Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

The idea that one person is better than another has been passed down from trusting parents to credulous children since the beginning of time. This inconsideration for human rights and emotion start a cycle of hate and deceit for a certain kind of person. The only way to stop this cycle is to bring knowledge and discernment to it; to help others realize the strong animosity around us, and breed a new generation who bring about a change. This change could help people realize that their need to judge others derives from their own problems. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee reveals that prejudice stems from fear. Every aspect of prejudice in the novel shows that people act from feelings of panic and concern. Aunt Alexandra aires her

Maycomb County is a small town with close minded people. Their views towards african americans are skewed by what they are taught at a young age, which at this time was to treat people of color like they are less important. “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank” (Lee 102)! Children are very impressionable, and they listen to what their parents say, and hold it as fact. As a result of this even good people can be corrupted by the terrors of racism because of how they are raised. Unfortunately for Tom Robinson (male african american) his paths crossed with the daughter of a proud white family that left him in a dreadful situation. Tom Robinson is accused of rape by the Ewell family. The reason the Ewell’s accuse him of a crime he did not commit is because to them he is dispensable, his life being thrown away is a better alternative than being criticized by one of their neighbors. ”She reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger” (Lee 260). Mayella Ewell felt an attraction towards Tom Robinson, but he did not feel the same way. The reason she lied, and brought so much pain into his life is because she is scared that no one would approve of her for kissing someone of color. Unlike most of

Boo Radley lives in Maycomb County, with Nathan Radley in what is known by wandering children as the Radley house. In the beginning the three kids Scout, Jem, and Dill start to hear more, and more stories about Boo- the town creep, and they become engulfed with intrigue, and curiosity. It is because of all these mean rumors that fill the children’s mind that cause them to discriminate against Boo. For example, “Mrs. Radley lost most of her teeth, her hair, and her right forefinger (Dill’s contribution. Boo bit it off one night when he couldn't find any cats and squirrels to eat)” (Lee 52). Boo is just a misunderstood boy who likes to spend most of his time inside. The people of Maycomb find this odd, and because of that they make up these extravagant lies, and pass them along to make him look like a violent criminal. It is unknown whether Boo Radley knows of his reputation of being the town weirdo, but throughout the novel he provides many little acts of kindness to show his true characteristics. For example, “You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you” (Lee 96). This is referring to when the kids wake up to find a fire at Miss. Maudie’s house. Scout watches from afar, but does not observe when Boo notices she is cold, and puts a blanket over her. After this Scout, and Jem do not speak of Boo