Essay On Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird - 970 Words

Racism in the United States of America, especially the South, in the 1930s was exceptionally different from the racism that America is experiencing today. In the compelling novel â€Å"To Kill A Mockingbird,† by Harper Lee, hating or disliking a person that has a different skin color was an extremely common thing, and was accepted as normal; especially in the southern states. The majority of white children were brought up to think that they were more superior than black children in their households, and on the streets. Many families still didn’t want to associate themselves with black families, even though the story takes place post-Civil War. The Civil War, and many ‘famous’ Confederate soldiers are mentioned throughout the book, and many†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"We had such a good chance,’ he said. â€Å"I told him what I thought, but I couldn’t in truth say that we had more than a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of white men ’s chances and preferred to take his own.† (Lee, 235). Atticus had put his heart into the Robinson case and kept his hopes high for Tom, although chances seemed low, Atticus assured him they would win the case. He was greatly upset when he found out that Tom was shot, and was angered by the people of Maycomb that used Tom’s death as an excuse to insult the African-American community. In addition to Atticus working hard on the case, he also made sure his children are treating others with the best of kindness and respect. Scout and Jem have many encounters with children at school who have parents that are ashamed to know Atticus because of the Tom Robinson case. They have taught their kids that it’s a sin to help a black man, and Scout and Jem feel the effects from that. Despite those troubles, Atticus teaches his children to always hold their head high, and to turn the other cheek. Scout tries very hard to keep Atticus’s words true to her heart, and makes sure that she walks away when other kids try to pick fights with her. She struggles with not letting the things that people say about Atticus make her mad. â€Å"Promise you won’t tell Atticus about this. He- he asked me one time to not let anything I heard about him make me mad, an’ I’d rutherShow MoreRelatedTo Kill a Mockingbird Essay About Racism795 Words   |  4 PagesBurrell Period 5 TKAM Essay 10/6/09 (Re-Write 10/24/09) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee depicts racism in the 1930’s and shows the characters had to overcome challenges because of it. The 1930’s was a difficult time to live in because of racism against African Americans and the depression, where thousands of people lost their jobs. The idea â€Å"an extraordinary challenge can sometimes make an ordinary person into a hero† shows that anyone in To Kill a Mockingbird could have been a hero,Read MoreRacism In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay1539 Words   |  7 Pagesconditions, and more. Prejudice gained prominence in this era and the idea of racism was born. Most westerners seem to treat everyone that doesn’t fit their skin color and attributes as a worthy sufferer of hate. Racism would later flow through systems and societies of other countries, plaguing the population of ideas that make no sense and judge a population based on something one cannot control. One of the many playing fields of racism was the Un ited States in the 1900’s, even though slavery was eradicatedRead MoreRacism In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay1457 Words   |  6 Pagesimprove due to figures shining a light on the issues. Harper Lee is a highly respected character. She is able to show the effects and ugly side of racism in To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout Lee brings out racism by using connections to the Jim Crow laws, mob mentality, and Scottsboro trials. The Jim Crow Laws are evident throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. They were fatal and obstructed many black people’s rights. The laws were originally meant to only separate the races and keep the conditions equalRead MoreEssay On Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird1561 Words   |  7 Pagesdisproportionately make up more than half of the prison population. There is indisputable racism in this country, and the world of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird displays this in a very obvious light. Racism has been around for centuries, it has changed and reformed itself. Racism cannot not be solved overnight, but it can be solved with positive and immediate steps and actions. Society as a whole is highly capable of overcoming racism. Therefore, the belief that it will never change and that the society willRead MoreRacism In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay729 Words   |  3 Pagesand thought you had no meaning to live or even get near them. Having everything separate from whites and whe re you were accused of anything or anything if you were near.This was how people in Maycomb County used to live in the 1930’s. In â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† that is how most people lived except the Finch family who thought everyone was created equal no matter the color of their skin. When Cal took Scout and Jem to her church that was on the day Reverend Sykes wanted the church to give money toRead MoreRacism In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay902 Words   |  4 Pagesyoung narrator of Lee Harper’s To Kill a Mockingbird, poses a fair question on the topic of racism in the southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. The narrative talks of a situation similar to historical events whose impact is still seen in the United States today. Aspects of real-life events involving cases based on race, such as all-white juries, clear evidence that is ignored, and no justice being served, influenced Harper Lee’s fictional novel of To Kill a Mockingbird. In Scottsboro, a small town inRead MoreThe Theme of Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay1050 Words   |  5 PagesIn the book To Kill a Mockingbird, many minor themes are present such as gender and age. However, the largest and therefore major theme of the book is racism. All of the events and themes in the book had only one purpose, to support the theme of racism. One of the most important events in the book was Tom Robinson’s trial, which was unfairly judged due to the fact that the jury could not see beyond the color of Tom’s skin. The put their own racist opinions ahead of what is right and just. One ofRead MoreRacism and Discrimination in to Kill a Mockingbird Essay870 Words   |  4 PagesRacism and Discrimination as the theme in To Kill A Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, that offers a view of life through a young girl’s eyes. The novel is focused on two main themes which are racism and discrimination. Racism is probably the biggest theme of the novel. It comes in as an open and subtle manner that is being displayed through speeches and actions. Racism in Maycomb takes mainly the form of having white people against blackRead MoreRacism in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Essay1497 Words   |  6 PagesRacism was a very large part of society in the south during the 1930’s. Many colored people were thought of as less than their peers. Whites were considered better than African Americans were, and almost every white person accepted the unjust judgment. Racial discrimination hit hard in the south. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird were impacted by racial discrimination, including Calpurnia, Scout, and Tom Robinson and his family. One of the more â€Å"accepted† sorts of racism in theRead MoreRacism in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Essay866 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"To Kill A Mockingbird† is marvelous and unforgettable novel. Not only show how dramatic, sad in and old town – Maycomb be like, but through her unique writings, some big conflicts about politics and critical is going on through this tired old Southern town. Not just in general like education, friendship, neighbors but also pacific in individuals like family and the people’s characteristics themselves. In one book yet can covered with such many problems, Harper Lee must have been experienced a lot