Mockingbird Themes

The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” was published in 1960 during the lengthy era of the American Civil Rights Movement. Set in the 1930s, it is a powerful text that has been expertly crafted by Harper Lee to explore a number of topical themes, including the themes of discrimination and prejudice. Throughout the course of the novel, the reader experiences discrimination and prejudice in a number of ways. These include the injustice of the court case against Tom Robinson, the treatment of Atticus and his family by the townspeople for defending a black man, and the shunning of Boo Radley because he is seen as different. Harper Lee has effectively positioned the reader to view discrimination and prejudice as the true evil in society.
The best indicator of Lee’s positioning of the audience in relation to the themes of discrimination and prejudice is the case of Tom Robinson. A quote from Atticus that represents Lee’s positioning of her audience is when Atticus states in his closing statement: “ You know the truth and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women – black and white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no particular race of men. There is not a person in this court room who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing … ( p. 226)”. Here Lee is identifying
It has effectively positioned the reader to view both these themes as evil forces in society that need to be fought against. By incorporating Tom Robinson’s court case, the poor treatment experienced by Atticus and his family and by highlighting Boo Radley’s differences, Harper Lee is making the reader aware that prejudice should not impact on justice and that everyone is equal. ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is an amazing novel that leaves a lasting impression on the