“The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men. It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man.” - Albert Einstein. Evil is a shadow that has a constant presence in the world. Whether evil manifests itself in society or within yourself, recognizing and acknowledging its existence allows people to confront its unwavering presence. Characters from the literary works of The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, experience the unrelenting presence of evil, as it is a prevalent theme seen throughout the books. In all three novels, the presence of evil arises in the form of society's dysfunction, where the characters must learn that there…show more content… With this phrase, Atticus is referring to the racism and prejudice that is very prominent in their town of Maycomb, Alabama and it became especially prevalent during the court case of Tom Robinson. Scout always believed that Maycomb was a great town and her naivety towards subjects such as racism and prejudice allowed her to be unaware that it was occurring around her. Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell. Atticus represents the goodness in society; Atticus does not bend to what society thinks is appropriate and this can be seen when he not only takes Tom Robinson’s case, but also when he tries to defend him to the best of his abilities. This is an uncommon case because in the 1930s, the year the novel was set in, when a white man was given a court case that involved defending a person of color, they wouldn’t even try. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 78). Atticus, taking the case and trying his best to win Tom Robinson an innocent verdict, showcased his goodness and his moral values, something many of Maycomb’s citizens don’t have when it comes to racism and seeking social…show more content… Bob Ewell makes a false accusation about how Tom Robinson beat and raped his daughter Mayella Ewell. Bob Ewell made this false claim to cover up the fact that he was the one to beat his own daughter, something that was alluded to by Atticus during the trial. By blaming Tom Robinson, a black man, who he knew did no wrong, showcases evil qualities seen in society, specifically racism and prejudice that are deeply rooted in society at the time of the book. Bob Ewell knew that even if Atticus would be able to prove Tom Robinson innocent, the jury would never believe a black man over a white man, further providing evidence of how prominent evil influences are in society.Readers witness Scout grow and mature in To Kill a Mockingbird as she increasingly becomes aware of the racism, prejudice, and injustices that surround her in Maycomb. As Tom Robinson’s trial unfolds, Scout begins to become aware of how prominent racism and prejudice are in her town, especially when the jury finds Tom guilty. “‘Atticus—’ said Jem bleakly. He turned in the doorway. ‘What, son?’ ‘How could they do it, how could they?’ ‘I don’t know, but they did
