In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee incorporates the theme, prejudice, to portray the feelings and thoughts that people had during the time period of the Great Depression; this was described in the Trial where Tom Robinson fought for his life. throughout the 1930's, most people were raised with prejudice beliefs in the South. Whites were taught from generations before them that african americans do not deserve respect. Therefore, it should not be brought to them. Most whites believed that African Americans were to do what they were told, by them.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”. This quote reveals that Atticus is mainly focusing on the racial aspect of prejudice as it is the most dominant form of prejudice in TKAM. As well as showing that he understands the ethic of empathy and understanding, that he preaches to Scout and Jem. Atticus also proves how the people of Maycomb do not understand Negros as they have not experienced the abuse that comes with the colour of your skin. In the novel there is also the aspect of classism in prejudice with the hierarchy of families being instilled into the society of Maycomb.
The modern day novel and movie The Help shows many similarities that were portrayed in the classical novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Both The Help and To Kill a Mockingbird go into depth about the struggle humanity has been threw over the years. Although they both contain the same themes the way the authors create the situations and display the harsh reality of society’s make these two stories very different. During the depression prejudice was at its peak, with the Jim Crow laws and no rights for blacks it made it near impossible for the African American community to live a normal life. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird the rape trail of Tom Robinson vs Mayella Ewell, an African American man accused of raping a white teenage girl was held in a bias court room of Maycomb County.
In the South segregation was supported by the Jim Crow laws that made it legal. All public institutions in the South were separated according to skin colour, the ones for blacks being inferior in quality. In the north, where segregation wasn’t imposed by law, the blacks were forced to move into ghettos, because of discrimination by the whites. As well as that, there was also economic inequality. It was much harder for blacks to get a job, and there employment position could be described as ‘the last to be hired, the first to be fired’.
As his character develops in the novel, he comes across as calm, empathetic and nonjudgmental. He also is one of the few who can see things from another’s point of view. In the 1930s in America, racism was a big issue based on discrimination against black people. Most white people, in the novel discriminate against the black people because they fail to see life from their point of view. As the reader begins to see the unfairness of the actions against black people, mostly because of Atticus’ speech, the theme of discrimination is developed through the motive of ‘walking around in their shoes.’ The title, To Kill A Mockingbird is very symbolic and meaningful.
Nick Salamone June 9th, 2009 Theme Analysis To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Alabama before civil rights cases were properly exposed of justices and cases against African-Americans were considered open. You find out that society can hurt innocent individuals who have littler power because of who they are. Through this novel, you put on the shoes of a small girl, Scout, and walks through a town where they learn of social inequality, coexistence of good and evil, and racism by seeing it through her father and life experiences. Race is a central issue in this time period. People aren't willing to accept change and theirs not much you can do in the 1930's to change that because it was "sociality acceptable" not to.
To kill a mocking bird by Harper Lee is a story of racial prejudice and social class, set in a time when such narrow mindedness was considered acceptable and apart of every day life in the small town of Maycomb. A widower, Atticus raises his children by himself, with the help of kindly neighbours and a black housekeeper named Calpurnia. Scout and Jem almost instinctively understand the complexities and machinations of their neighbourhood and town. This novel takes place in 1930’s in a typical southern society. Once Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, Scout faces many challenges and she discovers numerous facts about life.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird provides the audience with an insight into the naïve and childish understandings of two young children growing up amongst the cruelty and harshness of the people in the society of the 1930's. Set in Alabama, in the Deep South of America, racism and prejudice were rampant among adults in southern towns, and children were forced to mature through the events and experiences life threw at them. Lee explores how the teachings of Atticus and the comprehensive events of the 1930's can set aside Jem and Scout's childish ways and shape their understandings of life and mature as people. A classic and early example of moving towards maturity is Scout putting away her naïve, violent reactions and learning to tame her uncontrollable fists. In the beginning of the novel, Scout has an uncontrollable desire to use her fists to solve all her problems.
to criticize the radicalism. Hughes tried to enlighten the poor black men likewise Mrs. Jones would teach Roger “right from wrong” in this novel. When this novel was written in 1959, the problems of the poor black men were very serious in a racial society. Although they are eager to have the American Dream, it was frustrated by racial discrimination. As the result, the poverty was inherited to next generation repeatedly.
Poor standards of living for blacks were another cause of Montgomery Bus Boycott. This inspired blacks to desegregate buses as facilities were segregated, blacks were seemed and treated inferior to whites. Harassment from the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was given to blacks. In 1870, in one county South Caroline alone was 6 murders and 300 whippings. KKK was hugely supported by whites and became the voice for poor uneducated whites who felt threatened in competing for housing and jobs.