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Theme Of Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

To Kill a Mocking Bird is a novel that addresses various ideas surrounding the 1930s, including discrimination. As the novel develops, Scout reveals the different types of discrimination that are present in Maycomb. The information that she obtains is through observations, inferences, experiences, and dialogues with other characters from the book. Various forms of discrimination are present in To Kill A Mockingbird and add tension, develop the plot, and contribute to themes in the novel. Disabilities, social economic status, gender, religious, and racial discrimination can be observed throughout the novel. Arthur Radley is discriminated in To Kill A Mockingbird due to his mental disabilities. According to To Kill A Mockingbird, “Miss Stephanie Crawford said she woke up in the middle of the night one time and saw him looking straight through the window at her… said his head was like a skull lookin‘ at her… he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained…” (Lee 16). After Arthur Radley was kept in his home for years without any contact from the outside world, rumors began to spread in Maycomb. Some of the rumors were that he would spy on people in the middle of the night and that he ate cats. This eventually led to people being fearful and discriminating against him. In reality, Arthur suffered from mental disabilities that were developed after being in confinement in his house for years without contact with people. Throughout the book, Scout’s views on Arthur change from being fearful to understanding. At the beginning of the novel, her opinion is influenced by the town’s gossips and rumors. Tension was built after the fire incident where Scout was scared that Arthur places a blanket on her shoulder; her fear is attributed to Maycomb’s thoughts on Arthur. But as the story develops, she begins to realize that Arthur is just a victim of society’s judgment and his parents’ parenting. She expresses that she understands why he stays indoors than taking part of Maycomb’s community and how the hypocrisy, judgment of others, and the constant discrimination of people is accounted for it. This leads to Lee’s theme of society destroying innocence. During Arthur’s visit to

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