Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In the story To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, there are a collection of themes that contributes to the progress of the novel. The themes are shown through the character’s actions, words and symbols in the story. Courage is displayed by the character’s actions and thoughts, discrimination is shown throughout the story by the character’s words and also during the trial. The theme of growing up is proven by Scout’s and Jem’s actions at the end of the novel. By examining the themes of To Kill A Mockingbird the reader can see the themes of courage, discrimination and growing up. The themes play a major role in the novel by making the readers think and look deeper in the story. The themes of courage are shown many times throughout the story.…show more content…
Discrimination is shown by both white and black people during the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Aunt Alexandra discriminates Walter Cunningham because she thinks he is trash, and she does not want Scout to adapt his habits. Aunt Alexandra says to Scout, “Because he is trash that’s why you can’t play with him. I’ll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning lord knows what. You’re enough of a problem to your father as it is.” (p.301). Aunt Alexandra forbids Scout to invite Walter for lunch because she thinks the Cunningham’s are trash. Another scene in the book that shows discrimination is when Calpurnia puts her life in danger to warn everybody in the town about the mad dog. When she knocks on the Radley’s door no one acknowledge her. Scout says, “She’s supposed to go around in the back.” (p.124). Mr. Arthur (Boo) did not open the door for Calpurnia because she did not use the servant’s door which is in the back. This is a form of discrimination because Calpurnia is only trying to warn the town about the mad dog. Negros were not allowed to interact with white people, coloured people had separate: washrooms, drinking fountains and churches. Lula adds, “you ain’t got no business bringin white chillum here they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, miss cal?” (p.158). This quote demonstrates discrimination towards white people because Lula did not want Jem and Scout to attend First Purchase. Lula believes that if coloured folks were not allowed to attend white folk’s church then white people should not attend coloured folks church. All three characters prove that discrimination is universal and anyone, white or black, can
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