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To Kill A Mockingbird The American Dream Analysis

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The American Dream is a concept that has been instilled in the minds of citizens for much of America’s history. The Dream is the idea that everyone is equal and that anyone can start with nothing and become successful through hard work and perseverance. Unfortunately, due to prejudices and discrimination, the American Dream has not been attainable for all races and ethnicities that have immigrated to this country in search of a better life. Instead, it has been quite the opposite: no matter how much hard work and perseverance one puts forth, he/she is always beaten down by those in a higher social class. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird explores the concept of the failing American Dream by examining discrimination, prejudice, and social hierarchy in 1930’s Maycomb, Alabama. The American Dream is tarnished by discrimination for many characters inTo Kill a Mockingbird. To begin, Tom Robinson faces injustices simply because he is an African American. For example, though Atticus clearly proves Tom’s innocence during the trial, Tom is still found ‘guilty’ by the jury. This ruling only occurred because of Maycomb’s unwillingness to accept equality for all. What’s more, this case reveals the failure of the American Dream for Tom and his wife, Helen. As illustrated in the text, though Tom willingly aided Mayella Ewell because of her inadequate living situation …show more content…

Harper Lee highlighted America’s discrimination, prejudices, and social hierarchal issues and created To Kill a Mockingbird, a semi-biographical novel. Even though the novel is set in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama, it addresses some very real issues that are, unfortunately, still present in modern society. America has made many positive strides since 1930 to ensure equality and freedom for all, making the Dream more attainable for citizens, but we still have more improvements to make before the Dream is available to

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