To Kill a Mockingbird’, prejudice and discrimination Essay Example

thin leathery man with colorless eyes, so devoid of color that they did not reflect light. His cheekbones were sharp and his mouth was wide, with a thin upper lip and full lower lip.'

As time passes, Jem and Scout come to realize that Boo is not what they initially imagined. Boo displays acts of kindness towards them. For example, when Scout is watching Miss Maudie's house burn down, Boo covers her with a blanket. Another instance is when Jem tears his pants on the Radley fence and later finds them repaired. The entire novel revolves around dismantling prejudice through understanding others. Although the children understand Tom Robinson's innocence, their community remains biased. Despite clear evidence proving Mayella lied about being raped, Tom Robinson unjustly receives a conviction for a crime he could not have committed.

Judge Taylor endeavors to ensure that Tom Robinson receives a fair trial by assigning Atticus as his defender. Atticus displays remarkable courage in undertaking this task, driven by his deep conviction in the equality of all individuals. In a similar vein, Miss Maudie holds a contrasting perspective on the trial compared to the majority of Maycomb's inhabitants. Despite being aware of the inevitable guilty verdict, she believes that the outcome of the Tom Robinson case was unjust. Miss Maudie imparts to the children that although a mere incremental progress has been made in the pursuit of justice, it aligns with the overarching theme of the novel, which centers around dismantling prejudices and fostering empathy towards others.

In terms of understanding individuals, Atticus can comprehend why Mayella fabricated the entire narrative, despite his disdain for her and her father's actions. Conversely, Miss Crawford

contrasts with Miss Maudie as she shares the prevalent prejudiced sentiments in Maycomb. In a similar vein, Aunt Alexandra also harbors biased viewpoints like Miss Crawford. Aunt Alexandra indulges in racial and sexual stereotypes, even going as far as requesting Calpurnia's removal, to which Atticus objects. In contrast, Atticus holds Calpurnia in high regard and appreciates her worth, while to Aunt Alexandra, Calpurnia is merely a Negro. Mrs. Dubose, residing nearby the Finch family, unnerves the children through her cruel comments.

One day, Jem becomes so angry that he destroys Mrs. Dubose's camellias, which greatly upsets Atticus. As a consequence, Jem is tasked with reading to Mrs. Dubose for a month, accompanied by Scout. Throughout this time, the duration of their reading sessions gradually increases. Initially, the children hold a negative opinion of Mrs. Dubose. However, they come to empathize with her after putting themselves in her shoes. Reflecting on their previous disdain, Scout admits, "Jem and I hated her." Unbeknownst to them, Mrs. Dubose has an addiction to morphine. By reading to her consistently, the children inadvertently assist her in overcoming her addiction. When Mrs. Dubose passes away, Atticus enlightens Jem and Scout about the significant role they played in aiding her. He describes Mrs. Dubose as the most courageous woman he has ever known.