To Kill a Mockingbird

Tuti Ostari

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Prejudice is a real life problem in the world, and in To Kill Mockingbird’s novel this problem is evident in May comb. Boo Radley, Atticus finch and Tom Robinson are all victims of prejudice.

Boo Radley is not accepted nor does he fit into Maycomb society because he is different from others. Moreover, Boo does not act like a normal person. In society, his actions are mysterious and abnormal. After some trouble with the law “ Mr. Radley’s boy was not seen again for fifteen years “(TKM p 10). And after being isolated for so many years, he became the object of rumors and is viewed as the town’s erratic figure. People believe that Boo is a monster when Dill said, “ he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows (tkm 9). This is an example of prejudice on Boo Radley , where everybody speculates and fabricates ideas of what this human does. They portray him as a monstrosity in their society when he is just an individual who made a mistake and is a little bit disheveled.

Another victim of prejudice is Atticus Finch. After the appointment to defend Tom Robinson, a black person, the town exhibits prejudice towards him. The towns people believe that Atticus should not present a proper defense for black person, They call him “ Niger Lover” for example after the trial brought Mr. Bob Ewel confronts Atticus, spits in face and says “ Too proud to fight you nigger-loving bastard?” (217). Mrs. Dubose told Jem “ your father is no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (102); this word made Jem very mad and destroying her flowers caused him trouble. Although these comments are hard for the children and Atticus it does not bother Atticus because he knows that he is doing the right thing-defending Tom properly.

Moreover, Tom Robinson is a victim of prejudice in Maycomb because of his race. Tom is black and accused of raping a white woman. Being a Negro in Maycomb during the nineteen thirties is difficult. For example; during the trial Mr. Gilmer insinuates that Tom guilty of raping Mayella Ewel because he has a previous conviction “ what did the nigger look like when you got through him?” (196). By reason of Tom’s inferior skin color he is judged to be a hurtful person in society.
Although, Tom Robinson telling the truth about the situation, the white society still does not believe him, but they believe Mayela (a white girl) who lies and is dishonest.

The town of Maycomb displays prejudice against Boo Radley , Atticus Finch and tom Robinson in different ways. They are all indefensible in society and there is nothing they can say or do to prevent discrimination against themselves. However, society is now beginning to understand that Boo, Atticus and Toms differences are what give them character and without their differences, life in Maycomb would be monotonous. The book gave me some insight into a different culture and their beliefs.