Prejudice And Discrimination

In today’s society many men, women and children have been a victim or guilty of being prejudice towards others because of their differences. Prejudice is a preconceived opinion; that is not based on reason or actual experience. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, prejudice is one of the main themes. Lee addresses the topic through the characters of the story and delivers a message to the readers and suggests prejudice is present in the world. Therefore, people must take action to resolve this issue due to the multiple ways it can affect an individual. Lee depicts the theme of prejudice trough the characters of Atticus, Scout, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, and Mrs.Dubose. Each character gives a unique insight towards the
Life as a female in the early twentieth century is difficult they are certain expectations a female has to live up to, such as wearing elegant clothes and staying in the home to do chores. Lee demonstrates how girls are opposed to difficult challenges through Scout’s character. At a young age, Scout battles sexism, “I was not so sure but Jem told me I was being a girl, that girls always imagined things that’s why other people hated them so” (119). Being expose to this mentality can have a significant impact to a female growing up. Hence, she would behave like a man since she is being neglected and told women are “evil”. On the other hand, Mrs Dubose tells Scout she is not allowed to wear overalls because it considered to be masculine and should wear feminine clothes instead, “ What are you doing on those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole young lady!” (101). Lee is addressing to the readers in the 1900s there is an apparent disparity between gender roles and stereotypes female were to stay at home while men work. This also creates a feeling of isolation and confusion for Scout since she is told girls are evil and now Mrs Dubose is telling her to act feminine which leads to isolation. To illustrate that, Jem and Dill exclude Scout when they play. Scout reveals her thoughts and expresses that she is unwanted, “ but I kept
In the novel, Tom Robinson is wrongly accused of raping a girl named Mayella Ewell. Atticus who defends Tom is given a daunting task for the reason that he knows the people of Maycomb County would not believe in Tom’s testimony it shows how all black men are viewed as liars and criminals, “ The only thing we’ve got is a black man's word against the Ewell. The evidence boils down to you did- I didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewell.”(91) In addition to having already, a significant disadvantage a mob tries to kill Tom Robinson before he can come to trial this shows how the lack of maturity and prejudice is present in Maycomb trough this action Lee illustrates how segregation among races is present and how white people think they are superior. Furthermore, Tom suffers from verbal harassment. Derogatory terms used to address Tom, “I know who was, all right, lived down yonder in that nigger nest”(177). During the trial when Tom Robinson was call upon to as a witness Mr.Ewell’s lawyer asked him questions that seem to suggest blacks are inhumane and do not feel any sympathy for other individuals unless it is going to benefit them, “You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her”(201). At the deciding moments of Tom’s trial Atticus reminds the citizen not to judge Tom Robinson by his race but what the truth speaks, “You know the truth,