Theme Of Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee (1960) is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel that offers a view of southern life in the 1930s through the eyes of a young girl named Scout, whose view of the adult world evolves as her family is exposed to its evils and injustices, changing from that of an innocent child to that of a near-grown up. Discrimination and prejudice are integral parts of the novel’s themes, and plays an important role in Scout’s development of a sympathetic, mature perspective. This essay will explore and analyze the various forms discrimination takes throughout the novel. Classism is a prevalent form of discrimination that stands out from the pages of the novel. Classism is discrimination based on social standing. Boo Radley is a perfect example of a victim of social classism. The tale of Boo Radley depicts a child apparently driven mad and forced into isolation by his repressive religious family. He eventually becomes an epitome of the loss of innocence. Despite the fact that hardly anyone knows him, Boo Radley is ostracized, to the point where he becomes a phantom, never seen, and never heard, because he is
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is victimized by sexism. Aunt Alexandria, a model of the traditional southern lady, believes in dressing well, using manners and being social are necessary to be a proper lady. She argues that Scout should “wear dresses, attend tea parties, and speak only when spoken to,” (Lee 108). Even Atticus- a man who stands for equality- says men should “protect our frail women” (Lee 221). Alexandria shows discrimination though her attempts to “womanize” Scout and in the way she doesn’t accept her for the way she is instead of imposing her feminist ideas on Scout. Jem and scout are exposed to the sexist ideas about women, and even though Jem doesn’t see Scout as weak because she is a girl, they look at women with the same prejudice and