The Theme of Prejudice In To Kill A Mocking Bird

The Theme of Prejudice In To Kill A Mocking Bird

A dominant theme in the novel 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' is the cruelty

that people inflict upon others. In the small old, tired town of

Maycomb most people do not hold on to their convictions when they are

put under pressure from others and as result lose their individuality

and suffer from prejudice.

From the beginning of the novel we are shown prejudice by the

children's prejudice towards Arthur Radley. Who at the age of 18

committed a crime and due to strong beliefs of his father a Baptist

minister was locked up from society. He is a victim of strong social

prejudice. Boo is at the centre of gossip and superstition. He is a

character surrounded with mystery and suspense. At first we do not

know whether or not the eerie tale's surrounding Boo are true or not.

Miss Maudie tells us a non-bias character that " Miss Stephanie

Crawford even told me once she woke up in the middle of the night and

found him looking in the window at her." In which she replies "what

did you do Stephanie, move over in bed and make room for him?"

Suggesting that she does not follow the ways of others and judge Boo

as she believes that everyone has their faults and that no one is

perfect. Scandalous rumours such as Boo breathing on azaleas froze in

a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them or that any

stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work make him

appear as a kind of monster. But gradually as the children grow they

become more friendly and understanding towards Boo. Taking on board

Atticus's teachings that you could not possible know another persons

situation unless you stand in ...

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...gifts Mr Nathan Radley covers up the whole in the tree stopping

all communication. At the end of the novel we then find out that Boo

is a normal decent man who saves Jem and Scout from Mr Bob Ewell when

he attacks them after the Halloween event. Tom on the other hand could

not prevent his prejudice and no matter what a great caring and loving

man he was would never be respected or believed over a white women. "

I did not appreciate the subtlety of Tom's predicament, he could not

have dared to strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect

to live long, so he took the first opportunity to run."

By the end of the novel Scout and Jem have grown up and realised that

they do not have to follow the ways of Maycomb but to stand up for

what they believe in and not to follow the town's prejudice and evil,

cruel ways.