Dehumanization In To Kill A Mockingbird

Today, racism is a problematic situation that can break nation apart. Discrimination on one’s personal characteristics can sway a community's opinion greatly. Harper Lee was indulged in numerous racist encounters in her life, many of which transpire into her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In the novel, one is seen as an animal when enduring the venom of racism. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, racism leads to the dehumanization of both the victims and the infectors.
The racism within Maycomb is so strong that Tom Robinson is marginalized from the treasonous people within the jail and viewed as beneath them, even subhuman. Various characters in the novel believe other races are animalistic, in that way a caste system revealed. In an interracial environment, one will belittle a human that stands out to be different. African Americans are placed beneath everyone as if being put in a cage. This results into many inequality debates,

in which African Americans are stomped on like dirt. One’s community embeds barriers to segregate African Americans: Heck Tate declared,”... Movin’ him to the County Jail tomorrow…” (Lee 165). Tom Robinson was demised as an animal, therefore, he was removed from the other jail. This is authorized so none of the interactions between races are acted upon.
Not only is Tom Robinson looked at as an animal, but the town’s people turn into uncontrollable beasts as a result of racism. In a small town community words spread like wildfire. One’s thoughts towards a group of people will superiorize the community’s opinions. Within the novel, Atticus explained to Jem, “That proves something-that a gang of wild animals can be stopped... “(Lee 179). When the drunken lynch mob comes for Tom, not even the sight of children could cure their lustful behavior.  Racism is an infectious disease as symbolized with Tim Johnson’s appearance. Tim is known as the “pet of Maycomb”. He is a quiet and heartfelt soul that is only known for positive things. When Tim caught rabies, the town’s people ran and hid in their homes. Instantly, Tim was looked at as a monster: Scout narrated “I thought mad dogs foamed at the mouth, galloped, leaped and lunged at throats, and I thought they only did it in August. Had Tom Johnson behaved thus, I would have been less frightened” (Lee 108). Tim, in this situation, represents the people of Maycomb. As racism diffuses throughout the town, one starts to make up vile theories, which turns into vulgar actions, such as lynch mobs. One that is racist appears to be infused with a drug that suddenly takes over the body and destroys all humanity left in the soul.
In the novel, Cecil Jacobs has entitled racist opinions, he is immune to his parent’s sickening words, along with other kids in Maycomb.

Parents that grow their own discriminatory attitude rub off ideas on their children and soon enough they will catch the infection as well. Because of Atticus’s interracial correlation, his family turns away from him. Francis, Aunt Alexandra’s grandson, reveals his family’s despise for Atticus’s doings. As Scout and him get in a fight, Francis accuses Atticus of being a “N***** Lover.” A child could not have developed those words alone. Scout voiced “Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended N******” (Lee 85). Cecil, being Scout’s age, does not even comprehend what the meaning of the words are. The children of Maycomb follow the trends of their parents. One that is content with their own well being will direct their children from right and wrong, as Atticus is demonstrating throughout the novel in his

children.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, By Harper Lee, demonstrates the demonic power of dehumanizing one racially. As one craves power, it leads others to feel the same way. Racism brings out the malevolence hiding beneath one’s innocent appearance.  Deframing a human different than yourself, entirely destroys the existence of the interracial communication. Discriminatory actions which ridicule other races cause the helpless need for a hierarchy. Children are becoming licensed to the ugliness of racism and breathing it in. Harper Lee opens one’s eyes to see the racist environment this heinous world is and was.