Tom Robinson Discrimination

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In the mid-1900s, society often poorly judged and discriminated against others who they viewed as “different”. Harper Lee addresses this kind of thinking, that continues on today, in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book, Lee establishes a major theme. That theme connects to the judgment of Arthur Radley as well as the discrimination against Tom Robinson. Not only does the novel’s theme connect to the presence of judgment within society, but also connects to a motive to prevent that kind of thinking. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee establishes that in order to fully understand a person, you must take his or her perspective into full consideration. At the beginning of the book, Lee introduces Arthur Radley, a mysterious …show more content…
To start, Maycomb citizens discriminate against Tom Robinson through insults and jumping to conclusions, which is seen as “Maycomb’s usual disease” of racism (117). This shows that the townsfolk do not consider Tom Robinson’s viewpoint as they assume Tom committed a crime just because of his skin color. To continue on, even the jury ignores the evidence Atticus provides as they base their verdict off of “a white man’s word against a black man’s” word (295). By disregarding Tom Robinson’s point of view and the evidence, the jury rules in favor of Mayella because of skin color. On the other side, Atticus Finch, understanding Tom Robinson’s perspective, defends Tom Robinson because it is the right thing to do. Even though the odds are against Tom Robinson, Atticus understands that there is “no reason for not to try and win” the court case (101). When considering Tom’s viewpoint, it is clear that he is innocent and the only reason why he is in court is because of his skin color.
Throughout the novel, Harper Lee shows that the best way to fully understand someone to put yourself in his or her shoes. Arthur Radley and Tom Robinson are both examples of when society has ignored viewpoints because of being “different”. When considering their viewpoints, however, their personality and motives are clear. Although To Kill A Mockingbird was written in the 1900s, it holds a meaning and theme that are important and must be followed in today’s
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