" This is an example of the prejudice in a small town like that, after all isolation is a major factor in why prejudice and racism arise in this novel. My opinion on this is that Miss Stephanie doesnt know any better than to gossip about something she clearly doesnt know the truth about. Harper Lee uses a motif, mocking birds, in most of the main characters to explore the theme of prejudice. The Finches- Atticus, Jem and Scout- all symbolise mocking birds. The name Finch suggests this. .
One of the main characters Atticus also faced predjudice by several different characters in the novel. Atticus was Harper Lee's ideal man his only fault was that he was too idealistic. Atticus didn't see any place for prejudice of any kind. He defended a blackman Tom Robinson in a case that he knew would be very difficult to win and could totally change his life. Atticus was brave in doing this. He was "nigger lover" by several people but just took it in his stride. He even replied to Scout "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody." He also tried to act the same around everyone. He was always polite to black people, undesirable people and the rest of Maycomb. He always called Mayella Miss Mayella. Mayella didn't see this as him being polite and got annoyed "Long hew keeps on callin" me ma"am an" sayin" Miss Mayella I don't hefta take his sass." Miss Maudie comments on this and says "he's consistently polite". I think Atticus symbolised a mocking bird because he never harmed anyone. In my opinion Atticus was a very honest and kind man who tryed to please everyone by doing the right thing and because of this he faced predjudice. .
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Scout is also affected by prejudiceand also symbolises a mocking bird. She, like Atticus, was called a "nigger lover" and was nearly killed because Atticus defended Tom Robinson.
