"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

Essay by mlboy00High School, 11th gradeA, May 2003

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Prejudice if the hatred of others because they are different. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the effects of prejudice and racism are shown by the actions and words towards many characters. Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Dolphus Raymond were discriminated throughout the story; roomers were made up about them because people did not understand why they did what they did.

Tom Robinson is continually discriminated against throughout the story To Kill a Mockingbird. "Tom Robinson is a black man who finds himself in the most dangerous of circumstances. He is accused by a white woman, and whether he struggles with her or runs, he is guilty. (A3 p.41) In the town of Maycomb when a white person goes to court against a black person the white person always wins. Mayella Ewell accused Tom of taking advantage of her, in order to win the trial "She must destroy the evidence of her offense."(A1

p.283) Mayella lied about Tom because in Maycomb County it was wrong for a white person to like an African American. Atticus explained the fallacy of the courts, which is racism "In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins."(A1 p220) This shows that the Jury is not interested in the facts of the trial, they just believe that the black man is guilty. There are many symbols showing the prejudice nature of the citizens of Maycomb.

Symbolism plays a major role in the actions of the characters in the story To Kill a Mockingbird. "Scout and Jem, in their innocence, believe that the court is the structure in which Atticus can defeat the mad dog of irrationality and racism."(A3 p44) The jury is the symbol of irrationality and Atticus has to defeat them...