Examples Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Racism in To Kill A Mockingbird

In the early 60’s To Kill A Mockingbird was written with the intention of showcasing the cruel and surreal truth about the southern states. Harper Lee wrote this to not only allow readers to see how mit was in these states but to also show the love and compassion of a small town family. Harper Lee’s use of characters, symbolism, and conflict perfectly reflects on how Racism was a very infamous part of America.

When looking at the first aspect with the use of characters, racism is portrayed very well. Harper Lee uses characters such as Scout, Jem, and Dill to show how evil is to the naked to the eye. Lee used the characters Calpurnia, Atticus, Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell, and Tom Robinson to show how injustice

After due to it snowing a little bit in Maycomb, Jem and Scout decided to build a snowman. As a result of little snow, the kids had to build the foundation of the snowman with mud and dirt, then cover this with the snow they did have. Later that night Miss Maudie Atkinson’s front yard and house caught on fire due to unexplainable reasons. With this being said, this can symbolise one of two things. In the document (Symbolism and Racism in To Kill A Mockingbird, pg.1 ❡ 2) the author explains firstly “ … the creation of the snowman by Jem can be seen as being symbolic of Jem trying to cover up the black man and showing that he is the same as the white man, that all humans are virtually the same.” Secondly “ … Jem’s combination of mud and snow signifies missegregation, marriage or sexual relations between persons of different races. The fire at Miss Maudie Atkinson’s could, once again, be seen as the prejudice of Maycomb County showing that the mixed child is, in fact, no better than a pure black child, and that the two are, actually, the same.” This would symbolize the secret relationship between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewells. Although Mayella knew it was not permitted in the County of Maycomb, she tried her best to seduce Tom Robinson into having sexual relations with her. Not only did this end in a rape trial for Tom Robinson but it rippled up the people in Maycomb and set off a flame for the racism in town. Evidentially this results in the theme of the story To Kill A Mockingbird. In the book (To Kill A Mockingbird pg. 90 ❡ 2) Atticus Finch said “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, ur you can hit ‘em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The bluejays are the “bullies” of the birds, usually loud and terrorizing other birds however the