TKAM ESSAY

Submitted By zachsauer31
Words: 1050
Pages: 5
Open Document
Zachary Robert Sauer
Mrs. Nimmo/Mr. Cummings
ENG2D
22 April 2014
To Kill a Mockingbird

We will never be able to measure the full effects that prejudice has on society. Realistically, it is very difficult for people to admit where they have gone wrong. Most people judge others daily by how they dress, talk, and look, most of the time without knowing it. Prejudice has an immense impact on who it is directed at; and yes, it is possible for prejudice to be lessened, but it will never be eliminated. In To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee illustrates the prejudice found in a small Alabamian town through the subjects of social classes, gender, and race.

The first type of prejudice is social prejudice, which is a form of discrimination based solely on an individual’s social status. The townspeople are more respected and are considered to be of a higher social class due to their occupations and wealth. The book focuses on two farming families, the Cunningham’s and the Ewell’s, but the Cunningham’s claim a higher social status because the Ewell’s are known as "trash." Their family lacks manners and regard for society's rules and morals. During this time period, even the children were not allowed to play with children of a different class. Aunt Alexandra explains this matter to Scout when she says, "I'll tell you why, because--he--is--trash, that's why you can't play with him." (225) The black community is considered to be the lowest social class. If you had black skin during this time you were automatically placed at the bottom of the class chain. “Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers. I denied it, but told Jem.” (97) Blacks were considered dirty and unsanitary, therefore people didn’t want them in their homes or to be associated with them in any way. Social prejudice is immoral because of the fact that people shouldn’t be judged on their income or employment, instead they should be looked at for the type of person that they are or for their contribution to their communities.

A second type of prejudice found in To Kill a Mockingbird is a type that discriminates against an individual’s gender. A common rule directed towards women in the early1900’s was that they were excluded from voting and from being members of the jury. Many people claimed that women could not handle various situations because they were considered to be too weak to hear details about a case and then, form an accurate verdict. On page 221, Atticus explains why women were generally left out of court cases, “I guess it’s like that to protect our frail ladies from sordid cases like Tom’s. Besides, I doubt if we’d ever get a complete case […] the ladies would be interrupting to ask questions.” (221) A second example of prejudice found in the novel is the certain criteria or image that women must achieve, many refer to it as "acting like a lady." Scout is made aware of this when her Aunt Alexandra tells her that she must “behave ladylike,”(310) and wear a dress instead of the clothes she normally chooses to wear which resemble those of a boy, this makes Scout feel uncomfortable and adds to her already present distaste of her Aunt. Other qualities that Scout has that resemble those of a boy is that she has a tendency to fight and cuss. She is told to stop this and begin to act like a lady. It's unfortunate that women had to meet certain expectations other than expressing who they are as an individual.

The last type of prejudice found in the novel is racial prejudice; which is a form of discrimination based on the color of a person’s skin. A basic example of this is when Tom Robinson is convicted of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom was convicted because his word, as a black man, was not considered as important or truthful if it was up against that of a white man. Tom was innocent and never should have been accused of the crime, but because the white race was superior to that of the
Show More

Related Documents: TKAM ESSAY

TKAM Essay

Destiny Eshe’ Stallworth September 26th, 2014 TKAM Essay Eighth Grade Sophia Mrs. Scullin Discuss Atticus’s parenting style. What is his relationship to his children like? How does he seek to instill conscience in them? To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is the coming­of­age novel of a young Southern girl named Jean­Louise “Scout” Finch during the controversial yet fictitious Robinson vs.Ewell trial. The story is set in the early 1930s in Maycomb County, Alabama, with her older brother…

Words 1803 - Pages 8

TKAM Essay

Have you ever felt so different, or so out of place that you decided to change what you thought was true and just to try and fit in? Sometimes that's the only option right? Surrender your beliefs at the will of the majority. Give up the things that makes you unique, and assimilate into the crowd. Maybe it's just that you don't want to stand out; you just want to be a part of society shielded from judgement and ridicule. Everyone is faced with these decisions numerous times a day. Most are miniscule…

Words 875 - Pages 4

TKAM essay

Hassan 1 Suha Hassan Mrs. Van Wely ENG 1D May 05 2015 Definition Of A Mockingbird As Voltaire once said “It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.” . The fascinating story To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in a sleepy, southern county of Maycomb in the 1930’s. There are people who live in Maycomb who can be considered unfair and possibly evil in the eyes of some, but are just acting as they were taught by society. Throughout the novel there…

Words 1049 - Pages 5

TKAM Essay

“To Kill a Mockingbird” In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee it incorporates a slew of symbols and symbolism. An example of that is the mockingbird which is most talked about and is highly focused on. That it is an example of innocence and it doesn't do anyone any harm but it is rather there for enjoyment. But another symbol to consider would be the mad dog presented in chapter 10. Tim Johnson was his name, he was not always rabid, instead loved and cared for, the town pet. He was…

Words 636 - Pages 3

Tkam Essay

Madeleine Lee ENG 2D1 Ms. Roe 9 January, 2014 To Kill A Mockingbird Summative Essay: What is Courage? “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyways and follow through no matter what” (Lee 149). Atticus Finch spoke these words explaining to his nine year old son, Jem, what courage means. There are many courageous gestures performed throughout the novel. Gestures such as Jean-Louise Finch standing up to a gang of townspeople and Tom Robinson attempting to escape from…

Words 1340 - Pages 6

TKAM essay

Kelsey Howard English­ 5th 4/16/15 To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Standing up for people is an important part of life. Sometimes we don’t stand up for people enough, and then other times we do a good job standing up for others. Standing up for people is a good example of conviction. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus shows conviction by defending Tom Robinson in his court case which was if he raped a white woman or not. Stand up for what you believe in even if its you against a crowd…

Words 476 - Pages 2

TKAM Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay – DEON To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is an amazing novel, which explores many themes, but mainly the theme of social inequity and the fear of the black population. It is set in the town of Maycomb in the 1930’s. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee shows the attitudes, values and fears of the people of Maycomb through her use of the setting and by characterisation. Harper Lee goes into detail with a lot of the different family members of Maycomb, and tells us which…

Words 1575 - Pages 7

TKAM ESSAY

Kyle Gangi Bonobos Parent Influence their Children If cruel adults harm innocent children, the children might do the same in their adulthood. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930’s during the Great Depression. Cruelty in Maycomb is a huge theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. Parents have a huge obligation to raise their children as respectable and moral people. Some parents like Atticus teach their children to be moral and ethical. However, Bob Ewell is a…

Words 623 - Pages 3

Tkam Research Essay

Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s Poetic Style Analysis To declare that Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poetry was inspired by the death of his closest friend, Arthur Hallam, is naught but an understatement! The passing of Arthur Hallam so deeply shook the entire being of Lord Tennyson that Lord Tennyson dedicated 10 years of his life to writing hundreds of grief-filled, melancholy poems for Hallam. Such poems written in Lord Tennyson’s darkest times include “Ulysses”, “Break, Break, Break”, and “Tears”. All three…

Words 1741 - Pages 7

TKAM Vocab Essay

To Kill a Mocking Bird Vocabulary Chapter 1 Assuaged - make an unpleasant feeling less intense Apothecary - a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs. 
 Taciturn - reserved or uncommunicative in speech Impudent - not showing due respect for another person Malevolent - having or showing a wish to do evil to others Predilection - a preference or special liking for something Chapter 2 Seceded - withdraw formally from membership in a federal union, an alliance…

Words 998 - Pages 4