Prejudice is a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience. Sometimes prejudice is a destructive force in society. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, prejudice is shown in many ways. Prejudice was shown when Atticus was defending the jail, a group of men came to kill Tom and also when Scout was getting teased at school by other kids because her dad was taking Tom’s case. Furthermore, when Tom Robinson was accused of being guilty even though he was not, and died because of it.
Readers then realize that Lennie doesn’t understand the difference between killing an animal and murdering a human, therefore putting other lives at risk. There was an instance where Crooks was in danger himself, the result of him taunting Lennie that George might never come back for Lennie. Readers can sense the danger that Crooks was facing when “Suddenly Lennie’s eyes centered and grew quiet, and mad. He stood up and walked dangerously towards Crooks. ‘Who hurt George?’ he demanded” (Steinbeck 73).
His own family disapproved of it. The reason for that was because they knew it was going to be biased. There were too many risks in taking that case. He risks being criticized by the townsfolk in Maycomb. Mrs. Dubose criticizes him at one point and says, “Atticus is a Nigger lover!” or when she says, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” He also puts his re-election for legislature in jeopardy because of all the racist people living there.
It also had its negative effects on Atticus, when he was called degrading names like ‘nigger lover’ and being treated badly by the townspeople for defending Tom. His children were also persecuted because of his courageous act. Boo Radley was another man in the town who suffered severely due to the demeanour of others who had superstitions and judgements made up about him causing children to harass him just because he didn't want to leave his house and lastly Dolphus Raymond who suffered emotionally just because he lived with a black and had mixed children. The racial and prejudice attitudes of the townspeople in Maycomb is the driving force behind nearly all the negative events that happen in the story which caused emotional and physical pain to many
As a white living in this County, I can see how visible and evident racial prejudice against the blacks has clouded the minds of many. Bob Ewell is one example of which racial prejudice has taken over his righteous mind. He had accused the innocent Tom Robinson for raping his daughter, Mayella Ewell. During the proceedings of the trial, however, was humiliated by Atticus Finch as he pointed the lies and flaws that lied in his testimony. Just yesterday, he had done another act which is hideous of mankind, taking revenge on Atticus Finch’s children, Jeremy Finch and Jean Louise Finch.
it is important to understand Tom Robinsons innocence and see how prejudice effects society. Knowing how Prejudice effects the decisions of people is an integral part to the story, prejudice being present in Maycombs society creates an emotional response from the reader. For example we know that Tom Robinson is innocent but as he is still convicted in order to gain an emotional response from the reader. Prejudice in Maycomb society eventually leads to Toms death, Maycomb society decided toms fate in the courtroom and he was sent to prison where he died being shot 17
Alex Rounds Swafford Pre-AP English 10 April 23, 2012 Tom Robinson’s Struggle with his Alienation Societal alienation is perhaps the cruelest way an individual or group can be treated by a community. When alienated, or alone and without any support, it is human nature for person a person to break down. In the American classic Too Kill a Mockinbird by Harper Lee, the character Tom Robinson struggles with this societal behavior ultimately leading to his downfall. He is an example of seclusion and shunning by society for the pure fact of being black. This alienation stems from untrue stereotypes and the disturbing moral values exhibited by the inhabitants of Maycomb.
We are first introduced to the Ewell family in a negative light, influencing the reader to presume that the whole family follows this trait, as is thought in Maycomb County due the exceeding amount of family stereotypes in this city. This introduction to way of the Ewell’s life is given before the start of the Tom Robinson Trial, to show us that they are deceptive and would attempt anything to achieve their cynical goal of punishing an honest, non-guilty black man. Their cabin looked “like the playhouse of an insane child: what passed for a fence was bits of tree limbs, broomsticks and tool shafts, all tipped with rusty hammer-heads…axes …held on with pieces of barbed wire”. This listing of harsh metals along with the hard alliteration sounds
This quote is important because it showed that Bob had no respect for Atticus, and his embarrassment in court was his main priority in getting him back. "Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin' bastard. "(272) He is saying that he knows that he was the one that raped his daughter Mayella, and takes out his anger on Atticus, and on behalf of the black community
Vengeance is a big part of the novel, It helps Scout to learn that being revengeful is a dangerous thing. "Mr. Ewell approached [Atticus], cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him." Later on the novel she wants Atticus to be prepared to defend himself. “After all, though,” I said, “he was the deadest shot in the county one time. He could—” “You know he wouldn’t carry a gun, Scout.