Another thing portrayed prejudice in the novel, is the way whites talk to blacks. "I said come here nigger, and bust up this chiffarobe for me, I gotta nickel for you”(Lee241). Referring to an African American as a "nigger" is completely disrespectful and making them seem like they are lower than the whites are, which is not the case. No person wants to be spoken to in that manner, white or black. This word is used immensely throughout the novel, especially during the trial.
Discrimination Discrimination, surely everyone has heard of it, but in To Kill a Mockingbird, everyone somehow experiences it. The story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930's during the Great Depression. This, of course, is a fictional place, but the discrimination we see here is a reflection of what happened in the South during the 1930's. There are various forms of discrimination in this book some examples of these are racial, religious, age and gender discrimination. Racial discrimination was very prevalent during the 1930's especially in the South.
Harper Lee has depicted the separation between Caucasians and African-Americans in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by showcasing how White talk and African-American influences conduct between people of different races. For instance, when the children, Scout and Jem went to the church with Calpurnia, and they accessed the church. Subsequently, Harper Lee stated, ‘Calpurnia tilted her hat and scratched her head, then pressed her hat down carefully over her ears. Meanwhile, Calpurnia said, “Now what if I talked white folks' talk at church, and with my neighbours? They'd think I was puttin' on airs to beat Moses” (139).
But after they were “released” they had nothing to do, they had grown up having structure, being told what to do; now they are lost. But the conditions before this was unbearable for some. the conditions along with the lack of nutrients and abuse, it helped them when they “escaped”. They don’t have the same opportunities as the “whites” and also this is left with them through many generations, always being looked down upon by the “superior” race. Even to today, this is still happening, a superior race, we try to say that everyone is equal but no African Americans would believe this, but this is all starting to change now that the US have a African American president.
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.
“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.
Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird Since its publication in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird has become one of the most widely-read novels in all of twentieth century American literature, and a salient work of social realism. Despite this universal appeal, it is a novel grounded in a particular time and place. Although published in the 1960s at the height of the American civil rights movement, the novel is set in the 1930s. This may be read as a decision on the part of Lee, the author, to distance the novel from contemporary racial issues, or alternatively as a means of providing historical context for those issues and ongoing problems. The social milieu which emerges out of this context is one in which race and racism are central issues.
So that leads me thinking if people of all races will ever be equal in the justice system and to the rest of the world. In my opinion racism still excists in the court room, but I think it has reduced a lot in the past 80 years. In the book “To kill a mockingbird” by Harper Lee we get to know a black man named Tom Robinson. He lives in Maycomb, Alabama and is a good and helpful man, he always wants to do everything he can to help people. Mayella Ewell, a white girl, often asked him to help her with her chores and he of course did.
Black people only get poorest jobs and hardest jobs. They are made fun of, not being respected. They don’t receive education and have the same rights compared with other. Perhaps one of the stronger examples of racism in the novel is the lynch mob. It is quite obvious that Robinson was not guilty, but he is still convicted anyway.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the most prestige’s novel’s of the 20th century. It was written by the author Harper Lee. Harper Lee used racism as the major theme in this novel. This novel shows us how cruel the world can be. Racism is used when Mayella, a character in this story, accuses Tom Robinson, a local black man, of rape.