Prejudice is arguably the most prominent theme of the novel. It is directed towards groups and individuals in the Maycomb community. Prejudice is linked with ideas of fear superstition and injustice.
Racial prejudice consumed the mob (pg 166), which wished to prevent Tom even gaining a court hearing, the most basic form of justice. This is probably the fiercest form of prejudice in the novel. .
The abolition of slavery after the civil war gave blacks the same legal position as many whites in America. This initially made Blacks' lives harder because now the Whites saw them as competitors for jobs during the 30s depression. Fear and paranoid led to the Whites believing that the Blacks desired all the whites had, including their women.
Aunt Alexandra's attitude to Calpurnia.
The Missionary tea ladies' comments about the Blacks essaybank.co.uk.
Segregation of White and Black in Maycomb.
Dolphus Raymond - White man living with Black woman.
Class & Family Group is recognised by Jem on page 249 "There are four kinds of folks in the world - -.
Finches & neighbours: White middle-class.
Cunninghams: Badly hit farming community.
Ewells: Lowest class of whites White Trash'.
Blacks: Seen as bottom of social strata.
Due to the abolition of slavery there was no longer a clear-cut line between the Ewells and the Blacks; skin colour did not make them any better. wwga gaw esgagas ayga gaba nga kcga gauk.
When Tom said in the trial that he felt sorry for Mayella (a crime worse than rape in the jury's eyes) - the lowest class showing superiority for a class above themselves. The white community was frightened for their own position in society; the only reason Tom was found guilty was to maintain the traditional hierarchies. wwag agw esagags ayag agba nag kcag aguk. wweb ebw esebebs ayeb ebba neb kceb ebuk!.
Alexandra is obsessed with heredity and educating Scout and Jem of their superior family background - she will not allow Scout to bring home a Cunningham to play, nor will she allow her to visit Calpurnia at her home.