Theme Of Appearance And Reality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Appearance vs Reality

Introduction

In her novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays a town in southern USA, plagued by the disease known as prejudice. Throughout the novel, the reader observes prejudice to 3 characters: Atticus Finch, who appears old and weak, and his own family regards him as a disgrace, without knowing why Atticus defended Tom; Arthur (Boo) Radley, is looked down on by society, illustrating how society can twist someone’s image although the only real fact that society has of him is him getting arrested for disorderly conduct and assault; and Dolphus Raymond, who is misunderstood as an uncivilized drunkard, showing that society judges on first appearances, without actually finding the truth of his actions.

Argument #1

Maycomb county judges Atticus Finch as old and weak; although, in reality he is humble, caring and talented. Scout’s own prejudice against her father is evident when she reflects in the novel that, “Our father didn’t do anything. He worked in an office, not in a drugstore, Atticus did not drive a dump truck for the county, he was not a sheriff, he did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone.” (118 Scout). Scout’s friends all have young fathers who are athletic and energetic and can do things that Atticus cannot due to his age; but Scout shows prejudice thinking that he is old and weak, without actually seeking the truth about the unique abilities that Atticus may have. She says that Atticus ‘did not do anything that could possible arouse the admiration of anyone’ (118 Scout) without actually knowing fully what her father can or cannot do. Further more, her naiveté is shown when she says that “he works in an office … did not d...

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... statement you must understand that as Jem and Scout matured they learned why Boo would not come out. Jem and Scout learn more about the community and realize that the prejudice about Boo is as deeply rooted into society as is racism. Scout’s understanding that revealing to the community that Boo is actually a good person would be like ‘shootin’ a mockingbird’ (370 Scout). She realizes that Boo is emotionally fragile because of the way that the community treats him, and that revealing his part in the death of Bob Ewell would be like ‘shootin’ a mockingbird’ (370 Scout). Scout realizes that Boo is shy and quiet and that forcing him into the spotlight would only harm him. Furthermore, it is also revealed that Boo is a kind person because he saves Jem’s life, although Jem mocked him throughout the novel and though that he ‘dined on squirrels’ (16 Scout/Jem)

Argument #3