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Theme Of Racial Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Part of the human nature consists of racial judgment towards others. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, presents themes of gender bias, justice, and social class. But one of the main focuses in the book is racism. Most of the people in Maycomb County show racial judgments, opinions, and comments against African American people, as well as white people. Jem and Scout learn the power of racism and what it does to people, as they experience certain situations. Through the stories of Tom Robinson's trial, Jem and Scouts journey to Calpurnia's church, and Mrs. Dubose's commentary to Jem, the theme of racism remains.

For instance, in Tom Robinson's trial, the jury consisted of fellow townspeople who obviously had a racial opinion. Unfortunately, the people of the jury never accepted the words of a black man over a white man.. In fact, Atticus told his son that “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins.” (Lee, 295) Due to this, they convicted innocent Tom Robinson as guilty, considering his ethnic background as a black man and the accuser as a white woman. Not only did Atticus's children detect the racial prejudice in the courtroom, but in people they knew. Sadly, due to the racism thoughts and judgments, Tom's trial did not consist of a fair …show more content…

Dubose's narration about Jem's father shows her criticism about the fact that Atticus decided to defend a black man. To elaborate, Mrs. Dubose sat in her her on her porch when Jem and Scout pasted by. Instead of keeping her thoughts to herself, she yelled out to Jem and Scout “ Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (Lee, ) In this comment, she expresses her frustration about Atticus taking a case that includes a black man. Additionally, Mrs. Dubose also presented her opinion that black people are like trash. In the end, Jem turns furious due to her racial comments and expressions towards Atticus, and the

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