Victimization in to Kill a Mockingbird

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Marilena Biasi Victimization’s Acceptance in Society Discrimination and abuse have no place in this world. Can you imagine having lived in an era when such barbaric behaviour towards humans was considered the norm? Victimization is seen through false stories, racism and sexism in this novel. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, victimization is a major theme that is made evident through the characters Tom Robinson, Mayella Ewell and Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley. Victimization is a consistent theme that is first demonstrated through the character Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson faced a great amount of abuse by the citizens of Maycomb. During his rape trial, Tom Robinson was discriminated against while he took the stand. “ ‘Strong enough to choke the breath out of a woman and sling her to the floor?’ ” (Lee, 196). Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor, used Tom’s race and physical strength to imply that Tom was just another stereotypical black man who targeted a fair skinned female. Mr. Gilmer hinted that because Tom was strong and coloured, Tom would rape and beat a white woman. Not only was Tom discriminated against on the stand, but after Tom was sent to the slammer, Tom was killed and shot at multiple times after he was already dead. “ ‘Seventeen bullet holes in him. They [the police] didn’t have to shoot him that much.’ ” (235). After Tom was convicted and sent to jail, Tom knew there was no chance of getting himself acquitted, so Tom attempted to flee the jail. The end result was Tom getting shot and killed. When Tom tried to escape the prison, he was warned by the officers but ultimately paid with his life. After Tom was dead, the cops continued to shoot Tom for their own gratification because he was simply a black man. In short, due to Tom Robinson’s race, he was forced to live a life where he was a victim of abuse and discrimination. Another citizen who was
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