To Kill A Mockingbird Social Issues

To Kill a Mockingbird, written in 1960 by Harper Lee, explores the social issues that plagued the American South during the 1930s. The story follows the perspective of young Jean Louis (Scout), Finch growing up in the fictional town of Maycomb alongside her brother Jeremy (Jem). They spend their time playing imaginary games and acquiring understanding of the world. They remain oblivious to the systemic issues of their hometown until their father, Atticus, is tasked to represent a black man accused of raping a white woman. Through this court case Scout learns that the world is unfair and people value prejudice over justice. Utilising Scout’s curiosity Harper Lee provides insight into the presence of racism in the American South provoking the

Within To Kill a Mockingbird, “white society” encourages racist ideas onto children at a young age whilst “black society” shuns racism. At the start of the novel scout is only 6 years old. Despite her youth, racial stereotypes are already inflicted upon her. This is first seen with the idea of “ni**er talk” (p.41) which Scout understands to be a common term to describe a suppositious concept. However, this term also enforces ideas of division between white and black people. In contrast, the black community within Maycomb are shown to shun racism. When Scout and Jem go with Calpurnia to visit the “Negro” (p.130) church they are confronted by a black woman named Lula who remarks, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ them white chillun here…” (p.131). However, the “coloured people” discredit her actions saying, “Don’t pay no ‘tention to Lula…” (p.132). This shows that within black society there is racism, however the majority reject bigoted behaviour disallowing it to fester. On the other hand, white society in Maycomb do the complete opposite. This is seen in the character of Mr Dolphus Raymond. Mr Raymond is a white man who “likes [black folk] better…”, he has a black wife and mixed-race children. These ideas, despite being progressive for the time lead him to be associated with “trash” (p.177). As a result of people disliking “the way [he] live[s]”, he created an alcoholic persona that allows people to “latch on to a reason” (p.221) for his behaviour. In contrast to the black community of Maycomb that shun racist beliefs, the white community instead shun un-racist ideas and encourage racist concepts. To Kill a Mockingbird sheds light on these topics to enhance the audiences understanding of how racism was able to fester in the white society of the Southern States of