America’s Racist Society Exposed in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

During the Great Depression, racism was a common practice in the southern states of the US. Negros and those who opposed the intolerance were often discriminated by the rest of the bias and ignorant society, who believed in white supremacy and superiority over the other races. Maycomb, a racist town, exemplify this discrimination, imperiously judging others they view as being dissimilar from themselves. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author, weaves a brilliant story of prejudice, discrimination, and racism shown through the novel’s several characters and events, producing a mirror reflection of America’s racist society in the 1930’s.

Mrs. Lafayette Dubose, a timeworn morphine addict, is one of the several characters who believe in white citizens’ superiority to the blacks living in the Quarters. She is presented as a criticizing woman who, “kept a CSA pistol concealed among her numerous shawls and wraps” (Lee 132). Upon introduction, Mrs. Dubose is portrayed as a supporter of the CSA through her ownership of a Confederate pistol. During the American Civil War, the CSA were strong believers of white supremacy and lawful slavery. This shows that she is a dedicated supremacist. By depicting Dubose as a devotee of the CSA and black suppression, readers understand her beliefs are discriminatory and reflect Maycomb’s racist culture. In another instance, as she speaks to Jem, she fires discriminatory criticism at Atticus and the children, declaring to Jem, “Your father’s no better than the Niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 135). This indicates that those who had opposing beliefs to the common society were also looked down at as inferiors. Dubose’s claim clarifies why so many townspeople judge Atticus, ca...

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...perpetual loss of pureness.

Racism is pervasive throughout the town of Maycomb, Alabama, with nearly the entire population practicing the injustice. These racist acts are apparent in To Kill a Mockingbird through the characters of Bob Ewell and Mrs. Dubose, as well as the jury for Tom Robinson’s case. They dehumanize the blacks arrogantly and ignorantly, believing they are superior due to their skin color, Even though it is an immoral act, the society separates by skin color and the population is forced between either agreeing or disagreeing with this prejudice. In conclusion, racism is a major factor intertwined in the novel, and it is executed excessively even though it is known to be wrong; however, it won’t be altered due to fear of being judged or segregated.

Works Cited

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central, 1960. Print.