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

A white man's word against a black man's word, a white man's word will always win—the unfortunate reality of black people in the 1930s. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an ideal example that demonstrates and illustrates the racism and prejudice of black people back then. The book consists of a white girl named Scout Finch who grows up in Maycomb a place where racism is normalized and taught throughout generations. We see how the black community is treated unequally and where the recurring theme of white privilege comes up one being when the case of Tom Robinson comes to light. We see a black man with no rights, no voice, and no hope being persecuted by an all-white jury. Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman and even despite the lack of evidence he was sentenced to death. I will explore the common themes of race which consist of racism, white privilege, and unequal treatment throughout the novel.

Even with inconsistencies in Ewell's testimony and lack of evidence. The justice system in Maycomb was deeply flawed. It didn’t matter if Robinson had a better attorney or a better law team Robinson would be found guilty strictly just because he was a black man. In the 1930s who would believe a black man over a white woman? “Tom Robinson was a dead man the moment Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.”-Atticus Finch. This quote said by Atticus, furthermore perpetuates the sense that simply because of the race of Robinson he was at risk of his liberty being revoked. The racism and racial prejudice from the community of Maycomb made it nearly impossible for Robinson to receive a fair trial everyone was quick to be biased merely because of his race. Resulting in Tom Robinson trying to escape to freedom but rather than liberty he was faced with