preview

Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

Justice has long been considered something that is important to the success of a society. However justice in itself is something that is hard to achieve. Recently in the news, a story has arisen regarding a father who was not able to afford a lawyer, due to this he was not able to see his kids for five years. This is what some people would call political injustice, a case in which someone's given rights have been ignored. This is very common despite people saying that justice should be given to all people. Social injustice is a case in which people are affected by less government and law related issues, including, environmental rights, civil rights, and an access to education. This can be also seen clearly in “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Through the society that Harper Lee portrays in her novel she suggests that justice is something worth fighting for. Examples of both social and polítical injustice becomes apparent.

Social injustice is a common theme throughout the novel. This can appear in cases of stereotypes. Many people in the town of Maycomb have families that are over generalized. Such as the Cunninghams, who “never took anything they can't pay back.” (Lee 26). However some of these stereotypes are very inaccurate. For instance, Walter Cunningham went to dinner with the Finches, this was something that he could not pay back, but he did it anyway. Or when Scout was able to help snap Mr.Cunningham back to reality when he was trying to intimidate Atticus.

Get Access