The novel does not solely highlight racial prejudice, through characters such as Tom Robinson, but it also illuminates the gullibility of society and how dubious figures of evidence can cause prejudice to an individual, such as Boo Radley. In the novel, Boo Radley is not accepted nor does he fit into Maycomb society because he is different from the other residents of Maycomb and due to his idiosyncrasy, he is punished by the very judgemental society of Maycomb County. In the words of Miss Stephanie Crawford, ‘One day Boo was cutting the newspaper with scissors, and when his father passed "Boo drove the scissors into his parent's leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activity". According to Stephanie Crawford’s account, Boo just sat there after stabbing his father without any confession or regrets for his actions. Similarly, there were many hollow rumours running around the county based on Boo Radley, and the majority of the residents of Maycomb decided these unjustified stories resulting in the alienation of Boo.
In the book, To Kill a mockingbird written Harper Lee, there are prejudices expressed in this book, racial prejudice, Social prejudice and Fear of the unknown. These prejudices were expressed in the Town of Maycomb County in the eyes of Scout. Racial prejudice was expressed very carelessly in the book, a lot of people could go around calling African American people a ‘nigger’ and even more so, a ‘black’ or ‘coloured’ person. When Atticus knew he would be defending Tom Robinson, he knew he would be receiving negative comments and gossip, he also knew that his kids will also be getting negative comments from school or around the community. One example is when scout was at school and Cecil Jacobs approached scout and told her that “scouts daddy defends niggers”, when Scout told her father, he told scout to ignore any gossip because Atticus knew what he was doing was right.
The lack of knowledge in Maycomb about the outside world and their opinions about black people ingrains ‘Maycomb’s usual disease’ into their minds as they have no other opinions about black people. This is shown by the crowd’s outrage as they gather to lynch Tom, not knowing that he was innocent, but blinded by ... ... middle of paper ... ...sirable traits to have as they can motivate you through the toughest tasks and drive you to do what should be done instead of abandon your duties. In conclusion, Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the horrible prejudice and ignorance towards black people in the southern town of Maycomb, but also shows wisdom and compassion as not only desirable but necessary traits to have to withstand the bombardment of pre-conceived ideas from the people surrounding you, and also portrays these qualities as a shield to people around
The Ewells were poor, dirty, and very rude people, whose family is known all throughout Maycomb. What is interesting is that, when Tom is being questioned, they ask him why he helped Mayella when she asked him. His answer was that he felt bad for her. Even though both classes, black and poor are discriminated against, it is still unjust for a black person to feel bad for anyone, because blacks were the lowest in class at the time. The Cunninghams were people that were not necessarily discriminated against, just misunderstood.
In The Scarlet Letter evil is portrayed in many ways. A woman and her child are forced to live in shame because of two men’s indecencies. While most people in that time believed the way a Puritan should, others were more rebellious. Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale, both considerably older men, express evil all throughout the story. Chillingworth, a man of age and wisdom, has a dark side that many don’t see.
Sigmund Freud once said, “Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.” In Harper Lees’ novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” we can see a community of people who have this same fear, the fear of responsibility and change. Maycomb County is a divided community in which social hierarchy and prejudice thrives. The people of Maycomb are apprehensive about embracing ideas coming from outside the boundaries of their small community, ideas such as equality and integration between blacks and whites, gender roles being irrelevant in modern society and the breaking down of social hierarchy. Lee’s uses the backdrop of Maycomb County in order to portray to us the social injustices that were taking place during the time in which this book was published, an America in which segregation between the black and whites was rife. She uses characters such as Aunt Alexandra and the Ewells to personify the ignorance of prejudice, while the characters of Atticus and even Calpurnia show us that certain educated individuals in a community diluted with hatred and preconception hold a completely different view.
A prejudiced society is usually ignorant of its flaws, many prejudiced people do not realise the extent of their hypocrisy. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), Scout and Jem encounter prejudice in their little southern town of Maycomb, in which many social divisions exist. Maycomb County harbours many kinds of prejudices, and this lack of acceptance negatively affects many characters, which are stereotyped based on their race, economic status and level of education. Firstly, the 1930’s have large amounts of racial tension between strangers, neighbour, and even fellow family members. The white community feels that the black people are beneath them in the world.
The racist views of the town are against Atticus defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, and Atticus is often discriminated against for not agreeing with them. His children, Scout and Jem, also feel the hatred of others against them because of what their father's beliefs are. "But Mrs. Dubose held us: "'Not only a Finch waiting tables, but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers' ... 'Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for.'" Although Atticus is criticized for what he decides is right, he bravely ignores the disapprobation. Mrs. Dubose is courageous because she recognizes she has a flaw and that she has to help fix it to make it go away.
They’re wild. Listen to me.” His racist and prejudiced stereotyping and views disgust most of the other jurors and results in them turning their backs on him. His background does explain his thinking that people from poor neighbourhoods were “all the same”. He is an aged man, and would have grown up in times where strong racial prejudice and stereotypes were significant. This background would have had considerable influence over his view that the defendant was “real trash” and his inability to take his role as jury seriously.
The creature was treated badly by others which made him feel unwanted and for him to do evil things. At the beginning of the novel the creature watched the De Lacey family actions and lifestyle. He learned that even though they were poor they still love and respected one another. The creature tries to introduce himself to the family and everyone is scared of him. Safie rushes out the cottage, Agatha faints, and Felix beats on the creature until he leaves.