To Kill A Mockingbird Equality

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” – A quote stated inthe declaration of independence. This famous statement correctly identifies of how all men were created equal no matter of what race, gender, or color they are. In this book To Kill a Mockingbird, equality is not present .Tom Robinson, a black person was accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Tom accusation immediately created tension between the White and black community. In To Kill a Mockingbird justice and equality can defeat prejudice; this occurs when Atticus defends Tom Robinson in the court of
Harper Lee tackles an extremely sensitive issue in this book, which is Racism. She conveys an impending statement about how prejudice can really extract a person’s self-integrity and respect from society, but if equality and justice was to exist, prejudice is just a mere imagination in a bad dream. “Lemme tell you somethin now, Billy,” a third said, “you know the court appointed him to defend this Negro” and Jem says “Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it (pg 157).””. Harper lee was very clever to include Atticus’s personality during this conversation. Lee conveys subtly to the reader about how prejudice is that Tom Robinson was immorally declared of raping Mayella, and equality and justice is that Atticus takes up the case of defending Tom voluntarily. “Atticus sighed. “I’m simply defending a Negro - his name’s Tom Robinson.” (P81). Lee tries to convey that, Atticus identifies Tom by name to emphasize his humanity instead of his race/ skin-color. She explains that no matter what race or skin color everyone should be treated equal. Lee developed this idea to make us realize that your race and skin color doesn’t matter, if you are really innocent then nothing is to be feared