Diversity In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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Harper Lee, in her novel To Kill A Mockingbird, explores the idea of how non-diversity in jury impacted court cases through gender diversity, differences in race, and age diversity. Gender diversity is important to ensure fairness and unbiased decision-making regarding courtrooms. Atticus speaks to the jury and shows that the jury is made up of men. “Gentlemen, a court is no better than each of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” (Lee 205). This quote shows the importance of having a diverse jury. When gender diversity is present, it ensures that different voices are heard and other thoughts are discussed. Just like gender diversity is an example of …show more content…

Reverend Sykes says this to Scout and Jem about the jury. “I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man.” (Lee 208). This quote implies that the jury had been made up of all white men because if the jury had been diverse in terms of race the jury may have gone in favor of Tom Robinson or at least thought about it more. Just like differences in race is an example of how non-diversity impacts court cases, age diversity is another example of how it can impact court cases. Age diversity ensures that there is a variety of life experiences and perspectives on the jury. Scout talks to Jem about how she feels about Miss Gates's thoughts about Hitler and the people of their town. “Well, coming out of the courthouse that night Miss Gates was -- she was goin’ down the steps in front of us, you musta not seen her -- she was talking with Miss Stephine Crowford. I heard her say it’s time somebody taught em’ a lesson, they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home? —” (Lee 247). This quote expresses how adults think in set ways compared to kids like Scout and

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