To Kill a Mockingbird Themes Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird Themes Essay Racial prejudice is a major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. In the beginning the main character, Scout, starts out to be an immature child not knowing of the prejudice around her. As the story goes on she gains knowledge of these prejudices by the kids around her accusing her dad of being a "nigger lover". Her dad was being courageous, defending a black man being falsely accused of raping a white girl. Ones beliefs on racism can affect others, the way someone is raised affects their beliefs on racism, and the greater the amount of racism present, the harder it is for people to stand against it. The way someone is raised affects their beliefs on racism. During an argument with Scout, Francis commented, “If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs…” (94). Francis is raised to believe that blacks don’t really belong. She is criticizing Scout for hanging out with outcasts. Still arguing with Scout, Francis insults Atticus and Scout once again; “but now he’s turned out a nigger lover.” (94). Francis, Scout’s cousin, is telling scout that Atticus has raised her and Jem not to have any racial prejudice. This is a good thing, but the way Francis is raised makes her see this as a negative thing. Francis is raised to be racist and it’s the only thing she knows; however Jem and scout are raised not to think anything wrong about blacks. The greater the amount of racism present, the harder it is for people to stand against it. “Atticus had,” everything in order to, “save Tom,” but with racial prejudice in the hearts of the men in the court, he had absolutely no chance at winning. Even though Atticus had a sound court case, with racial prejudice in the hearts of the men in court he had no chance. Racial prejudice overrides any evidence Atticus has; they would rather believe a white than a black. While in court, Atticus states,"--evil assumption--that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that