Saturday, October 26, 2019
Prejudice In To Kill A Mocking :: essays research papers
To Kill A Mockingbird      Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a story of racial injustice, sexism, and many other types of prejudice. Perhaps the most obvious form of prejudice found in the novel is racism.      Tom Robinson was a hardworking, charitable person, who always put the needs of others above his own, but because of his skin colour. He was chosen as a target of racial prejudice, by those too ignorant to recognize his kindness, and care for all those around him. The 35-year-old, husband of three would never hurt a soul.      Tom Robinson was found guilty and convicted by an all white jury for a crime he did not commit, the rape of Mayella Ewell, on the night of November the 21st . The trial, and death of Tom Robinson is just one instance of racial prejudice found in the novel, but maybe one of the strongest issues of racism which exists. Atticus Finch once said, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 90).'; So why did death come to Tom Robinson, such a kind hearted loving person, whose only true sin was pity for a white woman.      There are many other instances in To Kill A Mockingbird where racism is clearly shown. When Aunt Alexandra makes her first appearance in the novel, she says to Calpurnia, “Put my bags in the front bedroom, Calpurnia (Lee 127).'; This shows the lack of respect and feeling of superiority that Aunt Alexandra has for Calpurnia, because of the colour of her skin.           The inhabitants of the small Southern town of Maycomb are so unaware of their words that racism and racial slander has become a ‘normal’ everyday thing, children grow seeing nothing wrong in being racist.      Racial slander is so commonly used that it is clearly seen that even the author of the novel does not realize the wrong in it.      Sexism is also shown throughout the novel. “Atticus,'; he said, “why don’t people like us and Miss Maudie ever sit on juries? You never see anybody from Maycomb on a jury-they all come from out in the woods.'; Atticus leaned back in his rocking chair. For some reason he looked pleased with Jem. “I was wondering when that’d occur to you,'; he said. “There are lots of reasons. For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman.'; “You mean women in Alabama can’t-?'; I was indignant. “I do. I guess it’s to protect our frail ladies from sordid cases like Tom’s.
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