Prejudice in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee Essay

Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, legion(predicate) different rivei priss atomic number 18 revealed. The most prominent being the racial damage between the bloodless raft and dark stack in Maycomb, aluminum during the 1930s. However, there are many more subtle and discreet prejudices against new(prenominal) mess in Maycomb, also.One of the first prejudices to proceed jazzn is against the Cunninghams. The Cunninghams are a very slimy farming family who were hit hard by the Great Depression. The Cunninghams never took any occasion they brush asidet pay back no church building baskets and no scrimp stamps. They never took anything off anybody, they get on on what they have. They dont have much, save they get along on it. lookout station explains to Miss Caroline, their first grade teacher, on knave 20. The Cunninghams were hit hardest by the Depression and because of their level of poverty the Cunninghams are discriminated against. The thing is, you can scru b Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but hell never be like Jem. Aunt Alexandra explains to Scout on page 224. Aunt Alexandra does non want Scout associating with Walter Cunningham simply because of his class. Aunt Alexandra is discriminating against the Cunninghams because they are infra the Finches on the affable strata.Probably the most prominent prejudice in the novel is the racial prejudice. Tom Robinson was a black man who was charge of raping Mayella Ewell, a white girl. When Tom was put in jail awaiting trial, Atticus, his lawyer, went protrude one night and sat outside the jailhouse. A canaille showed up that night with the intent to beat Tom Robinson but with Atticus there, the mob was stalled and eventually left. This mob was consumed with racial prejudice against the black people. Even Calpurnia, the black housekeeper for the Finches, is discriminated against.Although Calpurnia is treated fairly, it is obvious Calpurnia is co nsidered to be on a lower social level than the Finches. Calpurnia calls Scout maam and Jem sir, although these are titles usually close for elders. An example of this is on page 207. Calpurnia addresses Jem after they have been missing at the trial all day with Hush your mouth, sir When you oughta be hangin your head in shame you go along laughin. If Mr. Finch dont wear you out, I will get in that house, sirThough it seems that the blacks are the ones who are prejudice against, when Jem and Scout are taken to Calpurnias church, (their black house-keeper) the black people show hostility towards Jem and Scout. Lula, a black woman at the church confronts Calpurnia on page 119. You aint got no business bringin white chillun herethey got their church, we got ourn. Because the whites shun the blacks the blacks are prejudiced in return.Another prejudice that deals to light is the prejudice against Dolphus Raymond. Dolphus is a wealthy white man but is a victim of isolation because of his relationship with a woman who is black. When Scout meets Mr. Dolphus Raymond during the trial Scout becomes aware that Dolphus is a victim of prejudice and has become an outcast. Dolphus pretended to be a drunk so he didnt have to explain the fact that he was simply in approve with a black woman. The alcohol, Dolphus said, gave the people an excuse to say that Dolphus didnt know what he was doing.On page 200, Dolphus says to Dill and Scout When I come to this town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folk can say Dolphus Raymonds in the clutches of whiskythats why he wont change his ways. He cant help himself, thats why he lives like he does. The people of Maycomb are intolerant of the way Dolphus chooses to live. Dolphus is discriminated against because he lives his life with a black woman. This is thought to be wrong in society in Maycomb.Yet another prejudice in Maycomb was that against Arthur Radley. Arthur Radley could see the segregation of t he people of Maycomb and the prejudice. Therefore Arthur isolated himself Arthur didnt want to be a part of Maycombs intolerance. By doing this Arthur became one of the outsiders and was still a victim of the prejudice, as Arthur was different. There were wild rumors circulating the town and the children made up stories and games about(predicate) Arthur. Because he was virtually unknown, Arthur Radley was discriminated against.The theme of prejudice is explored many ways passim the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The different kinds of prejudice explore how thickheaded peoples hatred of each other can go. It gives the lector good insight as to what makes people intolerant and why people shouldnt be prejudiced just because others are different. From discriminating against the poor to racial prejudice to silly rumors fueling intolerance, very few receive that everyone is different but also equal.