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
When she drew it away, it trailed a long silver thread of saliva. “Your fathers no better than the ******* and trash he works for!” (Lee 117) 1. (analysis)This quote said by Mrs. Dubose towards Jem and Scout shows how racists she is. Mrs. Dubose and most of the towns people dislike the Finches because Atticus is a white man defending a black man. Jem and Scout stats to become aware that all this is caused by segregation.
In Harper Lee's highly successful novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the author uses the literary device of a metaphor as a major motif in the book. Set in the 1930s Deep South - a time of great prejudice and racism- the novel unfolds as an account of injustice to the most gracious yet unjustly accused citizens of the town of Maycomb. The gentle, but African-American Tom Robinson is unfairly put on trial for the alleged rape of young Mayella Ewell. Boo Radley is victimized and ostracized by the community based on the town fables that the citizens have created about him, forcing him to live in solitude inside his house. Atticus Finch is ridiculed by the townspeople for being a moral human being and sticking to his beliefs in defending an innocent colored man.
HOW DOES HARPER LEE PRESENT THE THEME OF PREJUDICE IN ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’? Prejudice is defined as an "opinion formed without taking the time and care to judge fairly", and this is a theme that Harper Lee distinctly exploits throughout ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. The majority of people in Maycomb shared the typical mentality of prejudice, which was present in the 1930’s Southern States of America. There are several characters throughout the novel who have been victims of prejudice from the judgements of Maycomb society and even the reader. 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.
Inside the story, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, from chapters 1 to 9 the character, Atticus, personality is revealed to the readers through his actions of unnoticeable caring and sincerity. In the beginning Atticus is brought up as a very stubborn person, but everything Atticus did is within limits. “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles’ em.” Everybody expected that Atticus is very narrow minded, and that he does not think for anyone or anything but himself.
There are many destructive forces in this world that may destroy our humanity, beat down our beliefs and wreak havoc on our morals. Greed, arrogance, anger, ignorance⦠but none so powerful as racism. Racism is the worst kind of prejudice in society, and as illustrated in âTo Kill a Mockingbirdâ by what befalls Tom and Helen Robinson and Bob Ewell, it can ruin peopleâs lives. An unnecessary evil, it brings down misery in some way to all who harbour or are victim to it. The most apparent victim of racism in âTo Kill a Mockingbirdâ is Tom Robinson, the black man who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell.
Prejudice is Everywhere “There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who’ll take advantage of a Negro’s ignorance” (Lee 221). Atticus, the narrator’s father in To Kill a Mockingbird, expresses his disgust in the manner of how white men treat the African-American race. This part of the novel is only one example of the prejudices observed in To Kill a Mockingbird, as the novel highlights the issue throughout. Racism was a major issue a large number of men, women, and even children had to face during the time periods of the novels To Kill a Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Scout, the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, is a young girl living in Maycomb, Alabama.
In the story, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the trial of Tom Robinson and it's outcome was viewed very differently by the people of Maycomb. In particular, Atticus's view, the children's views, and the townspeople's views are very different. This has to do with the people's connection to the trial, or their prejudices. Tom Robinson was found guilty of a crime he did not commit, all because of racism. The trial of Tom Robinson pertained to the accusation that Mayella Ewell was raped by a young negro man named Tom Robinson.
In part one of her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee establishes extensive prejudice in Maycomb. This can be in the form of racial or social prejudice. In doing so she comments on the fear that drives prejudice and the irrationality that lies at its core. She also comments on how this intolerance is perceived through different characters. The theme of prejudice has been established through the characterisation of the narrator Scout’s father, Atticus and Boo Radley, as well as the narrative perspective of Scout.
He thought ‘kids like him’, the defendant, should be punished, because he sees his son in the 16-year-old defendant. Although he asserts, “I have no personal feelings in this case”, the audience realize this is untrue, especially in his last monologue when he shouts, “I know him”. Clearly, his personal feelings cause him to vote ’guilty’. However, when the 8th Juror reminds Juror 3,” It’s not your boy”, the 3rd Juror finally understands he was wrong not to consider there was any reasonable doubt about the evidence because of his weakness of selfishness. 3rd Juror recognize himself due to his prejudice.