Harper Lee: Exploring Prejudice Through Writing

prejudice.

The narrative often refers to families in generalized terms; for example, 'the Ewells started it all' and later, regarding the Cunninghams - 'the Cunninghams had no funds to hire an attorney.' Instead of referring to each family member individually, they are perceived as clans later in the tale. This frequent characterization of families establishes the groundwork for the upcoming theme of prejudice by illustrating the entrenched notions held by the Maycomb residents.

Undeniably, the situational context of African Americans in Maycomb County acts as a fundamental theme in the novel. The townsfolk's viewpoints and consciousness indirectly convey to the reader an understanding of their progressive mindset. During the timeline of this novel - the 1950s - African Americans were typically categorized as second-class citizens, possessing limited rights. Statements like 'A negro would not pass the Radley place at night' and 'Calpurnia rarely commented on the ways of white people' subtly indicate this reality. Despite Scout's lack of bias and her absence of racist attitudes, these comments subtly set up an expectation of prejudice by demonstrating the social marginalization experienced by African Americans in communities like Maycomb.

In the subsequent parts of the book, Atticus trusts Calpurnia's discerning perception of a rabid dog yet Eula May remains skeptical, as she retorts, '...Miss Eula May, but I can identify a rabid dog when I come across one!’ It's also revealed that certain members of the Finch lineage harbor racist views, dubbing Atticus a 'nigger-lover'. This foreshadows the central theme of bias in the novel. Inferior social standing of African-Americans becomes more apparent in the later stages of the narrative when Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson triggers discontent - seen

as 'disgracing the family.' The derogatory representation of black people or treating them as a separate subspecies resonates with the portrayal of the Radley lineage - An addition to the novel that primes us for further prejudices.

The retelling of the Radley myth demonstrates additional layers of bias. In comparison to Maycomb's characteristics, the Radley's residence appears stark, but judgments have been formed based on hearsay. Therefore, Scout's view is skewed because the rumors have been magnified and altered due to an incident that occurred years ago, resulting in the permanent societal alienation and disapproval of the Radleys. People have formed their opinions and are resistant to revising them. While gossip typically relies on appearances and rumors, the progressive gossip perpetrated by 'Miss Stephanie Crawford' certainly sets the stage for the prejudice theme.

The petite town of Maycomb is such that everyone is privy to one another's affairs and are often quick to pass judgment. This includes Jem and Scout, who weaponize perceived weaknesses - 'Scout, you act more like a girl!' This seemingly mild sexist slight against Scout reveals that prejudices are ingrained at a tender age, suggesting future bias in the novel. Even though Atticus will likely address this soon, it is emblematic of the looming theme of unfair and warped prejudice amidst the small, bigoted ambience. This is further juxtaposed with Atticus's intellectual stance, fostering a recurring motif of behavioral codes clashing with empathy. A case in point is Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson against the rife rumor mill of Maycomb, thereby priming readers for the additional skewed prejudices yet to come.

Throughout the narrative, Harper Lee employs Scout as a storyteller, reflecting on her

experiences as a young girl. It's fair to say Scout symbolizes a mockingbird in the novel, next to Boo Radley. In particular, Scout exhibits a candid innocence ‘Atticus, what’s a nigger-lover?’ displays an unassuming straightness in the use of racial slurs despite their controversial nature. However, even neutral use of terms like ‘nigger’ and ‘white trash’ seemingly primes readers for the upcoming theme of prejudice in the novel. The subtle hint at racism in chapter one – ‘put him in jail alongside Negroes’ replacing ‘niggers’, alongside Scout's innocence and non-judgmental perspectives prepares us from another vantage point for latent prejudiced notions.

My inference is that the introductory themes presented in the first chapter, including family dynamics, the societal standing of African Americans, coupled with Harper Lee's strategic narration through Scout's perspective, effectively lay the groundwork for addressing racism as the story unfolds. The author accomplishes this with great skill and subtlety, by utilizing the character of a well-read white girl, who has been taught by her enlightened father about the ethic that 'it is immoral to kill a mockingbird', metaphorically alluding it to pressing realities.