How Does Lee Present Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Prejudice influences Jem for the better and help him better understand why people act in certain ways. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, illustrates the effect prejudice has on everyone. Whether one witnesses, engages, or experiences, prejudice is everywhere one looks in Maycomb. Sometimes it’s hiding under the gravel, other times it’s in the courthouse sitting on the witness stand. Throughout the book, Jem experiences discrimination in three ways, turning him into the person he is at the end of the novel. Seeing people’s reactions to prejudice, whether they experience or witness it, help him recognize more in the world.
At the beginning of the book, Jem listens to Maycomb and the rumors about Arthur (Boo) Radley. Until one night, he realizes

Dubose’s rude and unnecessary remarks about Atticus. As Jem and Scout walk home, Jem’s anger takes control of his actions. “... Jem snatched my baton and ran flailing wildly up the steps into Mrs. Dubose’s front yard…. He did not begin to calm down until the ground was littered with dubs and leaves” (Lee 102-103). During the time when Mrs. Dubose repeats prejudice phrases about Atticus, Jem both experiences and witnesses discrimination. He saw Mrs. Dubose hollering about Atticus. He also suffers from discrimination because Mrs. Dubose thought Atticus is in the wrongdoing because he is defending an African American, Tom Robinson. In that period, white people arewere considered superior when compared to African Americans. Therefore, Mrs. Dubose thought that Tom must be guilty because he is an African-American. She thought Atticus shouldn’t defend him because of that. Atticus gave Jem a firm talking to about what he did. He would’ve made Jem read to her due to her addiction. At the end of the chapter, readers see Jem change. Scout witnesses something as Jem went off to bed: “He picked up the camellia, and when I went off to bed, I saw him fingering the wide petals” (Lee 112). Atticus stopped talking; Jem seems to notice how calm Atticus is about the situation. Atticus’s reaction to prejudice changed Jem. He sees his courage and looks deeper into what Atticus is telling him. His

Pushing him towards the correct path in the world. Before they had encounter Arthur, they listen to the city, and all of the hoaxes spread around the city about “Boo.” Then, he encounters strange episodes that may have something to do with Arthur. Jem finally throws the rumors about Arthur away and forms his opinion from his point of view. Seeing Atticus’s reaction to experiencing prejudice changes Jem. Jem emulates Atticus, so him seeing his father act out of kindness and condolence influenced Jem and his actions. If people today are asked if prejudice controls our choices, what would the answer