Examples Of Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, racism and social inequality are two central themes. Many different forms of social inequality coexist in the society depicted in the book, as the people of Maycomb are very rigid in their ways. This is because the book takes place in a time at which there was much racism and social inequality. In Maycomb, firstly there is discrimination between rich and poor white people, who do not often interact with each other. There is also racism against blacks by all white people in society, both rich and poor. Black people are denied basic rights and discriminated against in this town. Lastly, there is racism between the lowest classes of the community: poor white people and

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, injustice is a main theme that is reflected towards many characters. To Kill a Mockingbird, is a novel written by Harper Lee and published in the nineteen-sixties. Many characters in the story are treated unfairly in society due to racial or prejudicial attitudes. Overall these characters are innocent victims of injustice. Atticus, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson are considered to be mockingbirds in the novel. A mockingbird was defined as a bird that did nothing wrong, but sang beautiful music for us to hear. These characters did nothing wrong and were treated unfairly in their town. In this different society, there are many factors that have had an influence on people’s perceptions towards others.

Lastly, prejudice is shown in To Kill a Mockingbird by social or economic status. The Cunninghams cannot pay people back in money for services or things they have been given. They pay people back by goods that they already have. People know that it’s mean to make fun of them for paying people back that way, just because of their status. Another example is that Aunt Alexandra will not let Scout play with Walter Cunningham. She says to Scout, “Because-he-is-trash, that’s why you can’t play with him,” (Lee 256). This shows that even the kids are being taught to stay within their own class, even if it is something as simple as playing with another kid. Also, the Ewells are the trash of the town, and everybody knows it. The whole town just turns and eye to them and pretends like they are not there, because they live behind the dump and are the trash of their society. So, that shows that prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird is shown by social and economical status.

Scout also faces prejudice among the people she knows very well, but Jem, her brother also has to face prejudices from the community as well, some of these people being their neighbors. ”But Mrs. Dubose held us: “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!” Jem stiffened. Mrs. Dubose’s shot had gone home and she knew it: “Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I’ll tell you!” She put her hand to her mouth. When she drew it away, it trailed a long silver thread of saliva. “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for”(lee 135). Mrs. Dubose, being the neighbor of Scout and Jem harasses them

In To Kill a Mockingbird one example of racial inequality is when in it says “That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one, to say nothing of her having command of two languages”(Lee 143). Also in the book it talks about how all of the black people live on one side out of town, and almost no white people live there. Another example of racial

Justice. “the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness. [dictionary.com]” Justice is implyed when something in the right thing to do, whether or not the decision is in favoe of the reciever. Fairness. “the state, condition, or quality of being fair, or free from bias or injustice; evenhandedness. [dictionary.com]” Fairness is implyed when In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the concepts of justice and fairness are two conflicting topics. They don’t seem like they are two concepts that would have conflicts, though in this story, they are clearly displayed as conflicting topics. One thing is the fair thing to do, but it is not just. Many characters are prime examples of this idea, like Tom Robinson’s

Unquestionably, the biggest form of inequality in To Kill a Mockingbird is racism against African-Americans. Scout never discriminated against blacks like the other people in town because of her interaction with Calpurnia; however she catches her first glimpse of racism after her father decides to take the case of Tom Robinson.

In societies like Maycomb, Social class determines the way families and people are treated and limits your everyday actions. The Cunninghams a family of a low class, are treated differently. Scout once said ¨ He ain't company, Cal, he's just a

In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author explores the issue of justice using the symbol of the mockingbird. Placed in, the 1930s, a time of great depression and inequality, the book presents injustice acts to the most kind yet blamed citizens of the town Maycomb. The symbolism of the mockingbird and the characters are essential for the message of Harper Lees novel because the kind, but African-American Tom Robinson is unfairly put on trial for the “rape” of Mayella Ewell. Also, Arthur “Boo” Radley is victimized by the rumors the towns people have created about him, forcing him to live alone inside his house with his brother, Nathan Radley. Lastly Atticus Finch, is known by the town for being a good human being and sticking

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is an exceedingly powerful novel. It includes many significant minor themes such as racism and hatred which leave the reader to have grown more attentive to the past once they complete the book. The book takes place in Maycomb County Alabama during the great depression. During this period there was a great deal of hate and prejudice towards people of color, in addition to a great regard to social class. The novels protagonists, Atticus Finch a well-respected lawyer and his children Jeremy “Jem” Finch and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch are a few of the towns occupants who respect others regardless of social class or race. For this reason, Atticus has no objections

In the historical novel To Kill A Mocking Bird, By Harper Lee, justice and racism are recurring subjects. Lee uses characters such as Calpurnia and Mr. Raymond to show how often people are denied rights because of racism. The African American’s are portrayed as the scapegoat, many characters are being blamed for things just because they are African American. This reflects the characters’ attitude to the African American population. Lee uses the setting and culture in To Kill a Mockingbird to express the social class of 1930’s Alabama, negatively to show how racist some characters’ were.

Discrimination is the main focus of this novel. Racism may seem like the only form of discrimination present but there are many other varieties such as being outcast and ostracized. The Maycomb society in To Kill a Mockingbird finds it hard to accept people that are different from the average standard of the community. The people that do not fit in with the society are often cast out and demonized over time. The prime example of this in the novel is Arthur Radley. Arthur had an unfortunate history. He was “aquainted with some of the Cunninghams (pg 10)” in his teens and eventually ended up in court charged with disorderly conduct. He could not be locked up with Negroes because the Negroes could not cope with him so he ended up in the court-house basement for a period of time. He was eventually released but remained locked up by being “chained to the bed most of the time (pg12)” back at home by Mr. Radley. Since Arthur was absent from the Maycomb community, he was eventually condemned and known as the “malevolent phantom (pg9)” who “went out at night when the moon was high and peeped in windows (pg)” of the Maycomb people. “When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he breathed on them.

Throughout the history of humankind, inequality has always played a key role in shaping the world. Prejudice has placed certain people at a higher status than others. Due to discrimination, those who are different will suffer the consequences of social inequality. This scenario can be seen throughout the world, from politics to a nation’s justice system. Those who are at a disadvantage, such as living in poverty, being lonely, and having mentally or physically challenges, will succumb to the harassment of social inequality. This is taught in modern age classics such as John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Zara Neale Hurston’s short story, “Sweat.” Powerful symbols and memorable plots portray

In Maycomb County, the acceptance of the Cunningham family is directly tied to their social status, or lack of. Atticus tells Scout, “. . . Mr. Cunningham is basically a good man, he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us.” This adamant declaration of Mr. Cunningham’s character, partially due to the loyalty of his business dealings with Atticus Finch, portrays character traits of an honest and trustworthy

Racial injustice has been a problem since the beginning of America. We can see this through literature, such as in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Just Mercy. To Kill a Mockingbird is about the Finch’s, their life in Maycomb, AL, and their struggles with being open minded in a closed minded place. The novel takes place in the 1930’s when racial injustice was still a very common sight. Just Mercy is about Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer, and his issues with trying to improve the criminal justice system. He sees the amount of racial injustice in our courts, and deals with cases of injustice. It is still a problem today, even with our advancement. Racial injustice has been shown throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Just Mercy, and modern day society.