Flaws In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird characterizes Maycomb’s flaws because it is a town where others judge and misunderstand one another leaving townspeople scared to speak up for themselves. This conveys to readers that society should understand the perspective of another person so one can express their thoughts and opinions freely. (Mention prejudice for judgement)

The discrimination against the black race is so common in the town of Maycomb, the white society blindly uses it as a scapegoat to treat each other immorally. The white community’s prejudices sanction them to judge them without realizing the black race has the same value and notions as them. Atticus establishes this in the courtroom by telling that there is no particular

group of people that a stereotype can be applied to when he says, “Some Negroes lie, some Negros are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular face of men” (Lee 233).The black society of Maycomb is undermined to the extent that the white population is scared of the consequences that may arise if someone were to speak up and defend this hated black minority. This often shuts down the opportunities when someone is given the chance to say what they believe is right. Thus showing, being judgmental can give others the inability to feel open about what they believe resulting in others judging them without understanding where they come from. TRANSITION. A specific character who receives a variety of judgmental remarks is Tom Robinson His inability to be ‘believed’ due to the judgement of his skin color is what results in him being guilty of raping Mayella Ewell. The white community has difficulty noticing the impediments of being colored which can be interpreted during the trail when Robinson says, “Mr. Finch, if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared too” (Lee 223). Tom had not commit any crime, yet he was still petrified as he knew Maycomb’s mentality and how they will automatically accuse him of raping Mayella. Although all the evidence shown lines up with Tom being innocent, the jury is essentially judging him and basing their opinion on the stereotypes of his hated black skinned community due to tradition rather than the hard evidence lying in front of their eyes. This leaves Tom feeling scared of the persecution he may have to face for another person’s fault due to society’s racial judgments.

Being misunderstood in Maycomb is very prevalent which creates difficulties for certain individuals such as, Boo Radley and Mrs.

Henry Lafayette Dubose. The town’s misunderstanding of Boo due to his disappearance has created difficulties in his attempts to create a friendship or bond with Jem and Scout. As Scout and Jem are walking home, they come across Mr. Nathan Radley. Jem starts a conversation with him saying, “‘Mr. Radley, ah—did you put cement in that hole in that tree down yonder?’… ‘[Nathan speaks] Tree’s dying. You plug ’em with cement when they’re sick’” (Lee 70). Jem later goes to Atticus and asks, “‘Is that tree dyin’?’… ‘[Atticus speaks] That tree’s as healthy as you are…” (Lee 70-71). Boo Radley’s desire and endeavor to reach out to Jem and Scout for a friendship is put to a stop when Nathan Radley interferes and clogs up the hole in the tree on their property with cement. Nathan misunderstands Boo’s aim to create to create a connection with someone, in this case, the two kids. He misinterprets it as a threat to Jem and Scout assuming he might endanger them due to past history. This illustrates that one should understand the perspective of another to understand what one wants to achieve. Another example of a Maycomb citizen who is misunderstood due to her personality is Mrs. Dubose. Jem and Scout note she is heartless and mean character, but it is hidden that she is facing personal complications that cannot be seen by others. Atticus helps Jem recognize the courageous women they knew when he says, “She was the bravest person I ever knew” (128). Mrs. Dubose makes a difficult decision to die clean while suffering with agony as she wants to die known as a courageous women, not an addict. She was afraid what others might think if she was known as an addict leaving a misjudgment on her. This demonstrates one must understand what truly goes on behind closed doors before making quick assumptions about another

another.