Why Is Dehumanization Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

To understand an individual, it is necessary to place ourselves in their shoes. In the novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, the author addresses the need for human understanding in order to destroy the evils of racial prejudice. Scout, the main character, is the representation of innocence due to being a pure, young girl who views her surroundings with an untainted perspective. She is inclined to consider people’s point of view in order to understand them. She is taught this by her father, Atticus, who risks everything as a lawyer to defend a black man who is accused for a crime that he did not commit. As the novel progresses, it is necessary to change perspective on those accused of crimes in order to deteriorate racial prejudice. By examining the characters in Maycomb, it becomes clear that closed-minded people are the source of prejudice because their opinion is incapable of expanding and understanding the purpose of an individual’s true personality. Early in the story, Atticus teaches Scout about having

Throughout the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird Lee guides the reader to reflect on the life lesson of the need to empathize with others’ situations before making judgments in order to prevent racial prejudice from happening. In addition, the issue of dehumanization is addressed once society in Maycomb chooses to believe the words of a white man over the words of a black man in trial. Their outlook in standing in a higher position as white hinders them from acknowledging the truth within the words of a man with colored skin. It is demonstrated that it is important for people to ascertain the cause of an individual’s motives before making a judgement because the lack of communication causes society to believe that their assumptions are correct. This creates problems for themselves and