Harper Lee in, To Kill a Mockingbird(TKAM) (1960), discusses her perspective on pertinent Formatted: Underline

societal issues and their impacts on the growth of individuals. Lee demonstrates how

prejudice can lead to social barriers and how an individual’s courage to stand up against

racism ingrained racial ideology can expose societal flaws and influence the perspective of Formatted: Strikethrough
Formatted: Font color: Auto
individual about prejudice. , leading to changes in the perceptions of individuals. She also Formatted: Strikethrough
Formatted: Font color: Auto
shows how exposure to racial injustices can lead to an individual’s maturity and shape their

understanding of the issues in society. Therefore, Lee expresses her perspective on

advocating courage to stand against prejudice to lead to the maturity of individuals and

inspire change. e

In TKAM, Lee criticises the oppressive nature of prejudice within society that can lead to

skewed perspectives of individuals resulting in social division. In the 1930s, racial

discrimination, enforced by the “Jim Crow Laws”, segregated society and was prevalent

during her childhood. Despite supposedly having ‘different but equal treatment’, they were

restricted to far inferior public facilities that accentuated their marginalisation in society. Lee

challenges the detriments of prejudice through the enforcing motif of a mockingbird “ that

don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out”, to represent the innocence and purity of Tom

Robinson, an African-American. The symbolism of Robinson as a mockingbird highlights how

vulnerable he is as a victim against Maycomb’s discrimination. The pervasive societal

stereotyping of African American’s as immoral individuals is typified by anaphora in “that all

Negroes, lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be

trusted”. The use of negative diction affirms the contextual notion that all African-Americans

were inferior to the ‘white’ society. Furthermore, the use of rhetoric question in Lula’s

antagonising tone ‘ It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’ when Jem and Scout enters the black

church, conveys Lula’s sense of self-entitlement and privilege which emphasises the racial
division. It shows the resentment felt towards the white society as a result of the separation

between the two communities. Thus, Lee exposes the debilitating impacts of the social

inequality established from prejudice can lead to segregation in society.

Lee discusses how courage to challenge discrimination within society can expose the flaws

within society to influence change in individuals. Atticus’ strong morals and values motivate

him with the courage needed to defend Tom Robinson despite that ‘ he has everything to

lose’. Scout’s inability to comprehend Atticus’ motives, indicated by her puzzled tone , “ If

you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it?”, conveys Atticus’ courage in

repudiating racist societal attitudes. It is through his determined pursuit of justice that Atticus

is able to fight for Tom Robinson, despite the evident inequalities faced by African-Americans.

Atticus responds, “if I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country

in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” The repetition

of “I couldn’t” expresses Atticus’ resolute morals to Scout, who realises the systemic

inequality that exists in Maycomb. Mr. Underwood also displays courage through the

forthright, outspoken tone, “[he] likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of

songbirds” directly revealing the wrong and injustice that caused Tom’s death. He “couldn’t

have cared less who cancelled advertising and subscriptions” as long as he proclaim to the

town of Maycomb the deeply embedded flaws that is the prejudice. Thus, Lee expresses the

significance of courage to opposing injustice within society to promote equality.

Additionally, Harper Lee demonstrates how exposure to injustice can expediate to the

development and maturity of an individual. Scout’s understanding of the prejudice prevalent

in her society catalyses her maturation from naivety to being social aware. Initially, Harper

characterises Scout as a naïve individual through her use of derogatory language when she
asks, “ Do you defend niggers, Atticus?’. Harper’s use of the slang ‘niggers’ highlights Scout’s

ignorance of the racial prejudice that exists within her community. However, after she

understands the injustice present, she quickly matures and it becomes the “first time [she]

ever walked away from a fight”. Throughout the trial, Scout quickly gains an understanding

of the injustice present within her society. In her self-realisation, the metaphor in “Then Mr

Underwood’s meaning became clear... but in the secret courts of men’s heart Atticus had no

case”, presents Scout’s newfound maturity and her understanding that prejudice was so

deeply engrained within the town that no matter what Atticus did, it would not have changed

anything. Her experiences of the trial and the Bob Ewell incident let her realise that “Well,

it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?”. The recurring motif of the

mockingbirds demonstrates how Scout finally realises the unfairness of the treatment

towards these “mockingbirds” due to the injustice that exist. Even despite all the good and

“music” that they bring to the community, Scout understands that they will still suffer from

the oppressive adversities that stems from the prevalent prejudice within the community.

Therefore, Lee emphasises that facing adversities within society can act as the catalyst for the

growth of individual.

Lee discusses her perspective on the segregation of society through her exploration of

courage challenging prejudice to encourage the development and growth of individuals.

Thus, Harper Lee through TKAM, demonstrates the importance of these issues in our modern

society.