Why Is Love Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

Love. The emotion that drives the world. A single word that has the weight of millions. I believe the central focus of Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is love and it's weight and effect on a world full of hatred. I believe this for the following reasons: Atticus’s support for his client, the help the family receives from the community, and the overwhelming sense of love and respect Jem and Scout carry for their father.
Atticus Finch, despite the hate he endures, carries a black man through a trial and shakes the community in a massive way. Atticus exerts love for Tom Robinson whenever he visits Tom’s family and supports them. The text also states,
"’I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby,

it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.’” (Lee). This statement refers to when scout asked Atticus if he loved the negroes. This fact exhibits that Atticus does truly love and care for all people, namely Tom Robinson and his family. This leads into the community supporting the Finches out of respect and thanks.
The community, who the Robinsons were involved with, was very thankful for all Atticus did for them. They treated them as their own, and they appreciated all the Finches did. Lee’s text states, “Calpurnia said, ‘This was all ‘round the back steps when I got here this morning. They- they ‘preciate what you did, Mr. Finch.” This exhibits the love the community held for Mr. Finch, despite their hard times. This love was coupled with the undying love and respect Jem and Scout help for their dad.
Jem and Scout hold much respect and love for their father. One specific occasion was when Jem went out in search of his father, only to have saved his life while Atticus was at gunpoint. The text also states, “‘It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.’” (Lee). This quote was said by Scout referring to her father, and it exhibits the vast love and respect the children carry for their dad.
On the other hand, however, many people believe that the novel is based more of racism and it's effects. The Tom Robinson case is a good example of this. It carries the following: a predetermined verdict, a racist jury, and a clear segregatory line. The text states, “‘I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella.’” (Lee). This statement is made by Mr. Swell referring to Tom Robinson, describing him as less than human. I believe however this brief period of the book is overshadowed by the love surrounding it as a whole. The novel is more heavily influenced by the aspects of love and compassion, rather than the racism and its effects.
In conclusion, Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird has a central theme of love as opposed to racism. The novel many times shows that love is greater than all challenges. This is shown when Atticus wholeheartedly supports Tom Robinson. It is also seen when the community supports Atticus despite their struggles. It is seen again when Jem and Scout support and love their father no matter what. Love justified that despite hard times, there will always be hope for a brighter tomorrow.