The Theme Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

“Prejudice is a chain, it can hold you. If you” have, “prejudice, you can 't move, you keep prejudice” with you, “for years” (Bob Marley). Similarly, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel about the racism and prejudices in a small southern town. While in To Kill A Mockingbird, a young boy, Jem, and a young girl, Scout, experience the racism and prejudice within their own town. At first the young duo accepts what is happening around them. On the contrary, as the story continues the young children begin to realize what is going on in Maycomb; such as the case of Tom Robinson, building a snowman, and Bob Ewell. But as they encounter many more hardships and questions, they realize that many things within Maycomb may be wrong, but some …show more content…
As the book continues, Tom Robinson is brought to court for his testimony and trial. Since Tom is black, he is almost guaranteed to be proven guilty, regardless of the evidence. Consequently, the townsfolk are unable to look past another ones race. As Harper Lee writes, “The... gentlemen would go along with the... that all negroes lie, that all negroes are basically immoral beings” (Lee 273). Similarly to the rest of the town, the prosecutor sees Tom as no more than liar and not even a moral human being. Consequently, this reinforces the themes of racism and prejudice because all of the townsfolk and the prosecutor only look at people according to their race. Smykowski …show more content…
Gilmer, the prosecutor, adds to this racist symbolism as he cross examines the witness, Tom Robinson. Mr. Gilmer gives Tom Robinson no respect during his cross examination. He continually calls Tom ‘boy,’ which is racist when referring to a black man. He also adds to the non-human, bestial representation of Tom Robinson by referring to him as a ‘big buck’. (Smykowski)
In conclusion, the terms used by Mr. Gilmer And his cross-examination proves the racist natures the town feels towards blacks. On the whole, the use of the snowman as a symbol enhances the theme of racism and prejudice, by showing that the children believe that all men are equal. Similar to the use of the snowman, the case and ruling of Tom Robinson strengthens the theme by showing the townsfolk inability to look past the skin color of a man. Likewise, Bob Ewell exemplifies the theme of racism and prejudice, specifically by the vulgar language he uses. All in all, these symbols and characters enrich the themes of racism and prejudice. As Bob Marley says, “Prejudice is a chain, it can hold you. If you” have, “prejudice, you can 't move, you keep prejudice” with you, “for years. Never get nowhere with that” (Bob