Jem and Scout stats to become aware that all this is caused by segregation. Since Atticus is defending Tom Robinson in court Mrs. Dubose starts to insult Atticus for ‘lawing for *******’ which infuriates both of his children. [Theme: The injustice of racism and segregation] 2. “There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn’t be fair if they treid. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s word, the white always wins.
The intolerance of the African-American race is shown a great deal from beginning to end in these two novels. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird and in Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Scout and Huck endure prejudice, but are able to overcome it through their desire not to side with society, and the positive influences in their lives. Scout and Huck both live in societies that are virtually intolerant of the African-American race. Their societies are driven by this segregation, making them become extremely out of control. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, in a court trial.
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 Montgomery Advertiser is also trying to mock how Atticus is toiling away to represent a defendant, Tom Robinson, who has little to no hope in being freed from the accusations of rape made on him. This is not only an extremely rude gesture, but it is also a sign of prejudice, because they are basing their inferences of the future of the case simply on the fact that Tom Robinson is a Negro, and Negroes are always “the bad guys.” Another case where unjustness is shown is when Lula is spiteful towards Calpurnia for bringing Scout and Jem along to the Negro church. Lula says, “‘I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church’” (Lee 119). Prejudice does not occur only when a white person looks down upon a black person; it happens vice versa as well. Black people may not be allowed to attend the same churches as white people, but that does not mean white people prohibited from black people’s churches simply cancels out the act of prejudice.
Look past the skin color of not only Tom Robinson, not only those unfairly punished based on race, but all humans. Yes, some humans should be punished, based on their actions. No man, or woman, should be punished because they have a darker skin color than us. The color of your skin is not in control, but your actions are. Rage is the action that is determining the fate of this bright young man who’s only done good for this world.
Prejudice is one thing in the world that may never stop. Prejudice is a state violence against black people which takes a big role in this novel. Harper Lee puts in a lot of events that deal with prejudice. This town of Maycomb suffers a lot with racism. The whites don't like colored people, and in return the colored don't like the whites.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, the white people of Maycomb see themselves as better than their black counterparts, which drives them to degrade, harass, and badmouth them. They often see them as barely human, and patronise or outright insult them. One way that Lee shows how white people treat black people is during Mr Gilmer’s cross-examination of Tom Robinson in court. Gilmer asks Tom increduously how “You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?” This excerpt shows the low opinion of black people by the white Maycombites, as Mr Gilmer insinuates that a black person could not feel sympathy for a white person, as they were seen to be immensely lower in society than whites. By doing this, he brings Tom’s character into question as a result of what he sees as his lack of respect for his betters, when he was only being empathetic to Mayella Ewell’s plight.
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.
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.
“ We come here today to dramatize a shameful condition” we see here he is reaching out not only the black community, but giving the rest of the community a conscience for the “bad check”, the empty promises that have been made and to having insufficient funds. In“The ballot or the bullet” speech in its name alone it shows determination. Malcolm X’s delivery of the speech shows you something very different from Dr.King’ s speech. He does not care for those he calls “ the enemy” he explains. The strategy of the white man has always been divide and conquer.