essay on prejudice in to kill a mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

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Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird , Scout witnesses many different types of prejudice—and even promotes these attitudes herself—including classism, sexism, and racism. Regardless of the type of prejudicial worldview, each one treats people as stereotyped groups, demands conformity, and doesn’t give any credit to individuals. Over and over again, To Kill a Mockingbird illustrates how prejudice can be closed-minded and dangerous, as well as seemingly benign—but in all cases, it’s ridiculous and misguided.

Though racism is the type of prejudice that shines through the novel the most, Mockingbird is careful to show that this not the only kind of prejudice at work—and, at least for a white girl like Scout, it’s not even the most pressing issue in her life. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that racism isn’t Scout’s biggest issue exactly because she’s white, and what bothers her more is the sexism she experiences, and the classism expressed most often by her Aunt Alexandra . Scout is a tomboy and states clearly that she has no interest in being a lady, so she finds attempts by her Uncle Jack , Aunt Alexandra, and occasionally Jem to force her into acting more like a lady to be especially offensive, especially when this concerns wearing dresses instead of her preferred overalls. While certainly not a direct equivalent to racism, the sexism that Scout experiences at times impresses upon her just how silly prejudice is in general. Despite this, she still holds and espouses her own sexist views—she laughs when her cousin Francis says that Aunt Alexandra is going to teach him to cook, as she believes that boys don’t cook. To an outside observer, the juxtaposition of Scout’s annoyance with others’ clothing preferences with her own sexist ideas makes the point that anyone, even the victims of unfair treatment themselves, can hold questionable views.

Similarly, Scout gradually comes to the understanding that a person’s financial situation or family history shouldn’t have any bearing on whether or not they’re thought of as good people—though in many cases, she sees clearly that it does. While Aunt Alexandra outright forbids Scout from playing with Walter Cunningham , a poor farm boy at school, Scout sees that the only thing that separates her and Walter is that Walter has to miss school to work on the farm and his family doesn’t have any money—neither of which are things with which Scout (whose father, Atticus , is a lawyer) has to contend. Further, Scout feels especially warm toward the Cunningham family in general following Tom Robinson ’s trial, as someone in the family was on the jury and was the one who fought to acquit Robinson. For Scout, this is proof that Walter isn’t all that different from her, and moreover, is a good person deserving of respect and kindness. To Aunt Alexandra, however, the possibility of Scout being friends with Walter represents an existential threat to the Finch family name, as she believes that being anything but polite and detached toward poor individuals sullies one’s own reputation—again, something Scout sees as being ridiculous, misguided, and selfish.

While the existence of racism in Maycomb becomes clearest to Scout during and immediately after Tom Robinson’s trial, the novel goes to great lengths to show that the racism hurled at Robinson doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s a part of the way Maycomb operates. Scout learns in the year or so before the trial that segregation and a general dislike of black people isn’t something benign or normal: rather, it exists thanks to a strong undercurrent of hate on the part of white people in Maycomb. During and after the trial, Scout hears friends, family, and neighbors verbally attack Atticus for taking Tom Robinson’s defense seriously—in their opinion, Robinson doesn’t deserve a fair trial because of the color of his skin. She and Jem also suffer abuse for Atticus’s choice to defend Robinson, suggesting that in Maycomb, treating a black person with anything other than distant contempt is an unspeakable offense. Similarly, Atticus makes the case in his closing argument that the case, which relies on he-said-she-said argumentation rather than medical evidence or eyewitness testimony, asks the jury to believe that all black men are dangerous rapists—even if there’s no compelling evidence that Robinson raped Mayella Ewell , and even if there’s a very good chance that Mr. Ewell , Mayella’s father, was the one who beat her instead.

Through all of this, Scout gradually comes to the conclusion that prejudice of any kind is ridiculous and misguided—after all, she sees that the town becomes increasingly hostile toward Atticus, whom she believes is unwaveringly good, when he stands up against prejudice by defending Robinson. Further, she begins to interrogate her own prejudiced thoughts about Boo Radley , especially after he saves her and Jem’s lives. Scout’s gradual realization that it’s not fruitful or worth her time to dislike or fear people for their differences, no matter what they are, makes the case that it’s possible to move on from prejudice as people gain exposure to others who are different—especially when those seemingly different people turn out to be not so different from oneself.

Prejudice ThemeTracker

Prejudice Quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird

“There's some folks who don't eat like us," she whispered fiercely, "but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” “He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham—“ “Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty!”

“There are just some kind of men who—who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.”

“If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?”

“For a number of reasons,” said Atticus. “The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”

"Atticus, are we going to win it?"

“No, honey.”

“Then why—”

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said.

“Atticus, you must be wrong…”

“How's that?”

“Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong…”

Lula stopped, but she said, “You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here—they got their church, we got our'n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?”

When I looked down the pathway again, Lula was gone. In her place was a solid mass of colored people.

One of them stepped from the crowd. It was Zeebo, the garbage collector. “Mister Jem,” he said, “we're mighty glad to have you all here. Don't pay no 'tention to Lula, she's contentious because Reverend Sykes threatened to church her. She's a troublemaker from way back, got fancy ideas an' haughty ways—we're mighty glad to have you all.”

Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was.

“Well how do you know we ain't Negroes?”

“Uncle Jack Finch says we really don't know. He says as far as he can trace back the Finches we ain't, but for all he knows we mighta come straight out of Ethiopia durin' the Old Testament.”

“Well if we came out durin' the Old Testament it's too long ago to matter.”

“That's what I thought," said Jem, “but around here once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black.”

“If you had a clear conscience, why were you scared?”

“Like I says before, it weren't safe for any nigger to be in a—fix like that.”

“But you weren't in a fix—you testified that you were resisting Miss Ewell. Were you so scared that she'd hurt you, you ran, a big buck like you?”

“No suh, I's scared I'd be in court, just like I am now.”

“Scared of arrest, scared you'd have to face up to what you did?”

“No suh, scared I'd hafta face up to what I didn't do.”

“The way that man called him 'boy' all the time an' sneered at him, an' looked around at the jury every time he answered— … It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that—it just makes me sick.”

“They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep.”

“Oh child, those poor Mrunas,” she said, and was off. Few other questions would be necessary.

Mrs. Merriweather's large brown eyes always filled with tears when she considered the oppressed. “Living in that jungle with nobody but J. Grimes Everett,” she said. “Not a white person'll go near 'em but that saintly J. Grimes Everett.”

Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.

“When they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things…Atticus, he was real nice…” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.

To Kill a Mockingbird Racism

Racism implies prejudice, bias , or discrimination directed either at an individual or an entire race or group of people belonging to a different ethnicity. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird presents racism in Maycomb society where most of the people belong to different races. Harper Lee projects racism and details how social injustice, prejudices, and class discrimination ruin social harmony. Although the whole text depicts racism, a few prominent incidents of racism in the novel have been discussed below.

Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird

Incident -1.

Tom’s trial is the major incident of racism as the entire novel revolves around it. His arrested for rape and assault on Myella Ewell, a white woman. This incident turns the whole population of Maycomb against him. He becomes an easy victim of racism just because of the color of his skin. Everyone in the town believes in Myella’s side of the story except Atticus. Although there is no proof of his crime, yet he faces hatred from the citizens of his own community as well as the court. This trial provides an opportunity to examine the racist stance of an entire community.

Incident -2

The second incident of racism involves Atticus and his defense of Tom. He decides to stand with Tom because he believes his innocence. This decision invites the wrath of the Maycomb society. In chapter nine, Scout’s classmate, Cecil Jacob, announces that Scout’s father is defending a ‘Negro’ which causes a brawl between Scout and Cecil. Racism has poisoned the atmosphere so much so that Scouts forgets her promise and loses her temper. The association of this incident of racism becomes prominent here for supporting an innocent.

Incident -3

Another incident of racism involves a white character , Boo Radley, who stabs his father with a scissor. Despite his crime, he is not locked up with the dark-skinned criminals in prison. He is, instead, locked up in the courthouse basement. The sheriff thinks it will be a harsh treatment if he is imprisoned with the black people. You can notice the difference in the justice system as Boo, a white teen, receives a prejudicial treatment even after confessing his crime. On the other hand, innocent Tom faces ill-treatment because of his dark skin. This incident shows how prejudice discriminates people, and how people in authority lose the sense of justice and decision-making process.

Incident – 4

The fourth significant incident of racism involves verbal abuse when Mrs. Dubose confronts Jem and Scout. When they pass by Mrs. Dubose’s house, she yells at them and expresses her hatred because of their father’s action of defending Tom. Also, because Tom is black and Atticus is white, she along with many other people from the society disapproved Atticus’s choice. Jem gets furious at these remarks, and in response, he destroys Mrs. Dubose’s Camellia bush. This incident shows the negative attitude of Maycomb people toward Atticus, who loses his esteemed position after believing in Tom and deciding to defend him.

Incident -5

The fifth important incident of racism involves a description of black people’s love life often called Nigger-love, a term prevalent at that time. Scout’s inquiry about this term foreshadows the treatment of African-Americans in Maycomb society. Atticus’s explanation of the term in a positive way is remarkable. He explains that people who hate black people use foul words and offend each other. Atticus restores Scout’s confidence, explaining to her that she is above all the negative things she hears. This incident shows that in the racist society of Maycomb, people like Atticus, dare to uphold the slogans of equality , justice, and fair treatment.

Incident -6

Another incident of racism involves the negative treatment experienced by Jem and Scout in a church. One day, Calpurnia, their caretaker, takes them to her church where they face social hostility and prejudice. On seeing them, a black woman expresses her anger saying whites have their own church. Jem and Scout appear as enemies of the blacks at that very moment because of their white skin. This hatred is caused because of the way the dominant white people treated the black community during that period. This incident shows how people have become hostile in their attitudes, even towards children, they even cannot stand together in their worship places.

Incident -7

This incident of racism involves Atticus and the angry mob. Throughout the novel, Atticus tries to prove Tom’s innocence in the eyes of court but fails. One day, the society of Maycomb stands together outside the jail to punish Tom but Atticus, as always, tries to protect him. The lynch mob threatens him and his children, however, Atticus does not give up. At this, Scout jumps into the situation and turns the angry people back with an impressive response. This event also signifies the racist mentality of the people of that time.

Incident -8

Another unusual incident involves the description of a mixed-child. In a racist society like Maycomb, even a mixed-child faces the same treatment as the black people. Despite having one white parent, they receive the same biased treatment like blacks because even a single drop of other ethnic blood makes them all black. Jem also explains that the lines of strict division in racism are less active in North but in South the mixed-race is considered trash. This incident displays Jem as matured teen, Jem and also explains the treatment shown towards the mixed-race people.

Incident -9

One more incident involves Atticus and Tom’s defense in the courtroom. In chapter 23, Atticus says to the court that Mayella Ewell is taking advantage of her white privilege by accusing an innocent man, Tom. She does not provide any proof of her innocence to the court yet Tom becomes a victim of the crime he did not commit. He proposes that decisions of the court should be free from discrimination because the court is a place where justice exercises supremacy regardless of color, caste, or creed. This incident shows that even the judicial system in Maycomb is not free from racism.

Incident -10

Another incident of racism includes Atticus and his understanding of the judicial system after Tom’s trial. He strives to win justice for Tom but fails. His decision of defending Tom proves a revolt against society. Throughout the novel, he keeps on transferring positive values to his children. However, when the court system proves biased, he admits that in prejudicial societies white man words have credence and black man’s words are unreliable. This incident proves that no matter how honest, truthful and committed you are, and you cannot go against the accepted social norms.

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Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Prejudice is a central theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel explores the effects of prejudice on both an individual and societal level.

On an individual level, prejudice is seen in the characters of Scout and Jem Finch. Both children are initially prejudiced against Boo Radley, a reclusive neighbour who they believe to be a dangerous monster. However, their views change once they get to know him and come to understand that he is not dangerous at all. Their father, Atticus Finch, also teaches them not to judge people based on their appearance or reputation, but to instead look at them for who they really are.

On a societal level, prejudice is evident in the way that African Americans are treated in the town of Maycomb. African Americans are segregated from whites and are not seen as equal to them. This is most evident in the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American man who is accused of raping a white woman. Even though it is clear that he is innocent, he is still found guilty by the all-white jury and is ultimately killed.

Prejudice is a complex issue that can have both positive and negative effects on individuals and society as a whole. To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the importance of understanding and accepting people for who they are, regardless of their appearance or background.

Everyone develops first impressions of others, but if you let these early thoughts determine your conclusion about someone’s character, it becomes the beginnings of the unfavorable trait known as prejudice. In Harper Lee’s story, To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout—a young girl—grows up in Maycomb, Alabama; a small town that discriminates against many.

Prejudice is defined as “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Prejudice can be based on many different characteristics including race, gender, age, religion, and social status. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters experience all different types of prejudice.

One example of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird is when Scout and her brother Jem are attacked by Bob Ewell. Mr. Ewell is angry because Atticus Finch defended Tom Robinson, a black man who was accused of rape. Even though Tom Robinson was innocent, Mr. Ewell blames Atticus and his family for what happened to him.

Harper Lee shows how destructive prejudice can be when it leads to violence, like in the case of the Ewell family. However, To Kill a Mockingbird also demonstrates that there is hope for change. Attorney Atticus Finch is one example of someone who breaks down barriers caused by prejudice. Atticus is a white man living in the racially divided town of Maycomb, but he treats everyone with respect regardless of their skin color. He does not believe that one race is better than another, and he teaches this valuable lesson to his children Scout and Jem.

Near the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus says, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee 274).

Atticus’s definition of true courage demonstrates how much he has changed over the course of the novel. At the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus was reluctant to defend Tom Robinson because he knew that it would be an uphill battle. Even though he knew he would be met with opposition, Atticus still took on Tom’s case because he believed in doing what was right.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is an important novel about the dangers of prejudice and the power of courage. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, readers gain a new perspective on the world and learn that everyone deserves to be treated fairly. To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that continues to teach valuable lessons about empathy and understanding.

In Maycomb, people often gossip about others and these rumors are usually embellished versions of the truth. Harper Lee demonstrates that discrimination can come from someone’s physical appearance as well as from outside influences.

The town’s people are small-minded and judgmental, so they create stereotypes to feel better about themselves. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in the 1930’s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The town is segregated into white and black communities with very little interaction between the two. There are three main types of prejudice that are portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird: racial, gender, and social class.

Racial prejudice is evident from the beginning of the novel when Atticus Finch is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a white girl. Atticus knows that he will not be able to win the case because of the racial prejudice that exists in Maycomb. He tells Scout, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Lee 112).

Atticus is aware of the racism in his town, but he does not let it stop him from doing what he knows is right. The racial prejudice against blacks is also seen when a mob comes to lynch Tom Robinson and Atticus has to talk them out of it. Bob Ewell, the father of the girl who accused Tom of raping her, is angry that Atticus was able to get Tom off on a technicality. He threatens Atticus and his family, but Atticus is not afraid of him.

Gender prejudice is also present in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout is a tomboy who does not like to wear dresses or do other “girly” things. She is constantly getting into fights with boys and she does not understand why she cannot do the things that they can do. She says, “I just don’t see why I have to act like a girl… It’s not fair” (Lee 33).

Scout does not understand why she is not treated the same as the boys and she resents the fact that she has to behave differently just because she is a girl. The gender prejudice against women is also seen in Atticus’s relationship with his wife, Scout’s mother. Atticus is very disrespectful of his wife and he often criticizes her in front of the children. He says, “Your mother’s not quite herself today… She’s got a touch of the flu” (Lee 12). Atticus is clearly not very fond of his wife and he does not think highly of women in general.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Racial Discrimination — Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird: An Exploration of Prejudice and Injustice

Racism in to Kill a Mockingbird: an Exploration of Prejudice and Injustice

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Published: Mar 6, 2024

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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay on Prejudice

In today’s society men, women and children experience prejudice in their lives, either as victims themselves or being guilty of using prejudice towards others due to differences between them. Prejudice is a preconception of a person based on stereotypes without real facts and discrimination based on gender, age and skin colour. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee isolates characters and depicts ways prejudice is used. She also demonstrates the evils of prejudice and the negative consequences that lie in the city of Maycomb. By taking the reader, step by step, through various real life situations, and analyzing the impact of prejudice on people’s lives, she manages to go to the root of the problem in attempting to eliminate prejudice.

In To Kill a mockingbird , Lee depicts the ways of how prejudice is demonstrated based on discrimination by gender, age and skin colour. These different types of prejudice are illustrated in the book and show how awful it is to judge others on these grounds.

All men and women are created equal and have the same rights. Prejudice against gender lurks in the city of Maycomb. Mrs. Maudie experiences this unfairness in the novel due to the fact that she is a woman. “Miss Maudie can’t be on a jury because she’s a woman” (Lee 221) is a fact that cannot be contradicted in Maycomb County. The prejudice is against women. Townsmen think that women are frail and emotional so they will not be able to witness such intense trials. It takes a man to be on a jury, is a common belief by most of the townspeople. This belief should be eliminated because this is not true at all! If a woman wants to be on a jury and meets all the qualifications required then she deserves a spot in the jury box and let her be there. Some women are less emotional than men and women do offer valuable insights and views about people. Men and women should have equal opportunities and should have the same rights.

It is not only adult that commit prejudice. Harper Lee shows us that children at a young age can also innocently follow the footsteps of the wicked, make poor judgements and stereotype others. Dill, Scout and Jem all assume that Boo is crazy and that he eats squirrels based on the fact that he doesn’t come out of his house. “When people’s azaleas froze it was because he had breathed on them” (Lee 9) is an example of a stereotype towards Boo by the kids. Another example is illustrated by the absurd ideas conjured by the children about Boo Radley. They believed that Boo attacked his father. “Boo drove the scissors into his parent’s leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities.” (Lee 11). The novel illustrates that it is wrong to prejudge people in this way even if it is children who are discriminating others. In the end, after prejudice is unveiled, Boo Radley is portrayed as a silent hero.

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Discriminating people due to their race is another type of prejudice that is demonstrated in the book To Kill a Mockingbird . Tom Robinson, a black man, is stereotyped and put down by some of the townspeople who see coloured people as weak and useless humans. However the reader knows that it is wrong to treat people like that and the reader feels pity for Tom. This pity cannot be felt by the creators of prejudice unless they change their real values and beliefs. “Guilty…guilty...guilty…guilty...guilty…” (Lee 211) is a quote that depicts how Tom is being discriminated. It is quite obvious that Tom is innocent but due to the racism and hatred towards black he was convicted nonetheless. This act is engraved in the reader’s mind throughout the entire book, this injustice infuriates the mind and this lingers throughout the novel and truly shows the prejudice that exists in this corrupted town.

Causes of prejudice are all based on the differences of humans whether it’s on gender, age and skin colour. Lee has demonstrated how prejudice is used and how an innocent person’s life can be changed due to evil assumptions made on that person.

Prejudice leads to many consequences. In the book To   Kill a Mockingbird  Harper Lee shows us how the evils of prejudice impact on the lives of innocent people such as Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson.

Atticus Finch, the most famous lawyer in Maycomb County, is a highly respected and honoured individual in the community who becomes a victim of prejudice. Atticus, a white man is defending Tom Robinson, a black man. This is quite peculiar because in Maycomb County, blacks and whites are separated and whites usually despise colored folks. Atticus suffers many vigorous consequences by some of the townspeople. “Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life.” (Lee 217) Mr. Ewell spat in Atticus’ face, a disgusting and offensive thing to do. In the reader’s mind one thinks of what a cruel demeaning act this is. Why do such a thing just because a white man is defending a black man for a good cause? There is no point of behaving that way. Not only did Mr. Ewell spit on Atticus’ face but he claimed he will seek revenge as long as he lives.

As the residents of Maycomb were informed of how Atticus was dedicated in freeing Tom Robinson, they lost respect for him and started bad mouthing him and calling him a “nigger lover”. A simple act of prejudice like that can have such an impact on people. The penalty that Atticus suffered for this great courageous act of kindness, emanating from the bottom of his heart, resulted in a fierce act of hatred from ignorant residents in the County. Atticus was a very strong ambassador of peace and justice, stood on his ground, retained his faith in equality for all and didn’t let any of the bad gossips going around town affect him in any way.

“Tom’s dead...seventeen bullet holes in him.” (Lee 235) An innocent man is killed, seventeen bullet holes…what an outrage! The worst possible outcome of prejudice, DEATH! The most severe ultimate consequence of prejudice, that no man should expect to succumb to, one that should not occur but unfortunately did! The reader knows that Tom is innocent and his unfair futile death touches everyone to the very bottom of the heart. There is no reason for lives to be lost so innocently due to prejudice. Lee convinces the reader to fully dedicate oneself to strive against this injustice and eliminate it from the face of earth.

Prejudice can have deadly consequences and people’s lives can be profoundly changed because of it as it was for the families of Atticus Finch and for Tom Robinson.

Harper Lee wrote the book To Kill a Mockingbird  in a way that exposes readers to all kinds of prejudice, and then she leads them to the root of the problem and teaches them how prejudice is eliminated in the small town of Maycomb County.

Atticus is a lawyer and he is the main character in the novel who is trying to eliminate prejudice. “The assumption – the evil assumption – that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber.” (Lee 204) This saying was firmly articulated by Atticus to all the jury during the trial. The reader already knows that the jury is in favour of white people who in this case would be the Ewells. What Atticus is trying to do is to convince the jury that all men are created equal and that they should not discriminate against people who are different. In other words Atticus is doing his best in eliminating the prejudice that lies in the hearts of the members of the jury.

Miss Maudie is another character in the novel who believes in equality. “I have no reason with court this morning”(Lee 159) would be a saying that people would say if they indeed knew that the trial was unfair and that they were disgusted from all the prejudice. The reader now ponders that more and more characters are being freed from the evils of prejudice and that the residents have begun to understand the wrongfulness of prejudice. This is a sign to the reader that more characters are eventually going to switch over to the good side and that is exactly what happens.

Jem and Scout are both children with developing minds and we cannot give them 100% guilt for being a little prejudice towards others especially when they are living in a prejudice country. Nevertheless the children also manage to overcome prejudice. “We never put back into the tree what we took out of it; we had given him nothing, and it made me sad.” (Lee 278) The children realized the wrongfulness of assuming that Boo Radley was crazy. Scout now realizes that Boo is a human just like anyone else and should be treated equally. “It is a sin to kill a mockingbird” is a lesson that Scout has learned from her dad. She realized that Boo was represented by a mockingbird and she was the so called hunter. Now Scout has grown up and matured and she followed after the footsteps of her dad and managed to get rid of the evil assumptions towards Boo Radley.

Harper Lee through the portrayal of these major characters has shown us how they realized that prejudice in Maycomb County existed and how they all managed to isolate prejudice from their lives and eliminate it in an understanding manner.

Prejudice is an evil assumption made about a person due to differences in age, gender, and race. In To Kill a Mockingbird,  Harper Lee, through the portrayal of various characters, depicts the uses, causes and negative consequences of prejudice. Lee strips the book right down to the bare wire and exposes the problems of prejudice and measures taken by the characters to eliminate the evils of prejudice.

“You’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it – whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash…don’t fool yourselves – it’s all adding up and one of these days we’re going to pay the bill for it.” (Lee 220-221).

Prejudice is atrocious and one must strive to eliminate it at all cost from the face of this world in order to achieve real freedom, justice and peace!

Document Details

• Word Count 1848
• Page Count 6
• Subject English

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101 To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Titles & Examples

If you struggle to find “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on prejudice, race, the characters’ courage, or any other issue, look no further. Our team has prepared a list of titles and essay writing tips for this book.

🏆 Best To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics & Examples

📌 most interesting to kill a mockingbird essay titles, 👍 good to kill a mockingbird research topics, ❓ to kill a mockingbird essay questions.

Before we will talk about the do’s and don’ts in essay writing, let’s clarify the types of essay.

When working on “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay thesis, you can focus on the facts of the book or concentrate on your attitude towards its key issues and characters. According to your approach, we can divide essays into two main areas:

• Objective essay: you set out your personal thoughts on a chosen issue and provide supporting arguments and evidence;
• Subjective essay: you express your point of view on a specific topic without claiming the truth and strengthening it with facts.

For example, when you choose a “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay topics on goodness, you will state that Atticus is a kind and fearless. No doubt that this character has a positive role.

On the other hand, when you describe Mayella, you will have to choose: will you condemn her or express pity.

As for the essay content, it can be divided into many subcategories:

• Philosophical essay
• Critical essay
• Literary analysis
• Historical essay, etc.

There are also a few key literary types:

• Feature article, etc.

Do’s & Don’ts When Writing To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

Now, it’s time to talk about what you should write and what to avoid in your paper. First of all, you have to remember that all “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay titles should reveal the essence of the issue.

Recommendations for essay writing:

• Do mark your essay subject at the beginning of the text. “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay hooks will help you to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to emphasize the central issue in the conclusion.
• Do support the style of presentation by your emotions, vision, and opinion. Use the “question-answer” in paragraphs. Make the transitions between paragraphs harmonious and smooth.
• Do use quotes, historical facts, and observations to argue the thesis statement, solve the main issue, and describe the key subject of the paper.
• Do stick to the central thesis of your essay. Avoid deepen into philosophical reflections — tell about concrete facts and examples. Here’s an example: don’t include the facts from the author’s biography if you focus on the events of the book and factors that affect discrimination.
• Do proofread the paper. Read carefully your essay several times and think if your readers will understand your expressions.
• Do not use specific terminology in “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay. For example, when you write about discrimination, you don’t necessarily have to provide its dictionary definition or use complex law, historical and psychological literature, and samples. Just your own language. However, it doesn’t mean that your opinion should seem ungrounded.
• Do add your emotions to the paper. Let your readers feel that you believe in your ideas when defending the essay thesis.
• Don’t choose the header before you write an essay. First, you should write an essay, and only then compile the title of your paper.

Well, now you know about the essay types, what to do, and what to avoid in your essay. Of course, you may ask: “What to write in my own essay?”

The key to success is to start. Check “To Kill a Mockingbird” essay examples on our website to get inspiration. Even the topic seems to you too complicated, start your research, and then you will be able to express new and original thoughts.

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• Racist Trial in the Novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee For the purpose, evaluation would be made in the context of utilization of events, time and culture of the book and compare it to today’s society, culture and racial attitudes.
• Racial Prejudice in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” Paul Lawrence Dunbar in his poem, “Sympathy” has vividly portrayed the pangs of a caged bird and likens it to the collective pain that colored people have felt like victims of racial prejudices.”And a pain […]
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• What It Takes to Kill a Mockingbird: In Search for the Differences Between the Novel and a Movie The characters both in the novel and in the movie were often pushed to the breaking point; however, one of such moments described in the book was left out of the movie.
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Bibliography

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To Kill a Mockingbird | The Black Box Theatre

A timeless classic, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion, and the courage to do what is right. And here to tell us all about the show is Atticus Finch himself, James Driscoll and Co-Director Savannah Bay Strandin.

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To Kill a Mockingbird | The Black Box Theatre

Posted: May 15, 2024 | Last updated: May 15, 2024

A timeless classic, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion, and the courage to do what is right. And here to tell us all about the show is Atticus Finch himself, James Driscoll and Co-Director Savannah Bay Strandin.

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Shays’ Rebellion: a Turning Point in Early American Democracy

This essay about Shays’ Rebellion provides an overview of the key events and consequences of the 1786-1787 uprising in western Massachusetts. It discusses the economic and political pressures that led to the rebellion, notably high taxes and debts that burdened the rural population, particularly war veterans like Daniel Shays. The essay outlines how the rebellion unfolded, from the closure of local courts to the failed attempt to seize the Springfield Armory, and the eventual suppression by a state militia. The aftermath, which included legislative changes to ease economic pressures, is also covered. Importantly, the essay explains the rebellion’s significant impact on the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting its role in prompting a stronger federal government capable of managing economic policy and maintaining order. This historical episode illustrates the challenges of balancing authority and liberty in a young democracy.

How it works

The newly independent states had to deal with both the immediate economic difficulties that came with peace and the difficult task of constructing a stable government during the turbulent years after the American Revolution. During this period, Shays’ Rebellion, which broke out in western Massachusetts between 1786 and 1787, was one of the more spectacular events. This was a significant event that had a lasting impact on the political and social development of the fledgling United States, not merely a local disturbance.

At the heart of the rebellion were the economic distress and the policies that seemed to favor the elite at the expense of the average farmer.

Veterans of the war, like Daniel Shays, returned home to find themselves in a financial bind, with their livelihoods threatened by debts and taxes they couldn’t pay. Massachusetts, burdened with its own war debts, levied high taxes that fell heavily on these rural farmers, many of whom faced the loss of their farms and imprisonment for debts.

Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army, became the reluctant figurehead for this uprising. He and his followers, comprising several thousand aggrieved individuals, targeted courthouses and other symbols of the oppressive government to prevent judges from foreclosing on debt-ridden farmers. The climax came in January 1787 when the rebels attempted to seize the federal Springfield Armory, a bold move that ultimately failed.

The rebellion was quelled by a state militia, but the aftermath saw a shift in policies with the passing of laws to ease the economic burden on debtors. This episode laid bare the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, particularly the lack of a strong federal authority to manage economic policy and maintain order.

The impact of Shays’ Rebellion was significant in spurring the call for a stronger central government, leading directly to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It was clear from the disorder that the country needed a new framework that could balance the needs of the states with the need for a federal authority capable of keeping peace and ensuring economic stability.

The rebellion also had a lasting effect on the Constitution itself. It influenced the debates at the Constitutional Convention, where the framers sought to create a government that could handle such crises effectively without trampling on the liberties they had just fought a war to protect. The result was a constitution that offered a more robust federal structure, complete with the ability to impose taxes and manage uprisings more effectively.

Shays’ Rebellion is often seen today as a testament to the teething problems of American democracy. It serves as a reminder of the need for a responsive government, the dangers of economic inequality, and the constant balancing act between maintaining order and upholding freedom. Reflecting on this incident helps us appreciate the delicate dance between power and liberty—a dance that continues in our political institutions to this day.

In summary, while Shays’ Rebellion may have been a failed attempt at military action, it succeeded in pushing American leaders to reconsider and strengthen the framework of their government, ensuring that the fledgling nation would not be undone by the very freedoms it aimed to uphold.

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Shays' Rebellion: A Turning Point in Early American Democracy. (2024, May 12). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/shays-rebellion-a-turning-point-in-early-american-democracy/

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). Shays' Rebellion: A Turning Point in Early American Democracy . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/shays-rebellion-a-turning-point-in-early-american-democracy/ [Accessed: 18 May. 2024]

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PapersOwl.com. (2024). Shays' Rebellion: A Turning Point in Early American Democracy . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/shays-rebellion-a-turning-point-in-early-american-democracy/ [Accessed: 18-May-2024]

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