Arguably the main theme of to kill a mockingbird is social prejudice and its detrimental effects. The author Harper Lee explores all types of social prejudice, most dramatically in the form of racism with Tom Robinson's trial. However, racism is only one aspect of the issue. Prejudice is shown to be pervasive and wide-ranging, certainly in a cramped, conservative little town like Maycomb. Society in this town is rigidly divided along lines of race, class and gender. The oppression of blacks - segregated, impoverished, and regarded as fair game for abuse and accusations - is obvious. There are only a few enlightened individuals, like Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Heck Tate that are able and willing to see past a person's skin colour.
Class prejudice is also rife in this community. Aunt Alexandra does not allow
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A shy and good-hearted man, he is misunderstood both by his own family as well as society at large, and so becomes a recluse, hiding away from the adult world altogether. He becomes the object of superstition, particularly for the children, but by the end his goodness is fully revealed to them and they see him for what he really is: one of the most decent, humane individuals in the entire town. They lose their former fear of him once they come to understand him. The book thus shows that prejudice can be overcome by employing understanding and empathy for others, teenagers in particular. This is the fundamental lesson that Atticus strives to teach his children.
Prejudice enforces negativity on society due to fear of something being different, however the novel details how the importance of positivity, uniqueness and empathy can benefit the action of abolishing prejudice altogether. Through ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ characters teenagers are taught the aspect of persevering while being a victim of prejudice and can be