Social Outcasts In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird, wreathed in racism, innocence, and ignorance, explores the concept of imprisonment. The consequences of extended confinement continually fill the pages of this twentieth century novel. Confined by his moral biases, Atticus Finch, Maycomb’s town lawyer, helps the less fortunate: the social outcasts. As a result of the overbearing, emotionally and physically brutish father, the town’s resident ghost, Boo Radley, suffers exclusion from the rest of society. The Black American community, reflected through the trial of Tom Robinson, suffers under the prejudice of Alabama’s racist white population. The social walls of Maycomb County create impenetrable confines that victimize every resident of the town.

He, as in the case of Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch, becomes a victim of the judicial system. Flaws come to light in the judicial system during the trial of Tom Robinson when the jury silently convicts the defendant guilty before the trial begins. Then Mr. Underwood 's meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men 's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241). The overwhelming amount of prejudice present in the South during this period ensured an unfair outcome in the trial of Tom Robinson. Coming in with prejudices and stereotypes meant that the actual trial showed little to no purpose; the jury had already made their decision as to the guilt of Tom. Such a system as this takes people’s fears and biases and fashions weapons to slaughter the accused. Despite his own awareness, Judge John Taylor watches helplessly as the jury convicts an innocent man. Racism becomes judge, jury, and executioner for both Atticus and Tom as well, foiling Atticus’ chances at freeing Tom and Tom’s own chances at returning home to his family. These confines of the legal system prevent the Judge from doing what he knows in his heart is right and bind him tightly with laws of

Characters must find courage from within to overcome their obstacles or succumb to the boundaries placed before them. Scout Finch constantly struggles with her femininity, rejecting the girlishness thrust upon her by the women in her life. Boo Radley overcomes his own confines to liberate the children from their attacker. Despite the many predestined outcomes, Atticus Finch strives to conquer the system he has ingrained himself in. Through dynamic characterization and flawless storytelling, Harper Lee reveals the courage and perseverance prevalent in all humanity. Many are caught in a trap of society, one overcome simply by taking heart and finding the nerve to take the next step. All around lie manacles of humanity, choking the life of civilization, waiting for a Samson to shatter the custom and shake society to its