TKAM Maycomb S Prejudice

Maycomb’s Prejudice
Jenny Xu
Period. 9
09 English Accelerated
[1] Prejudice is an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. (Dictionary) [2] In the novel
To Kill A Mockingbird
, the author progressively reveals the racism and prejudice of the town of Maycomb. [3] Obviously, Tom
Robinson was innocent, but was condemned because of the prejudice of Maycomb. [6] Arthur
“Boo” Radley was a victim. [4] Defending Tom Robinson, Atticus was mocked by the townspeople. [1] While the racism and prejudice of the town was revealed through the Tom
Robinson trial, it was also revealed through the characters Boo Radley and Atticus Finch.
[5] Although Tom Robinson did not commit the crime he was accused of, he was condemned because of the prejudice of the townspeople. [6] Tom Robinson was innocent. [3]
Tragically, because of the prejudice of the townspeople towards black men, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” (241) [2] During the cross­examination at the trial, Tom Robinson said that he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell, and
“nobody liked Tom Robinson’s answer.” (197) [4] Mocking Tom Robinson, Mr. Gilmer emphasized on the word “sorry”, because it seemed like Tom felt better than Mayella, and it intrigued the townspeople’s racism and hatred towards black men. [1] Tom Robinson was a victim of the town’s prejudice and racism towards black man.
[1] Arthur “Boo” Radley is the town’s target of rumours and prejudice, because his abnormal action of staying inside the house all the time. [2] From the rumours that people said

about Arthur Radley, the children believed that Arthur Radley is a monster and “any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his works.” (9) [4] Dehumanizing Arthur Radley, he did not even go by his real name, the children simply calls him “Boo”. [6] Arthur Radley was not a criminal. [2] After the Tom Robinson trial, Jem realized the townspeople’s prejudice and came to an understanding that Arthur Radley did not come out of his house because he did not want to come out. [5] When Scout officially meets Arthur Radley, she sees him for who he really is, and later tells Atticus that “he was really nice,” (281) [3] Evidently, Arthur Radley might have been a troubled young man, but he was never the monster the townspeople see him as.
[5] Because Atticus defended Tom Robinson to the best of his abilities, he was insulted by the townspeople. [4] Criticizing Atticus for defending Tom Robinson, Aunt Alexandra said
Atticus was ruining the family and told Francis that because Atticus “turned out a n*****­lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin.” (83) [1] Atticus’s neighbor Mrs.
Dubose even told Atticus’s children that “Your father’s no better than the n****** and trash he works for!” (102) [2] After the Tom Robinson trial, Bob Ewell said horrible things to Atticus, spat at him in the face, and even threatened to kill him, because Atticus fought for Tom
Robinson. [6] Atticus was not ashamed. [3] Consequently, Atticus became another target of the townspeople’s prejudice and discrimination.
[1] The racism and prejudice of Maycomb is revealed through the Tom Robinson trial, and the characters Boo Radley and Atticus Finch. [5] Although Tom Robinson was clearly innocent, he was still condemned because of the prejudice and racism of Maycomb. [3]
Contradictorily, Arthur Radley was not a scary monster, but was a kind neighbor who was always watching over the children. [4] Defending Tom Robinson to the best of his abilities,

Atticus was taunted by the townspeople. [6] Prejudice is unethical. [2] Throughout the novel
To
Kill A Mockingbird
, the author attentively uncovers the truth behind each character, and reveals to the readers how immoral prejudice and racism are.