To Kill A Mockingbird Racism Quotes

Alveda King once said, “Racism springs from the lie that, human beings are less than fully human. It’s a self centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing we are right to treat others as we would not want to be treated”. This quote suggests that racism, a major theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is only sprung if one is ignorant or self centered. To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during the Great Depression where a 6 year old Scout and 9 year old Jem learn life lessons from their lawyer father, Atticus, and many more people who they are influenced by in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. During the trial scene in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee uses characterization to show that racism exists in a world of ignorance,

It portrays the behavior that is not accepted in society. This quote shows how racism has a big impact on people’s views and the differences between races are emphasized. In addition, Harper Lee uses another example of racist views toward Tom Robinson through another quote that was said during the trial. Another important quote that displays racism that is told by Atticus during the trial speech explains that all people are created equal and should not be judged based on their skin color. Atticus states, “You know the truth, and the truth is this:some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is the truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire”(273). The author specifically uses the words “You know the truth and the truth is this”, to inform that everyone has made mistakes and should be open minded in any kind of situation. It is important to look

During the break in the trial scene, Jem, Scout, and Dill spot the neighborhood gossip: Dolphus Raymond. Jem explains to both Scout and Dill about who Mr Raymond is through his influenced views. Harper Lee writes, “”Why’s he sittin’ with the colored folks?’ ‘Always does. He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon. Lives by himself way down near the county line. He’s got a colored woman and all sorts of mixed children. Show you some of ‘em if we see ‘em.’ ‘He doesn’t look like trash,’ said Dill”(214). The quote clearly shows how along with ignorance, prejudice can also be the reason for racist views. The author specifically uses the words, “He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon” to show how Jem’s views on Dolphus Raymond are unsure but claims he prefers blacks over whites anyway. Lee writes the words “show you some of ‘em if we see ‘em” to portray their fascination over someone with mixed kids since it isn’t common to see someone with both black and whited kids in Maycomb. Furthermore, the way Jem states the above quote implies their views towards mixed race people are highly influenced by the racism going on around them. Additionally, Dill adds ”He doesn’t look like trash” which shows their prejudice without even knowing Mr Raymond. These views are due to ignorance and racism, which results in jumping to