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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD COURSEWORK

The trial of Tom Robinson is a clear example of racial prejudice at work. Examine the different forms of prejudice that occur in the novel. How has Harper Lee made her own views about prejudice clear? Prejudice is a word that describes the toleration of injustice and being biased towards one particular side. It will never stop between people, as justice is not always given every time. It occurs everywhere around the world from different countries down to students in schools and including workers. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird illustrates many types of prejudice such as racial and social which includes gender and class. The fiercest form of prejudice in the novel is racial. The most obvious aspect that shows this is in the trial of Tom Robinson. The fact is it should have never even appeared in court for there was no crime committed. The reason why it appeared in court is stated by Atticus Finch in chapter 20, page 224, She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honoured code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. Maycomb have certain customs and codes that when broken it is considered just as offensive as breaking a law. The real crime that Atticus was trying to point out was of Mayella Ewell, she deliberately tried to persecute an innocent black man, knowing that the advantage will be hers seeing that she is a white - this is considered as indirect murder, which is a crime. The whole case is partly due to fear and paranoia led to the white belief that black people desired all that white people had, including their woman; this favoured the verdict more towards Bob Ewell. Atticus having to defend Tom Robinson (a black man) is something the town has not witnessed before, because Maycomb is a town in which black and white people live together but do not connect their lives beyond the brief greeting. By Finch taking on Robinson's alleged rape case, it sets a change for the narrow-mindedness of the towns people and the injustice regularly inflicted upon the black community. The segregation between the black and white people is emphasised by the way the black people file in last and are seated in the balcony. There is also irony about the courthouse, because any other courthouse is meant to represent justice and equality, however here we see that the blacks and the whites have to sit separately and have their own specific place; clearly mocking the idea of equal status. In chapter 15, racial prejudice consumes the mob, which wishes to prevent Tom Robinson from even gaining a court hearing (the basic form of justice). In the trial, there was not even a doctor present who could testify that Tom could not have committed the crime because of his disability. On chapter 17, page 185, Mr Tate blinked again as if something had suddenly been made plain to him. demonstrates how obvious that Tom is innocent. Despite this, we know Tom is still going to be convicted because he is a black person and Bob Ewell is a white person. This means Ewell will have the upper hand, this is further assured and confirmed by Reverend Sykes when he states, I aint ever seen any jury decide in

English Diverse Cultures Coursework

favour of a coloured man over a white man (pg 230) We see the disagreement between Mayella and Toms stories. The polite language that Tom uses, not wishing to repeat in court Robert Ewells bad language (pg 215) or to say that Mayella is lying but repeating shes mistaken in her mind (pg 218). Such a huge difference in the way they hold themselves (the mannerisms of Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell) still makes no difference in the jurys eyes shows how racist they are in making their judgement. Mayella in contrast does not understand Atticuss polite language and when he calls her Maam she says to Judge Taylor I dont hafta take his sass (pg 200). Mr Gilmer doesnt accord the same respect when he is questioning Tom, addressing him patronisingly as boy (pg 218). When Tom shows that he felt sorry for Mayella (a crime worse than rape in the white jurys eyes), this could be seen as the lowest class of citizen showing superiority towards a class above (and a white woman). The white communitys fear of racial disturbance and their insecurities about their own position in society meant that Tom Robinson was found guilty. In our eyes, we do not see anything wrong with someone feeling sorry for someone else; however Lee takes the situation to an extreme level by creating a large amount of tension and forms the impression of such incredulity from the white people makes us see it was big matter for this kind of aspect to arise. For example, the way Mr Gilmer cuts through Toms sentence while he was in the middle of talking- shows that he was not even willing to hear him fully out once he had uttered those words about feeling sorry for Mayella. Tom knows that the white community will think it is completely insolent for him to feel sorry because of his skin colour. Toms words are a big mistake, because at that time, the nature of prejudice would not have allowed a black man to feel sorry for a white woman. In Mr Gilmers retort, he implies how ludicrous it is for a black man to feel sorry for a white woman under any circumstances, by repeating himself, (pg 128) You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her? Lee illustrates how this confession has created such awkwardness by describing how uncomfortable Tom began to feel as soon as he realised what he said. The short sentence But the damage was done. (pg 218) creates a sudden dramatic effect which adds to the atmosphere-creating more tension and suspense. Mr Gilmer paused a long time to let it sink in makes it almost sound as if allowing the jury to make their decision right there on the spot as if leaving no more room for any consideration. It seems as if right there is where Toms fate was sealed. The way Mr Gilmer accuses Tom that he is saying that Mayella is lying Then you say she is lying boy? implies that they do not even consider that the woman could be in fact not saying the truth this just shows how unfair they are being. Lee is clearly demonstrating that they cant seem to accept that Mayella, a white person could be lying but theyre all prepared to accept the fact that Tom, a black person is a rapist. The impression that the whole court case is giving is that the white community are so superior that none of them can even commit a crime or a terrible mistake. There is no question as to who is guilty when it comes to choosing between a black and white person and I believe this is exactly what Lee is trying to show. Gender is considered as part of the social prejudice. Local history in the novel tells us that the females at Finchs Landing were kept on a tight reign. At the time the novel is set, women were still regarded as unequal

English Diverse Cultures Coursework

to men. Scout learns about the womens position from: Miss Maudie in terms of religion, Atticus in terms of law- since women were not permitted to sit on the jury, (Ch 23, pg 244) For one thing, Miss Maudie cant serve on a jury because shes a woman. Scout learns much about her feminine role from Aunt Alexandra in terms of expected behaviour and dress. However, an idealised view of women was held at the time of the novel. The Southern Gentlemen was expected to show chivalry and protection to Southern Belles and the idea of Southern Womanhood was that women were to be worshipped and protected. We see therefore that by the time Tom Robinson had his hearing it was more complicated than racial prejudice. To some extent, social prejudice in terms of class and gender also contributed to the unjust verdict of guilty. Aunt Alexandra is fixated with hereditary and educating Scout and Jem about their family background. She will not allow Scout to bring a Cunningham, from a poor, conservative but proud and decent farming family, home to play, nor allow Scout to visit Calpurnia at her home. Scout takes in the caste system (pg 145), where, due to the inward growing and isolated nature of the community, distinct and very particular family characteristics have developed. We see how beneath the restrictions of the class system, there is further categorising of people in their presumptions about family groups, rather than seeing each person as an individual. It is ironic that Aunt Alexandra wants the children to appreciate their own family background, characterised as it was due to enslavement of the black people, when it is the freedom of Tom Robinson that Atticus is fighting for. The children know little about the Finch family and we get the impression that Atticus does not wish them to know their links with the past. They should form their own views about the world and not take on family airs and graces. In chapter 24, there is irony of the ladies conversation when there are black people in their own society living in similar conditions. Harper Lee brings this to the readers attention by Mrs Merriweathers use of alliteration of sin and squalor (pg 255), which is repeated for effect. As women, they cannot even do much in their position except acknowledge the fact (which they dont entirely do). The news of Toms death arrives during the missionary ladies tea party, making their talk seem trivial compared to the realities of the situation. We see from such a scene with the missionary ladies that it is perhaps necessary to have approved the black characters. Any bad traits like the sulking of the black community following the trial seem to be seized upon by the white community. It is possible that Harper Lee was aware of such attitudes in wider society and therefore made a conscious effort to focus on the good in the black characters. Lula May is the only black character with any negative characteristics. Critics of the novel have said the lack of such characters makes the novel unrealistic. However, at the time black people could not show their disapproval of white ways, for fear of prejudice and losing their jobs. Therefore perhaps it is realistic that black discontent can only shown to a child who is breaking the rules of segregation that have been imposed on the black people by the white people. Maycomb is a very religious town with the foot-washing Baptists. It appears that they have a strong impact over the community. They have extremely strong and strict views. Consequently, they are biased- even feel threatened against many people who possess different views and

English Diverse Cultures Coursework

thoughts from theirs. For example, when Miss Maudie says, some of em came out of the woods one Saturday and passed by this place and told me and my flowers we were going to hell? When Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her church (where black people worship) we learn that there are separate churches for the two different races, which is ironic to the Christian teachings, we see this more clearly when Calpurnia says, Its the same God aint it? (pg 131). We also learn later in Chapter 12, that Calpurnias son-Zeebo is one of the few black people that can read. This piece of information tells us a lot about the position of black people in society and their job opportunities. In Chapter 10, Zeebo comes to collect Tim Johnson, the mad dog, as his job is the local garbage collector is another feature that illustrates that there may be injustice between choosing between black and white candidates for jobs as well. There is also the fact that in Scouts school, there are no black children, which provides a reasonable explanation to the lack of job opportunities for the black community, seeing that they do not receive the proper education. Maycomb rejects outside influences because of the old-fashioned views. The towns backwardness is highlighted by seeing that there are no activities or past times in Maycomb- except gardening. A day was twenty four hours long but seemed longer. (pg 6) This is emphasised when Jem says, Dont have any picture shows here. During Scouts current affairs lesson it is said that, Few rural children had access to newspapers! suggest that perhaps the town does not want to be changed. This means that the attitude toward prejudice will remain the same. By making Miss Caroline a naive outsider, the author has a chance to acquaint the reader with Maycmbs inhabitants. We learn about the background of the Ewell and Cunningham families, which we need to know for later on in the story. We see how close-knit the Maycomb community is when the children are able to stereotype and generalise about particular groups of people that Miss Caroline, from North Alabama, cannot understand. You can see the social manners in Maycomb are somewhat abnormal because of the reaction of Miss Caroline when Walter Cunningham refuses to borrow money from her. Scout tries to explain Walter Cunninghams behaviour and is consequently punished. She becomes angry because of this and attempts a fight with Walter in the playground. Fortunately, Jem stops this and invites Walter back to the house for lunch. Calpurnias scolds Scout for commenting on Walters table manners, where she learns that despite whatever race or whoever the person is, when they are invited they must be treated as a guest- something of a contradiction to what Aunt Alexandra might have done as she did forbid Scout to invite a Cunningham into the house. Scout learns a lesson from Calpurnia on social manners, at the same time Lee is able to point out a moral to the readers, a technique frequently used. The same technique is employed when Atticus tells Scout that you cannot fully understand someone until you look at things from his/her point of view, his skin (Chapter 3, pg 33). Social prejudice is directed towards certain individuals that do not fit into the expected behavioural patterns of Maycomb, and about whom little is known about- for example the Radleys. They kept to themselves, and this happened to be a predilection unforgivable in Maycomb. (pg 10) The prejudice pointed specifically at Boo (Arthur Radley) is encouraged by superstition and rumours. The superstitious views on ghosts and stories that Jem and Scout learnt by growing up in Maycomb feeds into their fear

English Diverse Cultures Coursework

of Boo Radley. The Radleys also do not adapt to the other Maycomb ways. They also suffer religious prejudice because of social prejudice- you can see how both these aspects clashes together through this scenario; the Radleys keep themselves isolated, and since Mr Radley is a foot-washing Baptist he does not attend church meaning he probably does not socialize much as church is considered a social pass time. Dolphus Raymond is just another example who is set as an outsider because he is simply different. The interval with Dolphus Raymond gives the reader a breathing space from the intensity of the trial and foreshadows Atticuss views, expressed later, that black people are people like everyone else. This scene underlines the prejudices of the white community, hinting that if a white person loves a black person they have to have an excuse for it. Lee uses the symbolism of the mockingbird motif throughout the novel. The symbol for Boo Radley and Tom Robinson is not drawn together until Scouts comment at the end when she recognises that the public exposure of Boo would be sort of like shootin a mockingbird (pg 304). However, although not made explicit previously, it is apparent that both characters have the similar mockingbird motif traits such as; they both are victims of prejudice, they both show kindness- Boo to Jem and Scout, and Tom to Mayella, and finally theyre both are imprisoned and potentially vulnerable. Boo has to hide away from the world in order to protect himself from the harsh prejudice from the people of Maycomb. Tom is sent to prison at first, and later killed as result of peoples prejudice. The townspeople form a mob against Tom Robinson in order to ensure that he died for daring to commit a crime against a white woman. This is an example of killing a mockingbird because later in the story our suspicions are confirmed by Atticus that Tom is in fact, not guilty. Therefore, the phrase becomes a metaphor for discrimination. The rumours about Boo cutting up the Tribune and stabbing his father were told so many times that the entire town came to believe them. Consequently, the problem of discrimination was widespread during this generation, and Tom Robinson will remain a symbol of racism in the novel. Lee was trying to show discrimination for what it was a problem that affected all types of people of different religions and races as well as handicaps. Adults are the main teachers of discrimination because children learn by example. It is up to adults to change so they can teach their children. Harper Lee gives the impression that breaking down prejudice cannot be done on one day or in one go; but a baby step (Miss Maudie, pg 238) has to be taken instead. Lee explicitly reveals how prejudice can have such an impact on the lives of people, and implicitly uses the children- Scout and Jem to show how they have to suffer the injustice in the town where they dont quite understand why this is so but they must accept it.

English Diverse Cultures Coursework

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