Inequality and Prejudice in Harper Lee's Novel To Kill A Mockingbird

Social inequality is an uncivilized ranking scale which was created by simple minded people who held the fear being surpassed. The argument made by Harper Lee in her work To Kill a Mockingbird is that social inequality is a hierarchy that is complex and affects everyone. More specifically, the author argues that the racial boundaries put between the black and white during the 1930’s caused great stress. This is proven in the novel multiple times. The people of Maycomb judge one another based on the background and wealth of their families. Not only do they judge each other within the community, they discriminate against anyone different than them. Social inequality does not only exist in the form of racism, there are many forms; some of the major ones appear in this book. Social inequality based purely on family background, social inequality based on the wealth of the individual and family, and racism. These are three of the major forms of social inequality that appear numerous times in the book.

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

What are the rules by which one must treat another human being? The two most important rules are justice and fairness. By definition, justice is the act of rewarding the good and punishing the bad , while fairness is treatment without discrimination. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, an innocent man is tried, and because of his race, is determined guilty. In an utopian society, freedom and justice stand side by side. In the town of Maycomb Alabama however, cases that include racism and prejudice occur every day. However, these people are seen in the eyes of Atticus, Scout, and Jem as innocent “mockingbirds” who benefit the lives of others. There are many people in the world who take justice and fairness to heart, and treat

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.

Atticus said, “They’ve done it befor and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep”(Lee 285). To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is about two siblings , Jem and Scout, who live in a small town called Maycomb. Their father Atticus, is a well known lawyer, who is defending an African American that was accused of raping a white women. Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout are introduced to discrimination and learn that it’s an everlasting problem. Prejudice and discrimination are important themes in To Kill a Mockingbird because of racism, sexism, and ageism.

Inequality is a theme that runs throughout all of history. Harper Lee uses the theme of inequality in her book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson must deal with inequality when he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit because no one will trust a black man over a white man. The Cunningham family must face discrimination because of their lack of money. Scout even faces inequality when she tries to play with Jem and Dill. The theme of inequality is a strong one in Lee’s book, and her use of inequality doesn’t only define racism, but also discrimination based on wealth and gender.

Alexandra maintains the stereotypical concept of what is the white southern feministic racist. All of the attributes sort of melt together and perpetuate one another. She retains her feministic way by getting Calpurnia, the black helper, to do all of her physical labor for her. An example of this behavior is present in the scene in which Alexandra arrives at the Finches’ house and commands Calpurnia to take her suitcase and her belongings upstairs so she can retain the feministic southern air about her. The prejudice attitude she has is also being passed down through the family. In one scene Scout beats up her annoying cousin for calling Atticus a “nigger-lover”. The only thing Alexandra does is getting on to scout for fighting and telling her it is unladylike to fight (Richards).

The prejudice seen in the fictional novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee corresponds with the real narrow-mindedness during this time period. A fair trial would be unlikely during this time period between a white and a black man. Tom Robinson was presumed guilty because of his race.

at all! If a woman wants to be on a jury and meets all the

Life is like a thrill ride; one never knows what will be in store for them. Many characters in the story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee feel the same way about life, having experienced many surprising and unexpected turns of events. This story is about a sleepy southern town filled with prejudice, and a lawyer’s quest, along with his children Scout and Jem, to take steps in ridding the town of its prejudiced attitude. Despite being a white man, a lawyer named Atticus, defends an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. However, everything does not go as was hoped, and the mindset of the society overpowered Atticus’s fair-minded argument. From this emerges a theme regarding the bigotry and bias overwhelming Maycomb: A

In Harper Lee’s bildungsroman or “coming-of-age” novel To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Lee’s experiences as a child growing up in Alabama in the 1930’s, the theme of social inequality is woven throughout the novel as seen through the eyes of the narrator, Scout Finch. Scout is evidently a representation of Lee, who was similarly the child of an attorney in rural Alabama. In the early twentieth century, the separation between the races and classes was accepted as the societal norm. Although he is a character who is not even introduced until the second half of the novel, Bob Ewell plays a role in reinforcing the idea, to paraphrase George Orwell, that “all men are created equal, but some are more equal than others.” Due to his race, class, and lineage, Harper Lee displays that Bob Ewell’s low place in society was determined at birth, and would continue to be passed down to his children and future generations, without any chance to improve their lot in life or how the rest of society saw them.

Have you ever thought about social justice? What does social justice mean to you? Social justice means that everyone should be treated with fairness & equality. Society shouldn’t be judged by their skin color or race, social justice makes everyone in society equal. Social justice matters because society feels judged by their race, skin color, sexual preference, etc.

I believe in equality and fairness between all beings of this Earth. Maycomb County is a place like most southern states in which people are not all treated as they wish. When the town experienced the Tom Robinson case, my dad, Atticus defended a black man in a case he knew was not going to be easily won, as a white female named Mayella Ewell. People thought of Atticus in different ways, mostly poorly and ashamed as people were very unthoughtful towards the black race. Just because someone has a different color of skin, does not mean he is a bad human being. Some black people are good, and people lead to quick to assume they’re not. Atticus stated in his closing statement to the jury, “The assumption- the evil assumption- that all negroes lie,

To Kill a Mocking Bird is a novel that addresses various ideas surrounding the 1930s, including discrimination. As the novel develops, Scout reveals the different types of discrimination that are present in Maycomb. The information that she obtains is through observations, inferences, experiences, and dialogues with other characters from the book. Various forms of discrimination are present in To Kill A Mockingbird and add tension, develop the plot, and contribute to themes in the novel. Disabilities, social economic status, gender, religious, and racial discrimination can be observed throughout the novel.

An unlikely hero is someone who, despite being expected to fail, overcomes their obstacles and becomes a force of change. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee features many undervalued characters whose opinion is typically not valued. Despite facing harsh marginalization, characters like Calpurnia, Boo, Tom, and Atticus are still able to have major impacts on the way traditional stereotypes about racial equality, gender roles, and social class are seen through the eyes of Maycomb’s citizens and future generations, portraying them as heroes within the story.