What does To Kill a Mockingbird teach us about
the destructive nature of prejudice and
discrimination?
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is an insightful and thought-provoking
novel that explores the destructive nature of prejudice and discrimination. Set
in the 1930s in the Deep South of America, the novel tells the story of a young
girl, Scout Finch, and her experiences of growing up in a society that is
plagued by prejudice and discrimination.
Throughout the novel, Lee uses a range of literary techniques, including
symbolism, metaphor, and characterisation, to explore the theme of prejudice
and discrimination. One of the most powerful symbols in the novel is the
mockingbird, which represents the innocent and vulnerable members of
society who are harmed by prejudice and discrimination.
The novel also explores the damaging effects of racism on both the victims
and the perpetrators of discrimination. We see this through the
characterisation of Bob Ewell, who is so consumed by his prejudice and
hatred that he is willing to destroy the life of an innocent man, Tom Robinson.
Through the characterisation of Atticus Finch, the novel also offers an
alternative to the destructive nature of prejudice and discrimination. Atticus is
a man who is committed to justice and equality, and who is willing to stand up
for what is right, even when it is not popular.
Ultimately, To Kill a Mockingbird teaches us that prejudice and discrimination
are destructive forces that have the power to harm both individuals and
society as a whole. The novel encourages us to recognise the harm that these
forces can cause and to work towards a society that is based on justice and
equality.
References:
Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: HarperCollins.
Kaplan, E. (1999). Rereading To Kill a Mockingbird. In M. J. Meyer (Ed.), Harper Lee's To
Kill a Mockingbird: New Essays (pp. 63-77). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.
Johnson, C. (2004). To Kill a Mockingbird: Threatening Boundaries. Mississippi Quarterly,
58(1/2), 101-114.