Racism has been a major factor of society in the United States throughout its history. Racial prejudice has even been central to the development of American laws, basically legalizing white dominance over others. Through the book, To kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Scout and her family learns that people are being judged for color. When her father, Atticus Finch, stands up for a black person Scout and her family learns that racism is a prejudice that people were not willing to give up.The theme of the story is racism is the most powerful prejudice. This is proven through symbolism and point of view.
Lee shows this through symbolism of a rabid dog. For example, when Atticus killed the rabid dog, he states, "It is just as dangerous dead as alive"(). The dog resembles racism. This means that racism has deep roots. To stop racism is a very difficult task because if it is already spread it is very dangerous to take out even when the creator is dead. As you can see, the rabid dog shows that racism is contagious making it powerful. In addition to that, the symbolism of the mockingbird helps enhance that racial prejudice is powerful. …show more content…
Atticus says, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”(). The mocking bird resembles Tom Robinson, an innocent man. This shows the power of racism because they are willing to do a sin because of the racial prejudice strength. It is so strong that Bob Ewell, a man who lives near their homes, is fine with killing a man even when it was his own daughter that caused the crime. As you can see, people were willing to commit a sin in the name of racism. Along with that, point of view helps prove racial prejudice is the most powerful
Lee shows this through symbolism of a rabid dog. For example, when Atticus killed the rabid dog, he states, "It is just as dangerous dead as alive"(). The dog resembles racism. This means that racism has deep roots. To stop racism is a very difficult task because if it is already spread it is very dangerous to take out even when the creator is dead. As you can see, the rabid dog shows that racism is contagious making it powerful. In addition to that, the symbolism of the mockingbird helps enhance that racial prejudice is powerful. …show more content…
Atticus says, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”(). The mocking bird resembles Tom Robinson, an innocent man. This shows the power of racism because they are willing to do a sin because of the racial prejudice strength. It is so strong that Bob Ewell, a man who lives near their homes, is fine with killing a man even when it was his own daughter that caused the crime. As you can see, people were willing to commit a sin in the name of racism. Along with that, point of view helps prove racial prejudice is the most powerful