To kill a Mockingbird; The various shapes and forms of prejudice
In her book "To kill a Mockingbird" Harper Lee looks at the implications of prejudice in society. This theme shines through the story in several ways, the most obvious form is the towns blatant and inherent racism; However, there are numerous other types of prejudice, for example, the prejudice the main character Scout faces for being a tomboy, or the prejudice Atticus Finch consequently faces for defending a black man. In this analysis, I will take a deeper look into the prejudice exhibited in the novel.
The novel tells the story of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, and her brother Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch, and their upbringing in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930's. The children, …show more content…
As the most important events that occur in the book all portray prejudice in some form or another. Right from the first part of the story about Boo Radley, a man discriminated against by the entirety of the town. They spread rumours and fake news about him. An example of this is chapter 1, page 11, when Jem says Miss Crawford, the town gossip, had told him she woke up in the middle of the night and found Boo staring at her through the window. The town portrays Boo as the bogeyman, a malevolent figure responsible for all evildoing in the town, despite the fact that Boo has done nothing but stay in his house, bothering no one, for years on end. Nevertheless, an example of this is when Jem describes Boo, he says he thinks Boo is six-and-a-half feet tall, dines on raw animals and has a long scar across his face (pg 13). A creation representing Maycomb's views on …show more content…
Atticus is a rich character with many levels to his personality, although he is a static character who doesn't change throughout the story. He represents the best of humanity. Atticus is subject to prejudice from the Maycomb community for defending a black man. Him accepting to defend the case of Tom Robinson, and his openness and unwavering personality, makes the town folk angry at him, as he does not share their core beliefs. Resulting in him being badmouthed across the city.
Jem, Scouts older brother, starts the story as a young, courageous boy dragging his little sister with him on all his pranks and games, but ends the story as a mature teenager who primarily wants to protect his sister and teach her that her actions have consequences. He looks up to his father and has the same values as Atticus, values he also helps Scout understand and appreciate. Jem is youthfully naïve at the beginning, believing that people are always honourable and humane, that the truth will always win. Beliefs that, as a result of the prejudice displayed in the Tom Robinson case, he learns are
In her book "To kill a Mockingbird" Harper Lee looks at the implications of prejudice in society. This theme shines through the story in several ways, the most obvious form is the towns blatant and inherent racism; However, there are numerous other types of prejudice, for example, the prejudice the main character Scout faces for being a tomboy, or the prejudice Atticus Finch consequently faces for defending a black man. In this analysis, I will take a deeper look into the prejudice exhibited in the novel.
The novel tells the story of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, and her brother Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch, and their upbringing in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930's. The children, …show more content…
As the most important events that occur in the book all portray prejudice in some form or another. Right from the first part of the story about Boo Radley, a man discriminated against by the entirety of the town. They spread rumours and fake news about him. An example of this is chapter 1, page 11, when Jem says Miss Crawford, the town gossip, had told him she woke up in the middle of the night and found Boo staring at her through the window. The town portrays Boo as the bogeyman, a malevolent figure responsible for all evildoing in the town, despite the fact that Boo has done nothing but stay in his house, bothering no one, for years on end. Nevertheless, an example of this is when Jem describes Boo, he says he thinks Boo is six-and-a-half feet tall, dines on raw animals and has a long scar across his face (pg 13). A creation representing Maycomb's views on …show more content…
Atticus is a rich character with many levels to his personality, although he is a static character who doesn't change throughout the story. He represents the best of humanity. Atticus is subject to prejudice from the Maycomb community for defending a black man. Him accepting to defend the case of Tom Robinson, and his openness and unwavering personality, makes the town folk angry at him, as he does not share their core beliefs. Resulting in him being badmouthed across the city.
Jem, Scouts older brother, starts the story as a young, courageous boy dragging his little sister with him on all his pranks and games, but ends the story as a mature teenager who primarily wants to protect his sister and teach her that her actions have consequences. He looks up to his father and has the same values as Atticus, values he also helps Scout understand and appreciate. Jem is youthfully naïve at the beginning, believing that people are always honourable and humane, that the truth will always win. Beliefs that, as a result of the prejudice displayed in the Tom Robinson case, he learns are