Best-selling novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) has a deep focus on prejudice in southern America during the 1930 's. Author Harper Lee uses a wide range of characters and experiences through the eyes of young Jean Louise Finch to communicate issues present with prejudice and their long term effects throughout the story. Known as an unfair judgement or action towards someone without solid evidence, the topic of prejudice is supported by Atticus 's famous quote within the novel "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view" Through careful examination of the story and various encounters the children had with prejudice, it is clearly evident that males are the main victims of prejudice throughout the
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Known as the children 's main encounter with prejudice, and the cause of Jem 's extreme emotional conflict during puberty, Tom Robinson 's case symbolised the racial prejudice during the time era in Southern America. Tom Robinson, a black man, was accused of raping a white girl known as Mayella Ewell. Although innocent, Tom Robinson was found guilty in court, despite Atticus ' desperate attempt to save him from the unfair judgement. Throughout the court case, it becomes progressively clear that Tom Robinson was not guilty, but rather, Bob Ewell physically and sexually abused his daughter, and Mayella, emotionally scarred and lonely, decided to break unspoken social laws by kissing Tom Robinson. In an attempt to cover up such a mistake, Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella. The court case seemed to be going extremely well, with Tom Robinson about to win. However, as Reverend Sykes said he hasn 't "ever seen any jury decide in favour of a coloured man over a white man"(p230), Tom Robinson lost the case, and died while attempting escape. Everyone in Maycomb county, due to the racial discrimination, didn 't take Tom 's death seriously. "To Maycomb, Tom 's death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger 's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw." …show more content…
Atticus, known as Maybcomb County 's moral backbone and the main opposer of prejudice, was a victim of prejudice himself. This perhaps explains the reason he was so insistent on teaching his kids not to be prejudiced towards others. An early example of this is when Atticus was considered old and feeble by his children. Both Scout, and even Jem, who was old enough to understand there can be more to someone than one thinks, thought, and said "Atticus can 't do anything."(p100). Miss Maudie, however revealed that Atticus was "the best checker-player in this town"(p100). A little while later, after the mad dog incident, Miss Maudie also told the kids how Atticus was the "deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time." Atticus was also judged heavily by the town for his decision to defend Tom Robinson in court. Evidence of this is when Scout had a conflict with Cecil Jacobs, who yelled "My folks said your daddy was a disgrace"(p85) and when she overheard someone say "Atticus aims to defend him. That 's what I don 't like about it." (p180). He was also judged by Mrs Dubose, when she told the kids that their father was "no better than the niggers and trash he works for!".However, it became evident that Atticus 's choice to defend Tom Robinson was a true act of courage, as supported by Atticus 's quote "(courage is)
Known as the children 's main encounter with prejudice, and the cause of Jem 's extreme emotional conflict during puberty, Tom Robinson 's case symbolised the racial prejudice during the time era in Southern America. Tom Robinson, a black man, was accused of raping a white girl known as Mayella Ewell. Although innocent, Tom Robinson was found guilty in court, despite Atticus ' desperate attempt to save him from the unfair judgement. Throughout the court case, it becomes progressively clear that Tom Robinson was not guilty, but rather, Bob Ewell physically and sexually abused his daughter, and Mayella, emotionally scarred and lonely, decided to break unspoken social laws by kissing Tom Robinson. In an attempt to cover up such a mistake, Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella. The court case seemed to be going extremely well, with Tom Robinson about to win. However, as Reverend Sykes said he hasn 't "ever seen any jury decide in favour of a coloured man over a white man"(p230), Tom Robinson lost the case, and died while attempting escape. Everyone in Maycomb county, due to the racial discrimination, didn 't take Tom 's death seriously. "To Maycomb, Tom 's death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger 's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw." …show more content…
Atticus, known as Maybcomb County 's moral backbone and the main opposer of prejudice, was a victim of prejudice himself. This perhaps explains the reason he was so insistent on teaching his kids not to be prejudiced towards others. An early example of this is when Atticus was considered old and feeble by his children. Both Scout, and even Jem, who was old enough to understand there can be more to someone than one thinks, thought, and said "Atticus can 't do anything."(p100). Miss Maudie, however revealed that Atticus was "the best checker-player in this town"(p100). A little while later, after the mad dog incident, Miss Maudie also told the kids how Atticus was the "deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time." Atticus was also judged heavily by the town for his decision to defend Tom Robinson in court. Evidence of this is when Scout had a conflict with Cecil Jacobs, who yelled "My folks said your daddy was a disgrace"(p85) and when she overheard someone say "Atticus aims to defend him. That 's what I don 't like about it." (p180). He was also judged by Mrs Dubose, when she told the kids that their father was "no better than the niggers and trash he works for!".However, it became evident that Atticus 's choice to defend Tom Robinson was a true act of courage, as supported by Atticus 's quote "(courage is)