Theme Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Scout begins as a child who isn’t really aware of the situations surrounding her environment. As most kids do she uses her imagination to suffice for much more important topics. For example, her neighbor who they refer to as “Boo Radley” is seen as a crazy murdering psychopath who roams the streets at night looking for food. Scouts interpretation of Boo Radley is nothing more but a clear instance of a young child settling for their own imaginations. Another instance of immaturity

Analyse how symbolism was used to convey an interesting idea in an extended written text

In the story Scout has many experiences. A few of these experiences consist of sneaking around with her brother to get a peek at the infamous Arthur (Boo) Radley, a man who was constantly locked away in his home during the day, who the children feared, but also found curiosity in. Another experience would be when she watched the court trial of Tom Robinson, an African- American man who was put on trial of raping a woman, a man who her father was defending. One other would be when an insane man, Robert Ewell made an attempt on her life and her brother’s, however

“Prejudice is a learned trait. You’re not born with it; you’re taught it,” said Charles R Swindoll (Author). Prejudice is incorporated into How to Kill a Mockingbird in many ways. Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Miss Maudie are some of the ways prejudice is shown.

Prejudice is defined as: “An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.” Harper Lee explores this theme throughout To Kill A Mockingbird with various characters demonstrating or being affected by it, especially because it is set in the turbulent time of 1930s southern USA. In particular, the theme is prominent in the characters Arthur (Boo) Radley, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson. I will begin with Arthur (Boo) Radley.

To Kill a Mockingbird taught viewers a lot of lessons about racial prejudice, prejudice, and bravery, and that caused the critics to praise the film. An example of racial prejudice in the film is when Atticus is sitting outside the jail protecting Tom Robinson because there was a concern of a lynch mob coming for Tom. Everyone in the mob believes Tom is guilty because of the color of his skin. Then, Scout, Jem, and Dill run up to defend Atticus from the mob. Scout spots Mr. Cunningham among the group, and asks him how his entailments are coming along. Scout also says she goes to school with his son. When Scout tells Mr. Cunningham that entailments are bad, the group and Mr. Cunningham look ashamed. Then, Mr. Cunningham tells the group to clear out. The group of people that came to lynch

First of all, one example that shows prejudice in the novel is social prejudice. Social prejudice is when an individual or group negatively show incorrect attitude to someone based on the individual’s membership of a social group. Harper Lee puts many examples of social prejudice throughout the story, starting from the beginning of the novel to the end. One of the examples that stands out is the character Dolphus Raymond. Dolphus is a wealthy white man who prefers the company of African American. He is married with his African American women and has fathered a number of mixed children. Just like his children he is also mocked by the town. The children are mocked by the town because of their mixed skin color and Raymond is also mocked

Prejudice means an opinion that is not based on reasoning or actual experience. In To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, prejudice is portrayed in many ways. For example, when the townspeople of Maycomb hear that Scout Finch’s dad, Atticus, is defending a black man in a court case, the kids in school began to hector Scout for his Dad’s actions. “This order, given by me to Cecil Jacobs was the beginning of a rather thin time for Jem and me.” (Lee, pg 99) says Scout after the long school day. “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!” (Lee, pg 102) said, Cecil, after Scout confronted him about it the next day. This is an example of prejudice because even though the trial hasn’t begun yet, people are already against Tom Robinson. By looking at his dark skin color, the townspeople already believe that he is guilty. Even after Atticus Finch brought in evidence and strong arguments that Bob Ewell was really the one who had done harm to Mayella Ewell. But the all-white jury still believed that Tom was responsible for Mayella’s abuse. “Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with…” (Lee, pg 292).

“To Kill a Mocking Bird” is a novel which was written by Harper Lee. In my essay I will discuss how Harper Lee explores the theme of prejudice by looking at the writing techniques and how they affect people.

After Scout is able to see the town from a perspective she had never seen before-- the Radley’s porch-- she can finally understand a loaded and deep piece of advice from Atticus. An outgrowth of her change is the growth of her character and her mind. Although Scout’s ignorance pops up all over the plot of To Kill a Mockingbird, she is able to make significant strides towards changing it. However, Scout was aided in her endeavors to change by outside

Racism is a big contributor to the disorder and dysfunction that occurs in the small town Maycomb. For example, when Calpurnia, the Finch's cook, brings Jem and Scout to her church that mainly consists of African Americans, someone at the door says, “I wants to know why you bringin white chillun to nigger church” (Lee 135). People were expected to go to church with someone of the same race during this time; if this did not happen, then they were treated differently. Boo Radley, a neighbor to the Finch’s, stabbed his father, Mr. Radley, in the leg with scissors in the beginning of the story, and “The Sheriff hadn’t the heart to put him in jail alongside Negroes, so Boo was locked in the courthouse basement”(Lee 12). Whites and Blacks did not even want to be in the same vicinity as the other color. When Tom Robinson was brought to trial, Dill became really upset when Mr. GIlmer “called him ‘boy’ all the time and sneered at him, an’ looked around at the jury every time he answered” (Lee 226). Mr. Gilmer did not show Tom Robinson any respect when he should have because people in their society had no respect for blacks. Since racism causes a big trial towards the end of the story, it causes the loss of life of an innocent man.

In the poem, Maya Angelou demonstrates the pain and hardship of African Americans caused white people over hundreds of years. Even though everyone was prejudiced towards her, such as telling her lies, she did not let them push her down, and instead she kept on fighting for the rights that her people deserve. Harper Lee reveals how prejudice goes hand in hand with empathy, in the book To Kill A Mockingbird.

Unfair treatment makes discrimination evident. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird takes place when The Great Depression occurred during the 1930’s in an Alabama small town called “Maycomb”. To Kill a Mockingbird is written in the perspective of a little girl by the name of Jean Louise Finch (Scout finch) who is a stubborn, impulsive and outspoken little girl who throughout the novel gains maturity, becomes more observant, and understanding through life alongside her father. Harper Lee’s award winning novel is focused around the social, gender, and racial discrimination and, the affect it has on the people of Maycomb.

This demonstrated the emotional journey that the kids are going through realising that they don’t have a mum and the fact Atticus feels a sense of despair and sorry as he listened to their conversation. In the end Scout has grown matured and has overcome the prejudice and has understood the neighbourhood gossip does not necessarily tell the truth judging by her self-experience.

Decades ago, in the 1930s, people of color were not treated fairly. Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird took place in the 1930s in the fictional place of Macomb County, Alabama. It was narrated through a young girl named Scout Finch. Throughout the novel, Scout, her older brother, Jem, and their good friend Dill discover realities of society. Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus, was appointed to be the attorney of a black man. Because of the time period, the case was almost hopeless, but Atticus fought anyway. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird displays universal themes such as racial intolerance and innocence of youth.