To Kill A Mockingbird Racism Quotes

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story that explores the issues of racism in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1900s. The book tells about a girl named Scout Finch who grows up in this small town. Throughout the novel, Scout and her brother Jem witness the effects of racism and prejudice on their community, through the trial of a black man named Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of rape. Tom was

The novel highlights racism by portraying the struggles of Tom Robinson, who is found guilty despite clear evidence of his innocence and based upon unreliable testimonies. A quote found in the book states, “Doesn’t make it right,” said Jem stolidly. He beat his fist softly on his knee. “You just can’t convict a man on evidence like that – you can’t.” This shows that Atticus knew that he would probably not be successful in his defense. However, Atticus wanted to defend Tom because he felt …show more content…

The character of Atticus Finch, Scout's father and toms defense lawyer, represents the few individuals who were willing to stand up against the racist attitudes of the time.

Additionally, the novel shows how racism affected the everyday lives of African Americans. Characters such as Calpurnia, the Finch family's black housekeeper, and Tom Robinson's family face discrimination and mistreatment simply because of their skin color. The novel also explores the way that white people justified their racism by viewing African Americans as inferior and less deserving of equal rights and opportunities.

One of the most striking aspects of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the way that racism is passed down from generation to generation. Scout and Jem's classmates and even their own aunt hold deeply ingrained racist beliefs that are difficult to overcome. This illustrates the extent to which racism had become a cultural norm in the American South, perpetuated by the education system and social