The early to mid 1900’s was a time period marked by its prejudice, extreme racism and injustice towards the african american people. Harper Lee was born in 1928, during the time period of racism, and witnessed many events that shaped her views and writing style. To Kill A Mockingbird, an example of the time period, is her most famous piece. The story is set in the 1930’s, and involves a trial of a black man, Tom Robinson. Throughout the story, people constantly refer to Tom and Atticus, his caucasian lawyer, with negative terms. This is expected for the 1930’s as anyone who is willing to help an african american was looked down upon. To Kill A Mockingbird has many parallels to real world whether racially, through injustice and through the real
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Numerous time over, a basic civil rights dispute that would’ve quickly been resolved for a caucasian man was rejected simply because the defendant was african american. An example is in the 1896, Plessy vs. Ferguson case. In this case, the court upheld Louisiana law requiring public places to serve African Americans in separate but equal accommodations. “Separate but equal” was an infamous ruling that the supreme court used to uphold extremely discriminatory laws, also known as “Jim Crow Laws”. Injustice in To Kill A Mockingbird is visible through the trial of Tom Robinson. Although Atticus presents solid evidence for Tom not being the culprit, the jury still rules him guilty. The jury ruled hesitantly however, most likely due to them knowing Atticus and having respect for him and his defense. Ultimately, their prejudice overruled logic and reason and Tom was sentenced guilt. Injustice can be seen when Scout said “I am not [going to the trial]. ‘t’s morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life. Look at all those folks, it’s like a Roman carnival”(Lee, 182). Scout knows the verdict is most likely going to be guilty as she knew from experience how african american’s are viewed. She feels sympathy for Tom because even with her father’s help, Tom is going to die for a crime he didn’t commit. Injustice is seen throughout american history, especially during the civil rights era and Harper Lee illustrates it through the trial of Tom
Numerous time over, a basic civil rights dispute that would’ve quickly been resolved for a caucasian man was rejected simply because the defendant was african american. An example is in the 1896, Plessy vs. Ferguson case. In this case, the court upheld Louisiana law requiring public places to serve African Americans in separate but equal accommodations. “Separate but equal” was an infamous ruling that the supreme court used to uphold extremely discriminatory laws, also known as “Jim Crow Laws”. Injustice in To Kill A Mockingbird is visible through the trial of Tom Robinson. Although Atticus presents solid evidence for Tom not being the culprit, the jury still rules him guilty. The jury ruled hesitantly however, most likely due to them knowing Atticus and having respect for him and his defense. Ultimately, their prejudice overruled logic and reason and Tom was sentenced guilt. Injustice can be seen when Scout said “I am not [going to the trial]. ‘t’s morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life. Look at all those folks, it’s like a Roman carnival”(Lee, 182). Scout knows the verdict is most likely going to be guilty as she knew from experience how african american’s are viewed. She feels sympathy for Tom because even with her father’s help, Tom is going to die for a crime he didn’t commit. Injustice is seen throughout american history, especially during the civil rights era and Harper Lee illustrates it through the trial of Tom