What Is Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird
Discrimination is a prominent subject throughout the story as well as in today's world. Sadly, racism and stereotypes are still ongoing events, but in a different genre. A good example is the African American community. In the 1900’s it was more about rules discriminating against African Americans. In today's world, everything is about how aggressive or suspicious that young, black adult looks. Each category of racism lacks the respect and justice they deserve. Just like the modern day, Maycomb needs to find the dignity to respect others. The dysfunctional town goes through many instances ranging from trust and courage to standing up for what is right. Through Scout, the reader witnesses discrimination against gender, class, and race.
In To …show more content…
Kill a Mockingbird, the town of Maycomb experiences many prejudices against gender. Jem’s discrimination against Scout is obvious throughout the novel. Jem often degrades Scout by calling her a girl. The sequence of events starts with Jem, Scout, and Dill recklessly getting rolled in a tire, somewhat of a game. After Jem pushes Scout, the tire evidently rolls into the Radley’s yard. While Scout was being naive, Jem was in a state of anxiety. He was trying to escape. When the children finally left, Jem directs a suggestive quote to Scout: “I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’” (Lee 50). Because of Jem, Scout is under the impression that being a woman is not good enough or frail. Jem’s lack of experience shows this statement does not reflect his actual feelings and should not be taken literally. He is endorsing what he hears within his surrounding environment. As he matures, he starts understanding adult situations. Jem’s growth throughout the novel is significant because of these early derogatory statements. “In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem has significantly grown from a childish, playful boy, to being a more calm, composed and mature resemblance to his father. Harper Lee has incorporated the theme of maturity in the novel through the development of Jem” (Essayforum). Jem has misinterpreted that being called a girl was something lesser than a man and something to frown upon, while being gentlemen is something to be proud of and considered an honor. As Jem matures, both he and Scout later learn that not everything you hear is true.
The story also shows us how discrimination against social class is at times a bit pronounced. Harper Lee describes the Cunningham family in a lower socio-economic community, and Walter “a poor but proud classmate of Scout’s” (Felty 289). The novel depicts how newcomers to the social norms in Maycomb can be distressed. Miss Caroline is the perfect example. Walter is in an impoverished situation and she feels the need to loan him money. After Scout tries to explain to her Walter's situation, Miss Caroline still believes her to be irrational. As the day was vanishing, Walter and Scout get in a fight. Expressing his knowledge more than Scout, Jem invites Walter for dinner after school. When food was served, Walter expresses his excitement for food. To refer back to the text, it states, “Walter pours molasses on his vegetables with a generous hand” (Lee, 32). Scout makes it clear that they are from different social classes by provoking him. Calpurnia has a good understanding of discrimination in her background so she is alarmed by Scouts actions. Calpurnia immediately imposes that just because Walter is distinct from them, doesn't mean Scout gets to judge him. Scout is most likely acting like this because of the example Miss Caroline was setting. “Scout tries to explain Walter’s lack of a lunch and refusal to a loan to the teacher since Walter himself can't or won't, but Walter’s situation- too poor to pay back a quarter- is just incomprehensible to Miss Caroline” (Shmoop). Gender is yet another prejudice that the town of Maycomb has to come to an understanding with.
Racism is the most defined case in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Maycomb’s shining point in Harper Lee's plot is the Tom Robinson case. While Harper Lee quickly forces us to root for Atticus and Tom, we learn that Tom Robinson has already lost the case purely because of his skin color. Tom Robinson is an African-American. Maycomb recognizes that Atticus is unique and assigns him to take on this case because he is the only citizen in Maycomb that would support Tom fairley. Since their father is involved, Jem and Scout instantly begin to be curious. They wonder why Atticus would agree to such an event. The children later understand that Atticus is doing the right thing and must stand up for what is right. Atticus tells the children, “In our courts when it's a white man's world against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Lee, 250). Furthermore, Atticus exclaims to the children that racism prevails within their county. “ We can conclude that Atticus shows disgust with white people taking advantage of black people's ignorance” (Felty, 300). The aged book lets us know that Maycomb's citizens do not feel good about responding to other people's differences. As we do today, Maycomb does not take action in up and coming problems such a
racism.
To Kill a Mockingbird lets readers experience dialogue and discrimination in an older fashion and from a different point of view. Harper Lee puzzles together prejudices against gender, class, and race. The novel is also rich in different possible themes. Harper Lee was trying to symbolize something in this novel. “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” (Lee 224). Sound familiar? Atticus Finch is the only being in Maycomb that would ever say those lines. Atticus Finch is the one who stood up for Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch proves Bob Ewell is a disgrace. A wise man once proclaimed, “Stand up for what is right, even if your standing alone.” Atticus Finch is Maycomb’s mockingbird.
In To …show more content…
Kill a Mockingbird, the town of Maycomb experiences many prejudices against gender. Jem’s discrimination against Scout is obvious throughout the novel. Jem often degrades Scout by calling her a girl. The sequence of events starts with Jem, Scout, and Dill recklessly getting rolled in a tire, somewhat of a game. After Jem pushes Scout, the tire evidently rolls into the Radley’s yard. While Scout was being naive, Jem was in a state of anxiety. He was trying to escape. When the children finally left, Jem directs a suggestive quote to Scout: “I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’” (Lee 50). Because of Jem, Scout is under the impression that being a woman is not good enough or frail. Jem’s lack of experience shows this statement does not reflect his actual feelings and should not be taken literally. He is endorsing what he hears within his surrounding environment. As he matures, he starts understanding adult situations. Jem’s growth throughout the novel is significant because of these early derogatory statements. “In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem has significantly grown from a childish, playful boy, to being a more calm, composed and mature resemblance to his father. Harper Lee has incorporated the theme of maturity in the novel through the development of Jem” (Essayforum). Jem has misinterpreted that being called a girl was something lesser than a man and something to frown upon, while being gentlemen is something to be proud of and considered an honor. As Jem matures, both he and Scout later learn that not everything you hear is true.
The story also shows us how discrimination against social class is at times a bit pronounced. Harper Lee describes the Cunningham family in a lower socio-economic community, and Walter “a poor but proud classmate of Scout’s” (Felty 289). The novel depicts how newcomers to the social norms in Maycomb can be distressed. Miss Caroline is the perfect example. Walter is in an impoverished situation and she feels the need to loan him money. After Scout tries to explain to her Walter's situation, Miss Caroline still believes her to be irrational. As the day was vanishing, Walter and Scout get in a fight. Expressing his knowledge more than Scout, Jem invites Walter for dinner after school. When food was served, Walter expresses his excitement for food. To refer back to the text, it states, “Walter pours molasses on his vegetables with a generous hand” (Lee, 32). Scout makes it clear that they are from different social classes by provoking him. Calpurnia has a good understanding of discrimination in her background so she is alarmed by Scouts actions. Calpurnia immediately imposes that just because Walter is distinct from them, doesn't mean Scout gets to judge him. Scout is most likely acting like this because of the example Miss Caroline was setting. “Scout tries to explain Walter’s lack of a lunch and refusal to a loan to the teacher since Walter himself can't or won't, but Walter’s situation- too poor to pay back a quarter- is just incomprehensible to Miss Caroline” (Shmoop). Gender is yet another prejudice that the town of Maycomb has to come to an understanding with.
Racism is the most defined case in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Maycomb’s shining point in Harper Lee's plot is the Tom Robinson case. While Harper Lee quickly forces us to root for Atticus and Tom, we learn that Tom Robinson has already lost the case purely because of his skin color. Tom Robinson is an African-American. Maycomb recognizes that Atticus is unique and assigns him to take on this case because he is the only citizen in Maycomb that would support Tom fairley. Since their father is involved, Jem and Scout instantly begin to be curious. They wonder why Atticus would agree to such an event. The children later understand that Atticus is doing the right thing and must stand up for what is right. Atticus tells the children, “In our courts when it's a white man's world against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Lee, 250). Furthermore, Atticus exclaims to the children that racism prevails within their county. “ We can conclude that Atticus shows disgust with white people taking advantage of black people's ignorance” (Felty, 300). The aged book lets us know that Maycomb's citizens do not feel good about responding to other people's differences. As we do today, Maycomb does not take action in up and coming problems such a
racism.
To Kill a Mockingbird lets readers experience dialogue and discrimination in an older fashion and from a different point of view. Harper Lee puzzles together prejudices against gender, class, and race. The novel is also rich in different possible themes. Harper Lee was trying to symbolize something in this novel. “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” (Lee 224). Sound familiar? Atticus Finch is the only being in Maycomb that would ever say those lines. Atticus Finch is the one who stood up for Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch proves Bob Ewell is a disgrace. A wise man once proclaimed, “Stand up for what is right, even if your standing alone.” Atticus Finch is Maycomb’s mockingbird.