Racism Is a Product of Stupid Human Pride
“Racism is taught in our society; it is not automatic. It is learned behaviour toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics.” (Alex Haley) Racism is not a thing that you are born with, racism is learnt through the language of the society around you. Harper Lee in her book To Kill a Mockingbird explores the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. In this novel, it is exemplified that racism is taught, not inherited. Consequently, Racism is a belief usually involving the fact of that one’s race is more superior and has the right to rule or dominate others. In the novel, it showcases the treatment of Negroes as immoral in comparison to the other race. Therefore, this kind of behaviour will be observed by the children leading them to follow in the footsteps of their parents. They further degrade the Negroes by calling them offensive names, which is considered normal in their society. To sum up this, Atticus is the only one who stands up for Tom Robinson and it is a strong held assumption in the society that he is guilty of raping Mayell Ewell, a white girl, even before there is a trial. Lee in her novel challenges the concept of an abundant explanation of racism, which is taught by the behaviours of the people in your society.
The Negroes are considered as immoral human beings in comparison to the other race, this is a treatment that is exemplified to the forthcoming generations. A
Racism is a big part in “To kill a mockingbird”,and is a very important part of the story.the town's people of maycomb are very opposite to African American, one of example in the book the Tom Robinson's trial case where to had give a trueful,the jury still sided with Bob Ewell because he was a white man “I close my eyes as Judy Taylor was polling the jury vote ;guilty guilty guilty “Pg 209 this quote few the book shows that the body jury did vote Tom Robinson 100% guilty without looking at the evidence, they think because he african american he lying, and don't see his side of the story they just see the white man story and assume is true.Even with the evidence they think he is guilty even. . In today's times there is not that much racism but it does exist for instance jet in the story is not being racially at all but during the case he didn't understand like Atticus pointed out “ if you (jem) had been on the jury son, and the eleven other boy like you Tom would be a freeman.the
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
The whole town of Maycomb is racist, which makes Atticus’s job harder trying to defend Tom Robinson against the word of a white man.Tom Robinson’s case is unjust since he is black and the majority of Maycomb revert to the stereotype that all blacks are immoral and criminals. “Quote” shows that it is a situation where little is possible to do when defending a black man because the town of Maycomb is deeply affected by racism they tend to only make decisions based on the race and so immediately think Tom Robinson is guilty, that he did indeed raped Mayella when there was so much evidence to prove otherwise. This is challenging for Atticus, since he has to persuade everyone to pretend there is no stereotype about blacks and that they are human
Rosa Parks once famously 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.” Through the use of this quote, Rosa Parks stresses the importance of making one’s children aware of racism. More specifically, Rosa Parks wishes for others to make their children aware of the negative impact racism could have to themselves and the people around them. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, a constantly recurring topic is racism. Racism appears throughout many scenarios in the book and is the reason Tom Robinson is on trial for the rape of Miss Mayella Ewell. Racism, although a negative societal issue, affects maturing children by providing them insight into not only the society around them but,
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Racism is ever present toward blacks and the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American, clearly displays this. Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. The huge detail in this is that it was a white woman. Racial issues are really brought about because of that detail. People during this time would easily take a white man’s word over that of a black man, so nobody would ever trust Tom Robinson, especially since he was a black man being accused of a crime against a white woman. Tom Robinson really can’t do anything to help his case. The only person that can help him is Atticus. While Atticus does not believe that he will win the case, he knows that it is right to do everything he can to help Tom. He knows right from wrong and he will do everything in his power to help people see that, and to help Tom survive this case. Tom Robinson could also be described as a Mockingbird in this story. If proven innocent, he would be
There are many racism problems in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus is a lawyer in the racist state of Alabama and he is trying to defend a man by the name of Tom Robinson after he got accused for raping a white woman. Atticus knows that nobody is going to believe Tom’s side of the story because he is black in the racist state of Alabama. Through Atticus’s morals the reader learns that he feels obligated to help this
In Part 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces Atticus Finch as a father who rejects ideas or practices of racism. At school, Scout hears Cecil Jacob shout that her father, Atticus, is defending ‘niggers’. Later that day, when Scout asks her father what Cecil meant, Atticus explains that he is defending a Negro named Tom Robinson. Scout was stunned by his unexpected response. When Scout asks why, Atticus responds, “I’m simply defending a Negro… for a number of reasons. The main one is if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (86) By accepting Tom Robinson’s case without a single argument, Atticus really shows his civility towards Negroes, even when they are not respected by anyone else in the state. Atticus seeks to treat Tom as an individual while rejecting racism in all forms, both language, and behavior. Not only does this show his belief in racial equality, but it also shows his courage.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, presents racism throughout the book proving racism is catastrophic. The time of this book was during World War II. In this novel, Tom Robinson was a very important character. He was a black male who had been charged of raping a white girl named Mayella. Mayella, had accused Tom because her father had seen her kiss a black man and then beat her. In this time of day, kissing a black man was forbidden. Mayella had no other to blame but Tom Robinson. She knew no one would take a black man's word over a white woman anyway. They’re many other racist acts happening in this book. Another clear example is the bullying Jem and Scout have to deal with because of Atticus, their father, being Tom’s defense
Imagine being persecuted your entire life. Having to constantly respect someone even though they were rude to you. This is what many African-Americans had to go through during the 1930’s. Racism is a major aspect in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The main character, Scout, has to deal with this problem everyday. Bob Ewell, Mr. Cunningham, and other characters are very racist, and don’t approve of Atticus defending a “Negroe”. This causes Scout to be bullied in school and even attacked by Mr. Ewell. Also, characters such as Tom Robinson are negatively affected by racism in Maycomb. Tom is killed just because of his skin color. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s use of point-of-view, irony, and symbolism help to develop
Race is the dominant cause of inequality in To Kill A Mockingbird, thus Maycomb’s views on race heavily influence every aspect of life. Although racial inequality is clearly illustrated in the in the injustice, prejudice, discrimination and antagonism surrounding the Tom Robinson trial, it is also shown more subtly throughout the novel. In chapter 25 Atticus Finch is quoted disclosing that the corrupt justice system is a direct cause of a racist society. “In our courts, when it's a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Pg 295). To emphasize, on the same occasion Atticus attempts to explain to his children how widely spread racism is, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life”
Tom Robinson’s role in this book shows a lot of prejudice. He is a black man convicted of raping a white women. This book is set in the 1930s, during this time period the Jim Crow Laws were still in place and racism was big. ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling” (Lee, pg 197). Tom Robinson is talking about how he felt sorry for Miss Mayella, who is white. Mr Gilmer gets very upset stating that a nigger should not feel sorry for a white woman. "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads -- they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the fact of life.” (Lee, pg.220) Atticus is talking to the kids about how Tom Robinson will get the death sentence because of the color of his skin and how the jury looks at him. He talks about there is no court in Alabama that would’ve gave him something less. Basically it was Tom against a town full of white folks. Tom is a big symbol of prejudice in the book.
Maycomb's unjust beliefs on race determined the outcome of Tom Robinson's trail. Atticus´s defence was more than enough to set Tom free, but Maycomb's ignorance and narrow-minded view on African Americans set an innocent man to jail. Atticus told Jem "If you had been on that jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man" (Lee 295). The jury members had been affected by the ignorance of society. They convicted Tom because when they grow up they learned racists beliefs and they do not know any other way. In Maycomb, racism is a normal part of everyday life. When kids at Scouts school call Atticus a n***** lover. Atticus explains to Scout what it means, "Scout," said Atticus, "n*****-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves.¨ (144). The racists views and attitudes determined the guilty verdict of Tom. In Atticus closing argument, he says "She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man¨(272). Society has a set of rules which are not written but known, these rules tend to be ignorant and impartial. When it comes to race and the misguided beliefs about race, there is a profusion of ignorance. The expectations on race set by society affect the actions and events of life.
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Racism is still an issue that can be seen in the twenty-first century. Although, tons of progress has been made over the last century, some still hold on to racist beliefs. The majority of classic American literature demonstrates the racism that was present in the early twentieth century. By looking at the theme of race in the American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is clear that people are quick to judge others based on their own opinions and feelings.
Imagine being in a society where people are judged because of the color of their skin. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. As much as, Atticus wanted to help Tom Robinson with his case. Unfortunately, Atticus lost the case to Mayella Ewell and her father Bob Ewell. It was very difficult to help an African American man with a case like his because many white people at the time disliked African Americans. Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird uses the theme of racism, which is shown through segregation, events in the school, and has situations of racism that compare to racism in the modern world.
The way that children are raised is a source of racism. From a young age, children look up to their parents as idols and teachers. Their opinions and beliefs are passed down to their children. Children do not know any better; they have not had any time to search for their own opinions. In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Scout and Jem are brought up in a non-racist household. Their father, Atticus, believes that everyone is equal and that people shouldn’t be prejudiced on because of their skin colour. When Atticus defended an African American man who ended up going to jail for doing something innocent, Jem and Scout do not understand why people would do that. The rest of the town knew that he was innocent too, but chose to put him in jail anyway because the whites were superior over the African Americans. Atticus brought up Jem and Scout through his opinions of African American people. Their opinions are the same as