preview

The Problem Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most loved books ever written. Many of you may have read it when you were younger in an English class, but there are some important lessons in this novel that you may have missed. These lessons have a positive impact on children’s world view and point out the problem of racism in society. The problem of racism is prominent throughout the novel are still relevant to this day.

Set in the 1930’s in the fictional town of Maycomb and told from the perspective of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the story is semi biographical and is reminiscent of Harper Lee’s life. The trial in the novel was based on two court cases involving African Americans who were convicted and discriminated because of their skin colour. During this time period, society was just coming out of the Great Depression, many people were unemployed and poor, and segregation was enforced. Racism was everywhere and still is, however it is kept out of public view.

Throughout the novel, Scout and her brother Jem learn the harsh realities of the world in which they live, beginning with the trial of Tom Robinson. Along the way, they learn five very important life lessons from their father; empathy, innocence, true courage, the unfairness of the world and how to fight with your head.

The first lesson Scout learns is empathy. Empathy is an extremely important skill when trying to understand people. Atticus puts it to her saying “You never really understand a person until you consider

Get Access