"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a novel that depicts the themes of racism, justice and or injustice, and discrimination in the Southern United States during the 1930s. The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young little girl in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, and is always around her father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a lawyer who later in the story as a white man has to defend a black man, Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Through the eyes of Scout as an innocent little kid, the novel shows the prejudices and injustices that occurred in the 1930’s. Racism is the main theme in "To Kill a Mockingbird." The racial motivation in Maycomb is high and the Negros in the story are treated as second-class citizens. Tom Robinson’s trial is a stark example of the racism prevalent in the town. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, the all-white jury convicts him simply because of his race. Atticus, the moral compass of the story, stands firm in his belief in racial equality and vigorously defends Tom against the unjust accusations. …show more content…
Atticus’s decision to defend Tom Robinson is a direct challenge to the injustices of the legal system and society at large. In his closing argument, Atticus eloquently argues that all men are created equal and deserve equal justice under the law. However, the verdict of the trial exposes the harsh reality that justice is not blind and is often tainted by prejudice and discrimination. The injustice of Tom’s conviction weighs heavily on both Atticus and Scout, illustrating the profound impact of systemic racism on individuals and