Poor Judgment In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

The Impact of Poor Judgement

Judgement is indubitably the primary theme in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Harper Lee is emphatic about the need for reconstruction of social consciousness in the uncompromising Deep South of the 1930’s. Judgement is indicated by several characters throughout the book, such as Miss Gates, Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson.
Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem’s Father is one of the victims to judgement. When Atticus was selected for the inquiry of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape, he was judged tremendously, even though it wasn’t his choice. The whole town gossiped, including his own family and friends. Atticus was called a “nigger lover” by Cecil Jacobs, Scout wanted to teach him a lesson, but she forced herself

to alleviate the problem and refrain from a fight. Later, Francis Jacobs repeated the insult about Atticus to Scout. The fact that the children are talking about the case shows that the case is the talk of the town. Scout can’t comprehend why everybody is against Atticus if he’s doing the right thing. "Atticus, you must be wrong...." "How's that?" "Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong...." (11.54-56) From hearing all of the judgement on her Father, even Scout, his own daughter begins to succumb to the popular opinion that Atticus might be wrong about standing up for Tom Robinson. He was criticized and victimized by the entire county for defending a black man, even though he’s not a black man himself. This demonstrates how serious the issue has become for the town, and the influence popular opinion can have. The black community was so separated from the white community in it’s entirety, that even to be seen with a black man or to defend them would put the person at risk of extreme discrimination and harassment, regardless of if it was someone as respectable as Atticus Finch.
Another person who judgement is indicated with is Miss Gates.

Cecil Jacobs completes a current events project on Hitler, and Miss Gates takes this as an opportunity to teach about democracy. This leads to an intriguing conversation about equal rights in American democracy. In Chapter twenty six Miss Gates says, “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced. Prejudice,” She enunciated carefully. The irony of this statement is incredible. Miss Gates revels in pride in America’s ability not to persecute others, which is hypocrisy. Persecution is what the town is bounded by. There’s a specific time at the trial that Scout recalls when Miss Gates demonstrated persecution. Scout explains that she heard Miss Gates saying it’s time somebody taught the African American’s a lesson, and that they were getting above themselves. Mystified, Scout says she doesn’t understand how you can hate Hitler so badly for doing the same thing that you do to the people in your own home town. Miss Gates is doing what she talked of as if it was abominable, without stopping to second guess herself. She is so accustomed to her way of living that she can’t even acknowledge the fault in it, even after claiming to be a part of a nation without persecution. Also, indicated by Miss Gates’ comments outside of the courthouse, she is evidently racist. Miss Gates’ petty ways will constrict her from learning the important subjects that she teaches on, and

cause her to be known as a racist hypocrite to those who know her.
Tom Robinson is criticized and prejudiced against racially, as many blacks were in The Deep South at that time.

The town was separated by blacks and whites and had several rules regarding the segregation of the two. In spite of the discrimination against him, Tom Robinson was a kind and sympathetic man. Mayella Ewell took advantage of his kindness and lured him into her house for what Tom thought was to assist her, but we discover it was for other reasons. Tom Robinson is accused of raping Mayella, a charge that would not have occurred if their colours were reversed. Even though all evidence is clear that Tom was the one to be taken advantage of, Tom was found guilty by a biased all white jury. If the racial judgement hadn’t have existed, Tom would have his freedom. He was judged by something as petty as his appearance, and the town was willing to allow injustice happen due to a mere colour. “When it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins.” Says Atticus in chapter 23, stating how ineluctable the verdict was. A moment in the courtroom that represents great prejudice against Tom Robinson is when he shows sympathy for Mayella Ewell. "You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?" Mr Gilmer couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t comprehend why a black man could possibly perceive that he was better off than a white person, as being black was considered the undermost position. Tom Robinson’s life revolved around the colour of his skin, and it even

cost him his life.
Thus, judgement is indicated throughout the novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” with the characters Miss Gates, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson. Judgement by adjectives in replacement of facts has only negative effects and the power to destruct relationships, people, and lives.