In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of a trial of a black man named Tom Robinson in the Alabama town of Maycomb during the Great Depression. Tom Robinson, despite being innocent of the crime of which he is accused, is convicted. Lee uses this event as well as others to discuss the nature of prejudice and racism. Other forms of discrimination discussed in the novel are sexism and classism. Scout, the daughter of Tom Robinson’s lawyer, Atticus, is ridiculed for her choosing not to fit the ideal for a southern white woman. Scout is also discouraged from being friends with the Cunninghams because of their socioeconomic status. By portraying Tom Robinson’s trial, the ostracization of the Cunninghams, and the disapproval
…show more content…
The case of Tom Robinson is the initial event that might open one’s eyes to this idea, with the events surround the Cunninghams, Scout, and Boo Radley compounding this message. Lee expresses that all types of discrimination come from a deep-rooted hatred for people perceived as incongruous and/or incompatible with their society, and that because of this, lessons learned about one kind of discrimination can be applied to others. The main lesson outside of the basic message of the book is that the way to combat prejudice and discrimination is through teaching children that prejudice is wrong, that they shouldn’t listen to common viewpoints, and making “baby steps” with the common population. Atticus makes these “baby steps” in the trial of Tom Robinson, changing the view of one or two jurors, evidenced by the extreme amount of time the jury takes to deliberate for the trial of an African-American. Educating children properly, however, is the main solution Lee suggests. Atticus teaches his children that one shouldn’t discriminate against people for their race or other socio economic sensibilities, and that they should try to “walk around in another person’s shoes” before making a decision about them. Overall, the main idea this novel conveys is that discrimination is evil and we should do all we can to stop it. “You can shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a
The case of Tom Robinson is the initial event that might open one’s eyes to this idea, with the events surround the Cunninghams, Scout, and Boo Radley compounding this message. Lee expresses that all types of discrimination come from a deep-rooted hatred for people perceived as incongruous and/or incompatible with their society, and that because of this, lessons learned about one kind of discrimination can be applied to others. The main lesson outside of the basic message of the book is that the way to combat prejudice and discrimination is through teaching children that prejudice is wrong, that they shouldn’t listen to common viewpoints, and making “baby steps” with the common population. Atticus makes these “baby steps” in the trial of Tom Robinson, changing the view of one or two jurors, evidenced by the extreme amount of time the jury takes to deliberate for the trial of an African-American. Educating children properly, however, is the main solution Lee suggests. Atticus teaches his children that one shouldn’t discriminate against people for their race or other socio economic sensibilities, and that they should try to “walk around in another person’s shoes” before making a decision about them. Overall, the main idea this novel conveys is that discrimination is evil and we should do all we can to stop it. “You can shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a