To Kill a Mockingbird: A Society of Prejudice

With the Great Depression hitting America hard, Scout and Jem Finch meet with their friend Dill to begin their summer adventures. Atticus Finch, their father, is a lawyer in Maycomb, but he is not very successful because his clients are poor. The kids discover their mysterious next-door neighbor Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, who is both fascinating and secretive. Soon after, the kids begin to receive anonymous gifts from Boo, but they have no idea whom they received them. Several weeks later, Tom Robinson is accused of rape by Bob and Mayella Ewell, and Atticus is appointed to defend him in court, but with the everlasting racism in Maycomb, the trial will not be fair. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee conveys the theme that when preconceived notions cause harm to the innocent, some people still do what is right through the characters of Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch.

Firstly, Lee uses the character of Boo Radley to demonstrate the preconceived notions we have of others before we understand their situations. In chapter 3, Atticus says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). Scout describes how we do not understand somebody’s situation until we see it from their perspective. We see the character of Boo Radley, who is accused of a series of crimes, including stalking and kidnapping small children. When Boo, on the other hand, is simply shy and dislikes drawing attention to himself. People are often too quick to pass judgment on others before they understand their situation and see things from their point of view.

Next, Lee introduces the idea of harming those who do not harm us through the character of Tom Robinson. Lee writes, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 90). The mockingbird is portrayed as a harmless bird that does nothing except sing music for humans to enjoy. Lee depicts Tom Robinson as a harmless mockingbird who was convicted and killed due to the mistakes of Mayella Ewell. When people cannot face the responsibility and consequences of their actions, they often blame others.

Finally, Lee presents the character of Atticus Finch to emphasize that we should do the right thing regardless of what others think. 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 is when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway, and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 149). Atticus is explaining his case with Tom Robinson, where he knew they had already lost Tom’s case before it ever began due to the racism in Maycomb, but he did the right thing and tried his best, regardless. Atticus believes that even when the odds are against you, it is better to do the right thing because it makes you a better person. Society frequently disregards these viewpoints and does things for their benefit even though it is not the right thing to do.

Through the characters of Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee conveys the theme that when preconceived notions harm the innocent, some people still do the right thing. With the heat of the trial of Tom Robinson beginning, the entire town of Maycomb is under fire. Atticus brings a solid defense to court and fights against the racist Jury. Despite Atticus’s efforts, Tom loses the case, but it proves to be a small step in resolving the prejudice within the town. Tom Robinson is killed a few weeks later while trying to escape prison, and Bob Ewell holds a grudge against Atticus for embarrassing him in court. On the night of Halloween, Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout with the intent to kill them. Ewell injuries Jem, leaving Scout to defend herself before Boo Radley suddenly begins to attack Bob. Boo kills Bob before he brings Jem to safety. The town is relieved of Bob Ewell’s death, and it is declared that Ewell killed himself to defend Boo from unwanted attention.