying about the harsh reality of the case case, while he is talking to Atticus about this he says, “It ain’t right, Atticus”(Lee 242). Jem is finally maturing and realizing the harsh reality of Maycomb and the racism and prejudice in people's minds throughout their society. Jem learns that just because of the way you were born you are not given the same opportunities that others have just because of one factor, the color of your skin, not the way you act, or your reputation, but the color of your skin, something so little, but has such a massive impact on everyday life.

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The fact that Jem argued back to Atticus’s fatalistic claim proves that he understands the moral issue and unfairness of prejudices, and how significantly it universally affects their society; yet another one of the furtive issues that the world expects you to figure out by

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It is during the trial of Tom Robinson that he truly understands the malevolent world and its mindset. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. ‘It ain’t right,’ he muttered…” (212). In this quote, Jem realizes the verdict and knows how wrong it was.

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But, the black people in Maycomb contribute in the same ways and they get no recognition. She changes the subject away from the children in her classroom and makes them believe that Jewish people are the only ones stuck in poverty. She tries to put rose-colored glasses over the children's eyes to try and shield them from the ugliness outside of the school. Miss Gates also continues to dismiss facts and she refuses to acknowledge that the black people in her town, who faced very similar issues as the Jews are facing social injustices. This again demonstrates how the children are made to believe that Maycomb has no imperfections.

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Initially viewing the legal system standing for nothing other than both the truth and justice, Jem witnessed firsthand the deep-rooted prejudices and systematic flaws that plagued the courtroom during Mr. Robinson’s trial. Despite Atticus Finch’s best efforts to defend Tom with both integrity and compassion, the verdict reveals the inherent bias of the jury, leading to what Jem believes to be Tom’s wrongful conviction. The miscarriage of justice shatters Jem’s idealistic beliefs, forcing him to confront the harsh truth that fairness and equality do not always prevail in the face of deep-seated racism. Jem’s loss of innocence becomes palpable as he grapples with the harsh realities of racism and injustice. There are

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Despite overwhelming evidence of Tom's innocence, including the compelling testimony of Atticus Finch, Scout's father and the defense attorney, Tom is convicted based solely on his race. This starkly illuminates the deeply ingrained racial bias and prejudice that prevailed in the justice system of that time, where black individuals were automatically presumed guilty solely based on the color of their skin. Tom's tragic fate underscores the harsh reality of racial discrimination, where African Americans were denied basic rights and treated as inferior to white people merely due to their race.

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Jem, Scout, and the friend Dill attended the trial. Growing up in an non racist home did not let them see the way every other white person saw it. The white folk did not see Tom, Atticus’s defendant, deserving a fair trial because he was black. Atticus knew this that, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed”(Pg. 276). Even so, he defended him to the best of his ability for more than just a life, but for respect and understanding.

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In To Kill a Mockingbird the case of Tom Robinson is an important example of racial inequality. After the statements had been provided from either side of the case (the Ewell’s and Tom Robinson), Jem was absolutely sure that Atticus and Tom were going to win the case. In response to his rash decision,

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Lastly, Atticus’ compassion for Tom Robinson allows him to act the right way, even if it is against society's beliefs. Atticus tells his two innocent children, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). Not one other lawyer wants to take the case, but due Atticus’ compassion for Tom, he sympathetically pities him, which allows him to view the world differently. Atticus’ compassion results in him being viewed as a symbol of good. In the community of Maycomb, people are against him, but

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The children must be aware of varying social place in their town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus devotes his efforts to teaching his children to always be empathetic regardless of their higher status in society being

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Atticus’s teachings at home are far more valuable to his children than anything they learn in the classroom. Scout notices this most obviously when learning about the Holocaust. Her teacher explains that such oppression of one group of people could never happen in the United States and Scout is astonished. She heard Miss Gates outside the court house during Tom Robinson's trial saying that, referring to black people, she thought it was, "time somebody taught them a lesson, they thought they was getting' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us." Scout sees Miss Gates's statement about blacks in clear conflict with her

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Gates then goes on to share how “there are no better people in the world than Jews” (Lee 329), and it is beyond her comprehension to know why Hitler could commit acts against them. The irony lies in her blindness to the similar oppression happening in her home town. The children are taught that Hitler is a monster for his anti semitic actions in Germany; meanwhile, African Americans are forced to face daily suppression in Maycomb County. Both groups have stereotypes that cause others to perceive them as

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