How is it that racism is still a global issue in today's society? Racial discrimination and prejudice are two ongoing matters that are still present in today’s society, including discrimination against people of different backgrounds, sex, race or beliefs. Harper Lee effectively explores the concept of racism in her novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (1960). Inspired by her childhood, Lee depicts racism and prejudice in a small rural town referred to as Maycomb country – during the 1930s – through the eyes of a child, Scout. This novel digs into the consequences of hatred and preconception, and how it relates to current events. The theme of prejudice and racism is voiced continuously throughout different chapters and events of the narrative. Through the use of figurative and stylistic …show more content…
The metaphor being the ‘disease’. In chapter 9, Uncle Jack and Atticus discussed the impact of defending Tom’s trial when Atticus utters, “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (pg.91). The way Lee refers to Maycomb’s racism and prejudice as being a ‘disease’, makes the reader understand that the ‘disease’ is harmful and unwanted. By including figurative language and stylistic devices such as a metaphor as an example, it helps the readers understand how the people of Maycomb behaved. Another illustration of how Lee has used figurative language and stylistic features to enhance the theme of racism is through the motif of the ‘mockingbird’ in the novel. In the title itself, the ‘mockingbird’ is a motif that represents different characters. Jem, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. They are key examples of the ‘mockingbirds’ in the narrative, as mockingbirds represent the loss of innocence. By including this motif, it connects the reader to the theme and reinforces the occurring racism and prejudice in the whole