To Kill a Mockingbird

Jessica Yoon
2B English, Mullen
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Alabama was a heavily segregated state during The Great Depression which was a time of struggle for people all over the United States. During times of hardship, separation creates unity between social groups. In To Kill a Mocking Bird, three social groups are segregated; women, blacks, and the poor.
The segregation of women is shown through Scout’s experiences. Being the only girl in the group of kids that play in the neighborhood, she is different than everyone else. Scout is intelligent and kind but she is unusual. Scout grew up as a tomboy in a society where girls wear dresses and know their manners. Playing with Dill and Jem has lead to the realization that women are treated differently. When Scout, Dill and Jem play “Boo Radley”, Atticus finds out and Jem confronted Scout. “Jem told me I was being a girl, that girls always imagined things, that’s why other people hated them so, and if I started behaving like one I could just go off and find some to play with.” (To Kill a Mockingbird, 31). Scout does not understand because of her innocent nature. This did not happen in public but within her family. This shows that discrimination of women has impacted the lives of the Finch family not just Maycomb.
Atticus is a lawyer and is highly respected in the town of Maycomb. He does not follow the town’s life with prejudice and is very wise, smart and cannot hold grudges. Readers can infer that he will be defending a black person and their case. Even though doing such a thing would cause ridicule to Atticus and his family, his sincere and forgiving personality will let him continue to do so and change Maycomb’s vision of prejudice.
Social class has been a big part of society and is demonstrated in the book. One person’s ignorance can lead to discrimination and wrong acts. Miss. Caroline’s actions were not necessary and Scout did not have a pleasant first day of school. A boy in Scout’s class, Walter did not have a lunch to eat and had bugs in his hair. Miss. Caroline offered him a quarter to buy lunch but Walter had to decline. He would never be able to pay her back because he does not have money. Scout realizes what is happening and tries to explain to Miss. Caroline what Walter’s situation was. “He didn’t forget his lunch, he didn’t have any. He had none today nor would he have any tomorrow or the next day.” (To Kill a Mockingbird, 14). Miss. Caroline embarrassed Walter and punished Scout because she was frustrated with her. Being judgmental cannot be tolerated. People need to be grateful for what they have because others have it worse.
The Great Depression left 25 percent of the nation’s workers unemployed and 250,000 young people were homeless in the early years of the depression. Continuing segregation and discrimination does absolutely nothing. To survive hard times like The Great Depression, the whole country has to be united and cooperate into one body. Using others’ talents and keeping an open-mind would greatly help enduring the tough time. Separation creates unity because it helps people realize what they are lacking and use each other to compliment others.