Theme Of Prejudice In Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

4/6/2014

A classic novel is one that relates to and questions aspects central to our lives, and can be related to for generations to come. To kill a mockingbird (Harper Lee, 1960) elevates itself to become a timeless classic through its portrayal of profound themes and narrative messages that impact readers across all demographics. It is a compassionate story that not only educates and thrills the reader, but also ultimately inspires them to re-evaluate their presuppositions, and learn to denote an emotional understanding of someone else’s feelings or problems by walking around in their shoes. Themes concerning injustice of racial prejudice and the value of courage and bravery are traversed in great depth through the main characters, Atticus
Black people were extremely subjugated members of society during the Depression era. They were forbidden to commingle with white people in public areas, as epitomised in the courthouse, where the physical separation of races was blatant, as well as in the clearly distinct “black” and “white” areas of town. Interbreeding was heavily frowned upon, as shown by Mr Raymond, a white man who married a black woman and has mixed children, who reveals that he pretends to be an alcoholic by carrying around a paper bag with a bottle of Coca-Cola inside it, in an attempt to let the town condone his choice to marry a black woman. From the very beginning of the story, the racist nature of Maycomb is portrayed through their harsh accusations and emotive language as Atticus defends a black man. “Atticus is a nigger lover”; “Scout Finch’s dad defends niggers”. Lee uses the constant repetition of the disparaging term ‘nigger lover’ as a way of demonstrating the hatred shown towards anyone who supported the African
Bravery takes several forms in “To kill a mockingbird”. The most obvious is Atticus’s defence of Tom Robinson, in the face of relentless criticism and threats of violence. Jem and Scout also exhibit the utmost bravery, as shown in chapter 15, where Atticus makes his way to the prison to protect Tom. When the mob arrives at the jail seeking to harm Tom, the children, who’ve been spectating, come to Atticus’s aid. Scout is the one who initiates the charge, but Jem displays bravery as well, when he refuses to leave. If Jem had left, Scout and Dill would have followed. The presence of the children diffuses the situation and Scout 's words thus cause Mr Cunningham to call off the mob. To Atticus, withholding violence is one of the highest forms of bravery, and so constantly urges Scout to be brave and avert herself from fighting those who denigrate herself or her family. “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists