Examples Of Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Harper Lee effectively conveys prejudice and injustice in various ways and by putting the overarching idea of racism into perspective. The hierarchy that exists within Maycomb represents the preconceptions of the citizens and identifies injustice as the effect. Symbolism depicts the unfair treatment characters receive by forming a comparison with mockingbirds. Lastly, unfolding the story from Scout’s view provides a deep insight into the overall situation regarding inequality and racial segregation in America.

The prevalent caste system and racial hierarchy embedded in the culture of Maycomb reflect the height of prejudice and injustice in the 1930s. The racial hierarchy mirrors eurocentric views as it

Tom Robinson and Boo Radley embody innocence and ‘don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy [and] sing their hearts out for us,’ yet they were subjected to hurtful judgment by society’s narrow-minds [p.100]. Tom, a righteous man who pities Mayella Ewell and helps her out of his goodwill is referred as a ‘black nigger yonder ruttin’ on...Mayella’ by Bob Ewell during the trial [p.190]. Likewise, Boo Radley, labelled as the ‘malevolent phantom’ is tormented based on evil rumours about his reclusive nature [p.9]. He is actually affectionate towards Jem and Scout and expresses this by leaving gifts for them in the tree hole and saving their lives when they were attacked. This demonstrates that both characters intended no harm and instead showed kindness. However, Tom’s nature is deliberately mistaken for a dishonorable motive, as the derogatory accusation degrades him to the level of an animal and emphasizes that his race determines his worth. Similarly, Boo is misinterpreted negatively as everyone holds him accountable for the ‘stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb’; therefore, showing these characters are mockingbirds [p.9]. The fact that ‘Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth’ reiterates the fact that the black community are victims of social injustice and the persecution of Boo

Over time, by observing the incidences around her, Scout is able to analyse the distinct layers within them and make sensible judgments. For example, when Calpurnia takes her to the African American church, Scout learns the harsh truth that ‘Negroes worshipped in [the church] on Sundays and white men gambled in it on weekdays’ [p.130]. Moreover, Scout notices a difference in the way Calpurnia converses with the African Americans, similar to when she learns that Dolphus Raymond felt obliged to act drunk to avoid the humiliation of being married to a black woman. Whilst at the church, she witnesses the superiority white people felt as they cheapened a religious place to the level of gambling. Her reflection on Cal and Dolphus’ behavior allows her to understand ‘Maycomb’s usual disease,’ as she learns that they behave in such ways to fit in, otherwise, they will be outcaste in their own community [p.98]. Her conclusion about these events demonstrates that there is no equality and ‘people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up’ which is what Lee is trying to convey [p.98]. Scout’s learning experiences are used as an opportunity to exhibit society’s discriminatory beliefs, intolerance and the fact that ‘Maycomb county… had nothing but to fear itself’ in the long run