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Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

Before the trial, Maycomb’s racist way of living brings down the innocent people in the town. Maycomb’s disease, also known as racism, influences the decisions and actions of the people. However, some people in the town do not have the disease, allowing them to see through the racism and help others. For instance, Atticus says to scout when they were talking about the trial, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 76). What Atticus means, when he says this, is that everyone in their society is equal and even if someone is different, they should still be treated with the same amount of respect. Atticus knows he will not win the trial, but he knows what is right, and he wants to bring justice to the system. While going to the courthouse, Jem, Scout, and Dill go on a wagon and eventually rode by Miss Maudie’s house. Miss Maudie comes outside and Jem asks her, “You goin’ to court this morning?” Miss Maudie replied, “I am not. ‘t’s morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life. Look at all those folks, it’s like a Roman carnival” (Lee 159). Miss Maudie compares the people at the trial to a Roman carnival, meaning that the trial was unjust and based off of racism. Miss Maudie knew Tom was going to lose because the town is so racist, and the people are so caught up in the town's way of life, they don’t fully understand what is right and wrong. Racism, a large factor of justice in the town, lead to the false

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