Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 986
Pages: 4
Open Document
Social justice is imperative in all societies; it involves the action of setting a system of laws established by the society in order to promote equality and justice. Although the laws are established by societies they do not always promote justice but rather implement segregation and abuse towards certain races. Social injustice and discrimination is highly prevalent in the respective texts “to kill a mockingbird” by harper lee and the “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King, and in Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s “time is running out” poem. King also said “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”, humanity is one family and all mankind is equal and light skin is not superior to the dark skin nor is dark skin superior to the light …show more content…
This gap in education was elucidated through the use of informal register evident when Calpurnia states “Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny…” displaying incorrect use of grammatical language and incorrect grammatical syntax, further commenting on the proximity of the gap between any common white man’s education and that of a white man. This gap in education was highly prevalent during this era and only affected communities negatively, in relation to the text Calpurnia was in fact undereducated and this affected her job capabilities leaving her to be simply a maid. We notice a similarity in “ time is running out” by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, when she states “come gentle black man/show your strength” through the structure of her verses, and her continuous use of independent clauses makes obvious the gap she has in her education, and the impact this has on someone limits their communication and job …show more content…
The idea of discrimination due to race is reinforced through the courthouse. Considering where the people are permitted to seat demonstrates the social injustice within the social hierarchy, the whites being seated in the common area whereas the Negroes are to be seated in the ‘colored balcony’ this is shown when Mr. Underwood States “They’re right up yonder in the colored balcony”. In the text it was made clear that the children were sitting in the colored balcony among the Africans, this was looked down upon in society as Jem and Scout were both white children. A similar situation is described by King when he states “we cannot be satisfied as long as or children are stripped of their self-hood and robed of their dignity by signs stating ‘whites only’”. This emphasizes on the exposed situation of segregation within the community and he implicates the negative effects this eventually has on a child’s esteem and
Show More

Related Documents: Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Examples Of Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

as a puppet are examples of being oppressed. Injustice can be the result of people's words, taking the property and rights of weak people and giving false testimony in pursuit of personal interests. The novels could very well be based on real facts of the way that black people were treated in the past. America was home to one of the greatest atrocities committed on mankind. In 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup describes the harsh realities of injustice and the fact that black community sacrificed…

Words 1050 - Pages 5

To Kill A Mockingbird Social Injustice Essay

The theme of social injustice is central to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and the lessons the novel teaches about compassion and understanding are still relevant today. Harper Lee used the setting of a small town in rural Alabama in the 1930’s as a backdrop to explore several different forms of social injustice, among them racial prejudice and social ostracism. Racial prejudice was best illustrated through the character of Tom Robinson, a black man who was on trial for the rape of a white woman…

Words 654 - Pages 3

To Kill A Mockingbird Social Injustice Analysis

Injustice to One is Injustice to All In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, an array of prejudice and misinterpretations create several social justice issues that affects many Maycomb citizens in the 1930s. Jem and Scout Finch are two very adventurous children who spend their childhood witnessing the realistic severity of inequality. Gradually, the Finch children begin to understand the importance of acceptance and compassion. However, Boo Radley, the mysterious neighbour, is a victim of rumours…

Words 1145 - Pages 5

Theme Of Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

people associated with black people in the historical fiction book To Kill a Mockingbird face Social Injustice caused by a majority seeing them as lesser than them. The novel revolves around a major court case in the small Southern town of Maycomb, seen through the eyes of a young girl called Scout. Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer and the father of Scout, has to defend a black man over the accusation of rape. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout meets Mr. Raymond, a white man who married a black woman, outside…

Words 994 - Pages 4

Examples Of Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Social injustice in To Kill A Mockingbird “Striving for social justice is the most valuable thing to do in life”- Albert Einstein. In the compelling book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee address a big problem in our society, social injustice. The book was written in scout's view, a little girl who witnessed a life changing trial against a black man. Her father the defendant's attorney set up a great case but due to the social injustice in that town the defendant was found guilty. Tom Robinson’s…

Words 293 - Pages 2

How Does Harper Lee Use Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee it is set in the 1930’s, in a time period where social inequalities are presented in United States; an era where the social injustices portrayed are based upon the standards of one's personal perspective and popular opinion. Harper Lee writes this novel through dramatic and sad conflicts in an old town known as Maycomb. Characters such as Dolphus Raymond who is an outcast in society, Aunt Alexandra who judges within her own race, and Tom Robinson whose…

Words 776 - Pages 4

To Kill A Mockingbird Persuasive Essay

system as shown in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. We can also argue that the social issues portrayed in “To Kill a Mockingbird” continue to exert a profound influence on modern day racism,…

Words 568 - Pages 3

Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

views society perceives as being the normalization; however, that has not always been the case. When reading, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is easy to decipher just how much society in the 1930s differs from that of today’s, which is why it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature. Through Harper Lee’s work of literature, it is apparent that she conveys the theme that injustices are experienced by those thought to be different and that there is a potent inequality present amongst the characters…

Words 1056 - Pages 5

How To Kill A Mockingbird Injustice

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” said Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice is an important theme that occurs during the book To Kill A Mockingbird. It is defined as violation of the rights of others; unjust or unfair action or treatment. All throughout history there has always been injustice, but there are three ideas that stood out in the book. Injustice was clearly displayed throughout this period to people of different color, Boo Radley, and the different social classes. Racism…

Words 608 - Pages 3

Atticus Injustice

activist, said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” His quote shows that injustice affects anyone and everyone, and demonstrates the importance of a collective effort against social and racial injustice. The book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, shows the fight between Atticus Finch and Maycomb County for racial and social equality. Atticus…

Words 865 - Pages 4