Racial themes in the film To Kill A Mockingbird

Racial themes in the film To Kill A Mockingbird

Racial categories are created in the film To Kill A Mockingbird through a complex societal hierarchy founded in difference. Although all of Macon county lives in poverty, the town does not unite on the basis of this shared experience, but instead focuses on their differences, both real and imagined, to segregate themselves. The town operates under a general assumption that wealthier whites hold the most power and prestige, followed by poorer whites, while all blacks, regardless of financial station, are considered to be the lowest citizens.

General depictions of black men and women in the film are of household servants and ignorant, docile farm workers. The only slight indication that there were any educated blacks in Macon comes from the appearance of the preacher at Tom Robinson’s trial. Held on charges of raping and beating a poor, white woman, Mr. Robinson is portrayed as a meek and nearly helpless man. The fact that he can barely speak in his own defense, relays both the idea that black men were uneducated, as well as the idea that blacks were afraid to step over the boundaries of their society. Attics Finch, a kind and fair white lawyer, is the only person to speak up for Mr. Robinson. This demonstrates the idea that the lowly black man needs a benevolent white man to “save” him and direct his life along the right path. Black men and women in the film are unable to make their own decisions. Clearly, there were obvious lines drawn in Macon, delegating specific roles to the various groups of citizens. The dark pigment of Mr. Robinson’s skin placed him on the bottom rung of society, forcing him into a subservient position.

It is difficult to discern whether the film is attempting to garner sympathy for the oppressed black community, or reinforce stereotypes of ignorant and complacent black men and women. While the initial depictions of the black community center around the Finch’s maid, Calpurnia, the respect with which the family treats her is far from the norm. Ranging from the callous indifference of several of the white law-enforcement officers, to the blatant racism of the group of country farmers, much meaning is assumed from difference. The racism of Macon seems to stem from the Southern history of slavery.