Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Racism is something that most people would claim they do not believe in or support; however, as clearly shown in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, racism is a disease that spreads through a region and worsens as time goes on. Racism is an issue that is still prevalent in the American society today, and Harper Lee’s timeless novel continues to teach the lesson that one needs to look beyond the color of another man’s skin and see them for who they truly are. Mr. Raymond’s conversation with Dill after Tom Robinson’s testimony initially shows that racism is better comprehended with age. He says, “Let him get a little older and he won’t get sick and cry… Cry about the hell white people give to colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people too” (Lee, 1960, p. 269). Here, it becomes clear that children can be naive to racism and the evil in the world, but as they continue to grow up in an area that feels so strongly about white supremacy, they become immune to the injustice and prejudice. Further, Mr. Raymond’s words allow the reader to better understand the severity of the racism in Maycomb and the entirety of the country. It also unveils a crucial theme in the novel, namely that one must consider a person of color to be no different from oneself, as all humans are equal. Additionally, racism is repeatedly referred to as a disease in the novel, which is explained when Atticus is talking to Uncle Jack about the trial and he says “‘... I hope and pray I can get

Racism is both an ideology and a system of domination. To be racist is not just a misuse of derogatory slurs and whatnot. Only certain communities have the power and the privilege to be racist. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird racism was one of the most recurring themes. Communities as well as specific characters were impacted by racism. Tom Robinson, Calpurnia, Bob Ewell and Dolphus Raymond were characters that suffered from Racism.

During the Great Depression, racism and prejudice were the cause of suffering for many people who were greatly affected by discriminating thoughts. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Maycomb County is a town also filled with the evils of racism of prejudice, but that immorality is often hidden by certain of acts of courage and goodness enacted by the citizens of Maycomb. In her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays the importance of courage through characters Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, who all persevere through the path of rightness in the face of prejudiced and disapproving opinions, without worrying about the consequences of their actions. Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson brings many disapprovals from others but he still continues to fight for him, although he knows that there is a high chance of Tom Robinson being doomed because of his race. Mrs. Dubose exemplifies courage because even though it costs her life and invited bad thoughts from others, she stays determined to get free of her addiction. Scout, an innocent, young girl, shows courage by defending what she thinks is right, although the consequences may not be good for her.

Racism has been a big part of the human race ever since people were born. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the townspeople of Maycomb, Alabama misjudge the African-Americans of their town. They treat them like trash, and some people even think they are just filthy beings. Clearly, then, racism has had many ubiquitous effects on many of Maycomb's citizens.

Racism was very “popular” as you should say back in the 1930’s . Whites had all the power while blacks and other minorities were suppose to fear them. In Maycomb , Alabama racism was around and had effects on citizens. Segregating whites from blacks is a horrid thing. It’s inhuman to say you're better than someone else because of their skin color. We as humans are equal some may be more wealthy than others but when it all comes down to it we will all go in the same box in the same ground. Racism was and still is a horrible thing and it affected a lot people.

Racism was a very large part of society in the south during the 1930’s. Many colored people were thought of as less than their peers. Whites were considered better than African Americans were, and almost every white person accepted the unjust judgment. Racial discrimination hit hard in the south. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird were impacted by racial discrimination, including Calpurnia, Scout, and Tom Robinson and his family.

Rosa Parks once said, “Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.” Atticus Finch a character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee follows this quote to the nail when he chooses to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus triumphs over the obstacles we call racism when he defends a black defendant accused of rape in a southern Alabama town in the 1930’s. Throughout the novel Atticus Finch has an optimistic, wise, and moral personality that proves to help and support many people including his own kids.

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, addresses the issues of racism and discrimination in the south during the 1930s through a trial concerning rape. Tom Robinson, though convicted of this crime, was innocent. The evidence within the case shows that Tom Robinson is innocent because of Mayella Ewell, the young lady that claims she was raped, has most of her bruises on her right side, however, Tom Robinson’s left arm is completely useless. To add, Tom sounds more trustworthy than the other two witnesses, Mayella and Bob Ewell. The first witness, Heck Tate, says during his testimony, “‘It was her right eye, Mr. Finch. I remember now, she was bunged up on that side of the face…’” (Lee 225), with this information, it makes it less likely that Tom Robinson had assaulted Mayella because “his left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right” (Lee 248). However, it is more probable that Bob Ewell abused Mayella because, during Bob Ewell’s cross-examination, Atticus asks him to write his name, and Judge Taylor realizes Bob Ewell is left-handed when announcing, “‘You’re left-handed, Mr. Ewell’” (Lee 237). During Heck Tate’s testimony, he says that Mayella’s right side of the face was beaten up, however, Tom Robinson’s left arm is shorter than his right, so it is implausible he would have pummelled Mayella’s face, but it’s more likely for Bob Ewell to do so because he is left-handed, and, in general, is a horrible person. This proves Tom could not have walloped Mayella’s right

names’s Tom Robinson”. Discuss the effects of racism on Maycomb citizens such as Tom and Helen Robinson,

“To Kill A Mockingbird” is marvelous and unforgettable novel. Not only show how dramatic, sad in and old town – Maycomb be like, but through her unique writings, some big conflicts about politics and critical is going on through this tired old Southern town. Not just in general like education, friendship, neighbors but also pacific in individuals like family and the people’s characteristics themselves. In one book yet can covered with such many problems, Harper Lee must have been experienced a lot and deeply understanding that time. That is why the book lives, becoming literature and get the love from the audiences a lot. One of the problem and mostly run along with the story and interest me is racism between white people and black people

A black man, Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white nineteen year old women. Harper Lee knew that uring the 1930s, Whites in the south could not believe that a women would falsely accuse someone of rape because they believed they were pure. Today, there is still disparagement against African Americans and would affect the overall trial. The trail in To Kill a Mockingbird took place in the southern 1930s which meant the jury and the judge were racist white males. In Alabama 2016 juries are still a problem and would not ensure a fair trial. Although, if tried in Alabama of 2016, Tom Robinson would be discriminated for his race but ultimately would not be convicted.

Throughout America Racism has been a major problem. One of the reasons it is a problem is because of the KKK or Ku Klux Klan and it is clearly seen that the group is racist. In Harper Lee’s Novel “ To Kill A Mockingbird” racism is also clearly seen throughout the town. When an angry mob ambushes Tom Robinson it is similar to what the KKK did.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is A story of a biased trial filled with an extreme amount of racial prejudice. The story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, during the mid 1930s. The story is being told by a girl named Scout Finch. Scout witnessed her father Atticus Finch, a successful lawyer, stand trial with a suspected rapist Tom Robinson. Tom was a black man who lived in a small town filled with many prejudiced people. The victim, Mayella Ewell, the daughter of Bob Ewell, tells her story of what happened the afternoon that changed Tom Robinsons life forever. Racial prejudice was a horrible thing that happened quite often in the 1930s. Tom was a harmless man but his skin color ended up taking his life and hurting many people around him. As everyone knows, during this time period, slaves had just been freed and blacks were definitely not treated with the respect they deserved. Atticus Many times during the book asked his nanny Calpurina, an elderly black women, what she thought about the trial and even asked for advice. Calpurnia had pretty well been with Jim and Scout their entire life. Calpurnia was constantly trying to teach the two right from wrong and that all people are the same despite the color of their skin. Atticus always tried to remind his children that skin was only a color. Atticus told Jim and Scout during a conversation one afternoon, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday…whenever a white man does that to a black man no matter

The theme in “to kill a mockingbird” is how racism can get innocent people in trouble. When the narrator sees that Atticus was defending a black man, everyone thought it was a lost cause due to the fact he’s black and will easily lose. Scout learns that Atticus is defending a black man and then Scout asks before the trial “” Atticus are we going to win it?” “No honey.”” This quote explains that Atticus already knows that he is going to lose to an unfair jury due to racism and even though people think he might win, but deep down they already know he will lose. Since Atticus already knows he will lose, the reader can infer that as much as he tries he can’t change racism in the county and seats a saddening mood.

Al Sharpton an American Civil Rights Activist, once said, “As I often say, we have come a long way from the days of slavery, but in 2014, discrimination and inequality still saturate our society in modern ways. Though racism may be less blatant now in many cases, its existence is undeniable.” Undoubtedly, racism is still an issue today; it is heard about in the news almost daily. There are even statistics to prove it. Racism continues to be one of the world’s major issues. Harper Lees, To Kill a Mockingbird gives us insight about the racism that happened before the Civil Rights Movement. No one is trying to change it today, which is why it still happens. One of the main subjects of To Kill a Mockingbird, racism, is still as present as it was in the 1930s as heard about today most frequently in the news.