Race in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Example

Introduction

To kill a Mockingbird is a classic writing that is based on a young a girl called Jean Louise. Her father Atticus, who is a lawyer takes the case of defending a black man whose accusations are raping a white woman. The theme of race is evident in most sections of the book with the differences existing between the whites and the blacks. The trial of Tom Robinson is one of the most crucial and highly expected periods in the novel. The Ewell family are the representation of the lower class as they do not have money and also lack education.

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The reason behind conviction of Tom is the color of his skin which is black. The irony is a common literary technique that Lee uses in expressing her judgment on racism. This is evident during Tom Robinson's trial whereby Bob Ewell is invited to the stand. It is in a way ironic as, during the civil war, Robert E. Lee was known to be a Confederate soldier who contrasted slavery whereas Bob Ewell is the embodiment of a racist. Being southerners is the only common factor existing between them. Additionally, it is ironic that he finally pays with his life for the all the delinquencies committed even though it was not the law that ordered for his punishment. He could not have been a suspect of the daughter's attack since he was a white man and for this reason, no charges for the crimes. But in the end, his still pays. The irony is additionally evident when Scout's instructor ridicules Hitler for the prejudices in school while in actuality she is to only concerning a dissimilar race. The teacher wants to justify her behavior and at the same time act judgemental on other individuals. Another irony on the racial basis occurs when Mrs. Merriweather who is the church lady commends Mr. Everett's work for being involved with the African tribes but condemns Atticus defending Tom. In effect, two of these men aims at serving the less fortunate and the lowly represented social class.

Dimensions of Social Inequality

Social Inequality is an unenlightened ranking scale which was initiated by meek minded individuals who were controlled by fear of being outshined. Just like all gripe writings, To Kill a Mockingbird establishes a distinct circumstance for an ideal of social inequality. In her work, Harper Lee made an assertion that social inequality is complicated hierarchy which tends to affect all people. To be more specific, the author contends that the racial discrimination existent among the white and black in the 1930s led to high levels of stress and the point has been proven severally in the writing. Judgment among the people of Maycomb is dependent on the background and the wealth status in families. Besides judging one another in the community, the also discriminate the people that tend to be different from them.

When inequality becomes prevalent in society, there is the group of persons that are looked upon, and these people are not given the respect they deserve. People in a society will never be equal, and as a result, judgment is almost close to inevitable. Majority of people are very much aware that they are not supposed to judge others, but it is the nature of humans and consequently, there exist diverse section in communities. In the novel, inequality is brought by particular divisions in Maycomb Town. In this city, all the people that differ from the traditional southern conducts receive the small end of the stick. An apparent division in Maycomb society is Race whereby the white individuals are routinely visualized as good. On the other hand, the African American Race does not have any acknowledgment because according to the Maycomb populace, something is wrong about the black race, a thought that emanates only because this is not the tradition in the South. Tradition points out that white people will always be better than the black people, a fact that is certainly unquestionable in the town. This is evident in the name-calling and unfair trial that majority of humans in Maycomb goes on holding to the tradition. In fact, they don't seem to think that African Americans have a right to associate with the whites at any given time. Tom and Atticus are examples of characters experiencing this division.

Divisions Between the Rich and the Poor

Divisions between the rich and the poor is not a new conception. It is a perception that has been existent from the invention of power and money. Social inequality as a result of wealth is an intermittent theme in' To Kill a Mockingbird.' This is evident in one instance when Scout tries to elucidate to the new instructor the reason why Walter did not have the aptitude to pay for his lunch. Every person in town is aware that the Cunninghams are dirty and poor even though individually, they have not yet met one of the family. The Cunninghams are however esteemed in the writing because they didn't take things that they could not pay back and they only get by what they own.

Social Equality

Social equality is a right that should be accorded to every person. It is a fundamental poise that the law affords to every citizen, be they local or not. Some of the characters such as Boo Radley, Mayella Ewell, Dolphus Raymond and Tom Robinson, demonstrate the cost that has to be incurred when the ideal meaning of democracy is not remembered. Maycomb Alabama is a miniature for all types of snobberies and prejudgements that prevail in trivial towns throughout America. Harper Lee goes deeper to expose the lucidity behind the prevailing social order. She is also viciously sincere about divulging the shortcomings, which is most evident in the tussles that Dolphus Raymond, Mayella Ewell, and Water Cunningham go through. More importantly, the novel reveals the essence of education for the sake of literacy and its benefits as a supporter of social mobility and equality. Characters like Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Scout, see the significance of education thus they are the most generous and benevolent in how they treat other people. Conversely, characters like Mayella and Bon Ewell are seen to belittle learning thus they are more dreadful and doubtful of other people.

Social Inequality

The most insightful message on social inequality is present in Atticus's final comments to the jury. Atticus dissipates the actual credence that all people are created equal as written by Thomas Jefferson. He contends that the conviction is only an idea that is in most cases misused to do stupid things. Atticus asserts that as some people want us to believe, all men have not been created as equals because some tend to be smarter than others, some come across more opportunities than other individuals, some women bake tastier cakes while some were born with more gifts past the standard scope (Lanphear 55). Various instances in the writing such as the case of Burris Ewell and Ewell children tend to match the description of Atticus. For three years, Burris Ewell has been present in the first day of the first grade, but Ewell's kids are dispersed in grades in the entire school regardless of the datum that at no time are they present for more than a school day in the year. Nevertheless, just as Atticus asserts, instead of Ewell children remaining in the initial grade, even without earning a position, they go on getting a promotion. The mental volatility of Boo Radley is handled by shutting him away from the family home, and for all the abnormalities that take place in town, the blame is put on him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it has taken a lot for equality to be considered between the black and white communities even in the contemporary society. To kill a Mockingbird is a book whereby particular divisions bring inequality in Maycomb Town. All the people in the city that differ from the traditional southern conducts receive the small end of the stick. Atticus's final comments to the jury also support inequality. Atticus dissipates the actual credence that all people are created equal as written by Thomas Jefferson. Race and inequality go hand in hand as a high number of people discriminate against others based on color and status.

Works Cited

Lanphear, Joshua B. "Inherent Racial Biases Woven into America's Criminal Justice Institutions: A Reexamination of To Kill a Mockingbird." SSRN Electronic Journal, 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Essay:

How does Harper Lee use irony to convey her judgment on racism in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

Harper Lee uses irony in various scenes from her book To Kill a Mockingbird, such as Tom Robinson's trial and certain characters' actions, to showcase the hypocrisy and injustice of racial discrimination. For instance, Bob Ewell resembles Robert E. Lee (a Confederate soldier opposed to slavery) yet becomes the embodiment of racism himself; Scout's teacher criticises Hitler while harboring her own racism; these ironic situations expose society's disparate attitudes about race in an allegorically way.

How does social inequality manifest in Maycomb Town in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

Social inequality in Maycomb Town is depicted through divisions based on race and wealth. White population adheres to tradition in considering themselves superior to African-Americans while racism manifests itself through Tom Robinson's name-calling and unfair trial. Meanwhile, rich/poor divides are also prominent as seen with Cunningham family's poverty being widely known and their discrimination faced from society; Maycomb shows itself to be hierarchical, judging people according to their background and financial status.

How does Atticus address the issue of equality in his final comments to the jury?

Atticus challenges the common belief that all people are created equal, suggesting it can often be used to justify discrimination and injustice. He states that individuals possess different abilities, opportunities and talents. Atticus' statement captures the complexity of social inequality while stressing its necessity to recognize and address disparities within society.