Essay On The Effects Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird: The Effects of Racism
In the compelling story of To Kill a Mockingbird, a black man named Tom Robinson is convicted of raping a white woman. Although seemingly cliche for this time period, it is this idea alone that drives the racist foundation of this novel. Every character is impacted and driven by the racism and prejudice that fogs the small country town of Maycomb. Scout and Jem, the young sister and brother of the novel, gradually learn the clouded ways of the Maycomb citizens as they grow up. People like Calpurnia, Tom Robinson, and Helen Robinson not only learn these ways but are pierced viciously by them on a daily basis. Scout and Jem are introduced to prejudice from the beginning of their childhood, considering their maid, Calpurnia, is a black woman that is expected to cook, clean, and care for the household. They discover that Calpurnia goes to a church only for black people and has only black friends. They also see black to white resentment first hand when some of the black people in Calpurnia’s church react negatively to white people being seen in their “territory.” Jem, being the confident young boy he is, seems to have certainty that this is the way it should be. He tells Scout people have always been separated based on what they are like, and that’s …show more content…
Every character was impacted by racism in the novel in different ways, and every person was somehow driven by it. In my opinion, Atticus, Scout, Jem, Calpurnia and Mayella were the most influenced or driven by racism, but they only represented the views and ideals of countless others in the town of Maycomb. The people of Maycomb taught me that discrimination is always relevant, even when you think it is not. They also taught me that sometimes, to learn from your mistakes, all you have to do is look beyond your typical
In the compelling story of To Kill a Mockingbird, a black man named Tom Robinson is convicted of raping a white woman. Although seemingly cliche for this time period, it is this idea alone that drives the racist foundation of this novel. Every character is impacted and driven by the racism and prejudice that fogs the small country town of Maycomb. Scout and Jem, the young sister and brother of the novel, gradually learn the clouded ways of the Maycomb citizens as they grow up. People like Calpurnia, Tom Robinson, and Helen Robinson not only learn these ways but are pierced viciously by them on a daily basis. Scout and Jem are introduced to prejudice from the beginning of their childhood, considering their maid, Calpurnia, is a black woman that is expected to cook, clean, and care for the household. They discover that Calpurnia goes to a church only for black people and has only black friends. They also see black to white resentment first hand when some of the black people in Calpurnia’s church react negatively to white people being seen in their “territory.” Jem, being the confident young boy he is, seems to have certainty that this is the way it should be. He tells Scout people have always been separated based on what they are like, and that’s …show more content…
Every character was impacted by racism in the novel in different ways, and every person was somehow driven by it. In my opinion, Atticus, Scout, Jem, Calpurnia and Mayella were the most influenced or driven by racism, but they only represented the views and ideals of countless others in the town of Maycomb. The people of Maycomb taught me that discrimination is always relevant, even when you think it is not. They also taught me that sometimes, to learn from your mistakes, all you have to do is look beyond your typical