How does racial injustice lead to the unravelling of both individuals and society? Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird poses this profound question, illuminating the human cost of bigotry and systemic prejudice. This novel, first published in 1960 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize, is much more than a story of youth—it is a core work of African American literature, which, surprisingly, is as topical today as it was fifty years ago.
Let’s begin by uncovering the historical backdrop that shaped this powerful story. As focusing on the themes of racism in the racially segregated setting of the Deep South of the 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird analyses how the racially based hatred affects people through the perspective of childhood, principles, and integrities, and concrete injustice. This blog is a reflection on how Lee made her story to encompass themes of racial injustice, why these aspects were important in her time, and why they are important today.
In the racially divided society depicted in the novel, racial inequality is deeply ingrained, shaping the lives and interactions of its characters. Through Scout Finch’s innocent eyes, readers witness the pervasive effects of prejudice and discrimination, as well as the moral courage required to challenge the status quo.
Harper Lee crafted her story to shed light on the harsh realities of racial injustice that plagued the South during that era. By intertwining the personal growth of Scout and her brother Jem with the trial of Tom Robinson, Lee confronts readers with the stark contrast between the ideals of justice and the harsh realities of a deeply prejudiced society.
Whether you have actually read the book, are teaching it, or are simply interested in its themes, get ready to look at one of the most longstanding features of this beloved American novel—race relations.
The Historical Context of To Kill a Mockingbird
Now, let’s dig deeper into the societal norms of 1930s Alabama and how they serve as a backdrop for the story. In order to consider the topic of the racial prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird one has to look at the period in which the book was written.
Social Life in the 1930s Alabama as a Segregated State
The story is situated within Maycomb, a fictitious town in Alabama, in the 1930s. In this period, Jim Crow laws in the South instituted segregation between races, disenfranchised African Americans, and extended the effects of that into systematic discrimination. No possibility for social mobility or any equality for Black Americans—educational, employment, justice—no area where they could survive the insurmountable barrier.
Harper Lee’s Maycomb was a typical small town: one that was filled with fear and hate, separating and oppressing its Black population, keeping them from their rights and even their humanity.
Now, we’ll explore how Harper Lee weaves the harsh realities of racial injustice into the fabric of her narrative.
The Scottsboro Boys Trial
Another important source that did shape To Kill a Mockingbird as a novel was the real trial of the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teenagers condemned for raping two white ladies in 1931 on the basis of false witnesses. Similarly with the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson, the Scottsboro boys were falsely accused and condemned by the machinery of institutionalized hate. References of this trial are felt throughout the novel right from the ill-mannered courtroom scenes and through the never tiring zeal exhibited by the few who are willing to bear the injustice of their generation.
Key Characters Shaping the Discussion on Racial Inequality
Lee’s themes arising from racism become alive through her symbiotic characters, which bear the textures of racist America, their struggles, broken codes of morality, and virtues.
Atticus Finch: The Triumph of Moral Courage
This is perhaps the most important thematic strand running through the novel; Maycomb’s noble lawyer, Atticus Finch is perhaps the only source of positive moral strength against a sea of prejudice. That he accepted to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman despite the pressure from his people, shows his tenacity to work until he gets justice.
Indeed, the quote used by Atticus, which is one of the most famous quotes in this novel, where he says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” epitomizes the plea for empathy as the triumph over hatred. Still, despite Atticus’ impassioned argument in which the evidence is provided that proves Tom’s innocence to the accusations made against Robinson, the jury sentences Robinson, thus proving that the force of bigotry cannot be defeated.
Tom Robinson: Innocence Compromised: A Symbol
From a European perspective, Tom Robinson embodies the vulnerability of the innocent in a world ruled by racial hatred. In addition to being portrayed as honorable and kind, he is also painted as open to people’s dangerous whims in a community that has shunned him for the color of his skin. Despite a fair trial, he is put to death, leaving a lasting impression on readers due to the white man’s unfair treatment of blacks.
Scout and Jem Finch: Witnesses to Prejudice
Quite realistically, Harper Lee demonstrates how Scout and Jem Finch grow wiser and get hurt by bigotry. Scout’s naïveté prevents her from fully grasping the implications of prejudice, allowing readers to see the absurdity of racial prejudice through a child’s eyes. Meanwhile, Jem loses his innocence, symbolizing the justice system’s failure to combat the pervasive evil in Maycomb.
Mayella and Bob Ewell: Perpetuating Racial Hatred
On the lower end of the morality scale are Mayella and Bob Ewell, who frame Tom Robinson to uphold the status quo of Mayella’s white elites or escape responsibility for their wrongdoing. These actions reveal the depth of racial animosity and the lengths to which people will go to maintain their entitlement.
Events That Illustrate Racial Injustice
The trial of Tom Robinson
Let’s have a closer look at the trial of Tom Robinson, a pivotal moment that exposes the prejudiced justice system.
The trial of Tom Robinson serves as the climax of the novel, where the themes of racial inequality and injustice are brought to a head. In this critical event, readers witness firsthand the insidious nature of racism and its impact on both individuals and society as a whole.
Despite overwhelming evidence in favor of Tom’s innocence, he is ultimately convicted by an all-white jury. This outcome highlights the deeply ingrained biases and prejudices held by those in positions of power, who prioritize maintaining racial hierarchies over seeking justice.
Atticus’ Closing Argument
Atticus’ closing argument is one of the novel’s most iconic moments, showcasing both his eloquence and humanity. He implores the jury to judge the case on evidence rather than race, reminding them, “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller… That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”
Through Atticus’ closing argument, Lee delivers a powerful message about the true purpose of the justice system—to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of race. His words continue to resonate today as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in our society.
The Tragic Aftermath
In the novel, Tom Robinson’s death is one of the most shocking events: he tries to escape after being unfairly convicted. This tragic event highlights the hopeless circumstances in which Black Americans exist, deemed unworthy by society. It symbolizes the societal failure to protect innocent individuals from cruelty.
Why To Kill a Mockingbird Still Relevant Today
Let’s discuss why this novel is still relevant today. Lee employs the perspective of children to give adult readers a reality check on the prejudices they grow up with. By narrating events through Scout, the author makes those prejudices appear wholly unreasonable and absurd, as the main character embodies pure insight, while the adults of Maycomb are shown to be deeply racist.
Morality and Empathy in Children
Of the work’s many strong points, none is as admirable as the portrayal of moral courage – the fight against injustice, even at great personal risk. This lesson delivered by Atticus Finch serves as an everlasting reminder that evil cannot be ignored.
A Timeless Call for Justice
To Kill a Mockingbird continues to serve as an example of how literary works can change the world. Through its theme of racial prejudice, Harper Lee’s work remains relevant in the modern struggle for the recognition of the rights of black people as equal citizens. Lee’s opus is a powerful reminder that change is driven by those who are ready to embrace it and compels others to listen. This book remains as impactful today as when it was first written, offering benefits to both first-time and returning readers.
