Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird we see through the characters how entrenched the racism present actually is and how it is such a way of life that even the townsfolk themselves don't realize their racist actions. On the one hand we see the "good" characters, who represent the picturesque side of Maycomb and are non discriminate toward the black Americans. On the other hand we have the "bad" characters who represent the ugly and discriminating side of Maycomb. These characters are the racists of the town, whether it be the subtle, hypocritical racism of Miss Merriwether or the outright hatred of Negroes by Bob Ewell.
We see that racism is accepted in the town when Scout asks Atticus "Do you defend niggers, Atticus?" and he replies, "Of course I do. Don't say nigger Scout. That's common." And she says, "s what everybody at school says." (P. 83) .
This quote emphasizes how accepting people were of racist words, mainly because everybody else said it. The children at school probably said it because their parents said it, and therefore saw it as okay. This is why many people in the town remained ignorant to what racism truly was and had no idea of much damage it caused.
Miss Merriwether is portrayed to be a very proper, upper class lady. However, beneath the surface we see some very clear signs of racism due to her naivety. It is just the way in which she shows her racism that makes it subtle and you could even think that she was a "good" character if you did not read between the lines. When she says .
" Oh child those poor Mrunas- (P. 255) and then she contradicts the views she thinks she has by saying " there's nothing worse than a sulky darky." (P. 256) .
These two quotes show how unknowingly hypocritical Miss Merriwether is because she is first talking with passion about how sorry she feels for the Negroes abroad but then she says derogatory comments about her own cook. .
Mr Dolphus Raymond is seen as one of the "good" characters of To Kill a Mockingbird because we are told that he is married to a Negro woman and lives on the outskirts of town with the blacks and his "mixed" children.
To Kill a Mockingbird deals with Southern life during the 1930 "s. The book exposes a great deal of stereotyping, racism and prejudice. ... That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."... Throughout Harper Lee's, To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus is the voice of reason. ... Atticus kills the dog, like he kills the racism and prejudice, not letting it spread to his children. ...
The world's worst kind of prejudice is racism, and as illustrated in "To Kill a Mockingbird," it ruins the lives of those who suffer from it. During the time this book was written, racism was acceptable, but "To Kill a Mockingbird" shows the world a whole different side of the time. ... The benign force of racism puts a stamp on every part of "To Kill a Mockingbird," but the most apparent victim would be Tom Robinson. ... In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus says, "But do you think I could face my children otherwise? ... All of this is evident in "To Kill a Mockingbird," during the lives o...
Racism in "To Kill A Mockingbird" is very common, and it is an important part in the story. ... Innocence in "To Kill A Mockingbird" is shown throughout the book various times. ... Courage in "To Kill A Mockingbird" is shown by various characters like Scout, Jem, Atticus, and Tom Robinson. Courage in "To Kill A Mockingbird" is very hard to come by because of all the prejudice remarks and racist comments to the local African-Americans in the story, Atticus although puts aside the differences between white and black people and decides to help a black man in court. ... Racism, innocence, and cour...
Racism caused many problems for black people in the South during the depression. ... In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how prejudice and racism affected black people. ... That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird... - 90 Tom Robinson shouldn't die for being a mockingbird, but racists can't look past the color of his skin to see the harmless and innocent mockingbird. Prejudice and racism made it hard for many blacks to live a normal life during the depression. ...
A major theme in To Kill A Mockingbird is racism. ... The setting of To Kill A Mockingbird is a small, southern town in the 1930's. This setting is the most important fictional element that affected the theme of racism in To Kill A Mockingbird. ... There were many reasons why Maycomb County's people were filled with racism. ... The theme of racism in To Kill A Mockingbird was most affected by the old, small, southern town called Maycomb County. ...
Racism was an influential part of society in the 1930s' as seen in To Kill a Mockingbird. ... The largest demonstration of this in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is Tom Robinson, he was guilty the moment that Bob Ewell reported him to the Sheriff Heck Tate. ... A large step in the fight against racism. The racism in To Kill a Mockingbird was ridiculous, not in the fact that there was so much of it and it was so strong, but in the fact that a community would take the word of a trashy white man over that of a clearly innocent black man; that is what makes it so ridiculous. ... Racism was a...
Atticus Finch is a complicated character in "To Kill A Mockingbird." ... "He doesn't believe in killing just to kill. He says that killing mockingbirds is a "sin"" because they don't hurt anyone in any way. ... Atticus's fair-mindedness makes racism something he hates. ... Atticus doesn't understand racism - "Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand"" (117). ...
Essay: To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee expertly incorporates a variety of themes into To Kill a Mockingbird. ... Among the themes presented, racism, education, and bravery stand out as the fundamental themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Racism is the most prominently significant theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. ... Education is also a key theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. ... The themes of racism, education, and bravery all play an important role in shaping To Kill a Mockingbird into the literary success it has become. ...
What would it be like living in a period of time where racism was normal? ... In the book To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus tries to teach is kids the correct skills in dealing with situations such as racism, prejudice, and even how to fight back with non-violence. ... Another skill that Atticus tries to teach is kids is not to harm mockingbirds. In the beginning of the book Atticus says that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because it never harms anyone and does nothing but create music for people to listen to. Mockingbirds is a synonym in a way, because it can represent people also such as Tom ...
