“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is one of the most renowned pieces of literature of the 20th century. This novel follows the life of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus. In the novel, Atticus is an attorney for Tom Robinson, A black man falsely accused of rape in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. The book has won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, and has sold 30 million copies worldwide. Many underlying themes may be found in the story, especially those of social and racial prejudice. In the words of Atticus, it encourages the reader to “put on someone else’s shoes and walk around in them”. Furthermore, one may learn to empathize with the characters and apply such themes to their own self.
One prime example of racial injustice and prejudice is the case of Tom Robinson. Tom was a hard worker, a husband, and a father. He was falsely accused of rape by Bob and Mayella Ewell, and despite obvious evidence proving his innocence he was found guilty. While in prison, Tom was shot 17 times by guards because he supposedly tried to run and escape. However, given the racial prejudice of people of the time, perhaps their only motive was nothing other than the color of his skin. As Atticus said “what was one Negro, more or less, among 200 of them? He wasn’t Tom to them, he was an escaping prisoner”. He also says “in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal”. One can see that despite this, and even though the people of Maycomb knew the Constitution, stating that “all men are created equal”, their racial prejudice leads them to not accept it.
Social inequality is another recurring theme throughout the plot. The Ewells and Cunninghams are examples of this as they are seen to have no place in society. The Ewells are not accepted by whites because of their status, and are not accepted by blacks because they are white. Aunt Alexandra also goes on to call Walter Cunningham “trash”, an example of daily life prejudice, she did not know him personally , only by his looks and actions was the comment made. The fact that the Ewells only live up the road from the black community could also go to show that socially, they are only one step above them and that is solely because of the color of their skin. Another thing that comes with social inequality is embarrassment. This can be seen by Mr. Cunningham when Scout asks him about his entailments at the courthouse, as his demeanor changes from aggressive to somewhat sullen. His embarrassment may show that he is very insecure about how he is perceived by others. Perhaps one could even say that social inequality is just as relevant today as it was back then.
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Finally, a rather unexpected example of society’s perception is Atticus. This can be seen by the way he is criticized for defending Tom Robinson. Also in the way that Jem and Scout were treated by the town for their fathers actions and morals. Some examples of this would be the way that Mrs. Dubose would curse Jem and Scout for their father’s sake, and the fact that they were targeted by Bob Ewell after the trial because of Atticus. However one may find it significant, that despite all the criticism and hatred that was rained down upon Atticus and his children, still he stood firm and what he believed and what he stood for.
Perhaps it is the racial and social circumstances found within this book that make it applicable to one’s own self. Perhaps this novel tests the reader’s morals and values and gives them a point of view that maybe they’d never fathomed before. It is these circumstances and tests that give this book it’s significance. It is these things that cause one to “put on someone else’s shoes and walk around in them”. It encourages one to reconsider how they perceive their neighbors, and even how they perceive themselves.
