Theme Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

The theme I chose to write was racism in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Racism is the belief in which ethnic groups account for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. This belief has been a part of the human race ever since people are born, racism is slowly fading, but people cannot that say all do not express it. There are still some who believe one's ethnicity and appearance change everything in that particular person. In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the town's people of Maycomb misjudge African-Americans. They treat them like trash, and through some people's eyes, African-Americans are just filthy beings. In this novel, Lee expresses one's ethnicity and appearance change other's opinions about a certain character, without knowing the character's personality and beliefs. “Harper Lee is against racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.”

"Achievement has no color"-Abraham Lincoln former. Award winning Novel to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper lee is one of the most controversial books in the U.S., mainly because it put the issue of Racism front and center. It is told from the point of view of Maycomb resident Scout Finch a young girl who lives with her brother Jem, her father Atticus and their black housekeeper Calpurnia. Atticus is a widely respected around the community however, after he takes the case of a black man accused of raping a white woman, the upcoming trial divided the town. Racism in to kill a mockingbird directly results in different treatment of characters solely based on skin color evoking anger from the reader.

The central idea of the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is how the author, Harper Lee(Scout), explains the idiocracy of racism. One it should not exist and two racism is a reality. These two explanations are the exact definition of the famous quote “Do not judge a book by its cover.” Harper Lee made this book to prevent future racism from developing and then eventually ceasing it from existence. Racism develops in a way that Scout, Dill and Jem does not see it coming especially when the trial of two individuals of different color becomes in session.

Racism can be heard from different races from different countries. In the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee tells the readers that racism can exist without knowing that it does exists. Different types of races should have the same opportunity as other races.

To Kill a Mockingbird shows how fear and racism are often powerful than reason and intelligence. There are many themes such as gender and age but the major theme is racism. Racism comes in different ways and forms like when it comes from whites, African-Americans, or the non-racist people.

It is no coincidence that the novel To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 30 million copies and is being read throughout most of high school still today. While some critics like Allen Barra believe the novel does not teach anything more than the obvious, To Kill a Mockingbird depicts much more than general themes of racism; there are moral values taught that stand as testaments of the time. Although students are reading the novel over fifty years after the publication, it perfectly epitomizes the time period of the 1930’s. Secondly, “timeless classic” novels have broad themes which cause wide appeal.

“I always thought that Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world,”(246). Looking at the world through innocent eyes if a gift and does not last forever, as it fades the once bright, beautiful world fades into a dark, gloomy one. In the historical-fiction novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, prejudice and racism are shown through the perspective of Jean Louise Finch, known as Scout, and how it impacts family and society. The novel is set back in the 1930s during the great depression and is centred around Scout and Jem, and their adventures with the people of Maycomb and their father, Atticus. As the two children grow, they come to realize and understand the people and the county of Maycomb. From reading the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, when a child is surrounded by racism and prejudice it forces the child to grow up, and see the world as it is, resulting in the loss of innocence. To kill a Mockingbird shows this through the maturity of the characters, the irony in the chapters, and the setting and timeline which the story takes place.

The Great Depression was fraught with hardships for both whites and African Americans alike. Harper Lee’s book is no exception to that rule and there are strong differences between blacks and whites such as how they were viewed in society. There are many eye opening situations in the book like when Tom was convicted and later killed. It is beneficial for “To Kill a Mockingbird” to be told from Scout’s point of view because her child-like innocence highlights the struggles of racism, the social caste system, and the differences in how men and women were viewed during the 1930’s.

To Kill a Mockingbird has long been regarded as a prime example of American literature. Harper Lee’s debut novel became an instant classic, and the consequent film won multiple awards. The novel addresses serious topics such as racism through a child’s view. Many schools nationwide choose to teach with the novel as part of their curriculum. Scout’s take on the events that occurred in Maycomb is widely considered an accurate portrayal of Depression-era Southern America, yet its values have reflected with those all over the country.

Powerfully, emotionally, inspiringly, and very intriguingly, Harper clutches many people’s attention with her knowledge of society from the 1930’s. If someone was rich, they were never fallacious about anything they have done. If someone was impecunious, they were treated just as the dirt that they carried beneath their nails. If someone was white, they were not to treat blacks equally. If someone was a negro, they were seen as penniless people, no matter what the circumstances. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses stereotypes such as gender, racism, and riches to enlighten readers about how differently people were treated because of who they were, or how much they owned.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee addresses many issues. Issues Such as, racism and discrimination. During the 1930’s in the small county of Maycomb, most of the town’s people were racist and discriminated African/American. In the novel, these ideas are explored by the main protagonist Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch.

From the thirteen colonies and the Revolutionary War to today’s booming industries and advanced technology, America has always stood out on the face of the world. From the stunning break from Britain to one of the greatest military developments in history, the United States has held its own among the introduction and full-bloom usage of new technology. However, like all countries, America has been through some dark spots. One of the most tragic was racism, which sparked in the early 19th century and continues to rage rampant today. In the iconic To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, racism is portrayed as a disease, showing the inequality and conflict between social classes it generates. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characterization to convey that racism creates prejudice and antagonism, is similar to a disease, and is immoral.

"This case is as simple as black and white," (271). Atticus Finch is very smart and selective with his words. As time passed, it was easy to see why this quote was so important to the theme of the novel. When Atticus was appointed to defend Mr. Tom Robinson, it caused a major shakeup to the county and his family. The Finch's were often met with hostility and antagonism from others, but they rarely fought back at these people. Although this case could be very damaging to the lives of himself and his children, Atticus knows that he has to defend this innocent black man from his alleged crime. Many of the folks in Maycomb county are furious at Mr. Finch for even agreeing to give an effort to help a colored man because they are racist. In To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, it is clear to see that the author used certain characters, such as Jem, Atticus, and Scout, to address the complex conflict of racism in the novel.

In a 2009 report, 2/3 of the criminals receiving life sentences were non-whites, according to dosomething.org. This shows that racism is still going on today and in Harper Lee's book, To Kill A Mockingbird. This book takes place in Montgomery, Alabama during the depression. The story is told by Jean Louise Finch, who goes by Scout. She lives with her brother named Jeremy Finch or Jem, and her father named Atticus. He is an attorney and not afraid to stand up for what he believes in even if he gets looked down upon. Their dad takes the case of Tom Robinson, who is a colored person. After hours upon hours the jury finds Tom Robinson guilty even though he is actually innocent. It would have been very uncommon for a colored person to be found innocent in Alabama in the 30s. Scout and Jem are baffled by the end result of this case and don't understand why someone would be found guilty just because of the color of their skin. In To Kill a Mockingbird racism is seen very clearly through characters in the book such as, Mr Ewell, Mrs. Dubose, and Cecil Jacobs.

The English writer, H.G. Wells quotes: “Our true nationality is mankind. And our true race is human race.” Races, collectively broken down to what a person looks like and where they live. Yet it goes farther than that, race discrimination exists, racism, and it has thrived for centuries. However, it has mostly happened between the white race against the black. Entertainment has filled many challenges of creating masterpieces of work following racialism. Harper Lee’s classic novel of To Kill a Mockingbird, addresses racism, prejudice and discrimination of events in a quaint southern town. The Finchs, the main protagonists in the book, face much racial injustice in a court trial when a white man’s word against a black man’s. The Finch’s Aunt Alexandrea belittles kind Calpurnia, just because she is of the black race. And poor Calpurnia is put down for taking Scout and Jem Finch to her black church. Racism, a reoccurring theme in To Kill a Mockingbird from the examples of Aunt Alexandrea's manner towards Calpurnia, the Finch children’s treatment for attending Calpurnia’s church and Tom Robinson's prejudice trial.